9th Annual ABC-OC Trendsetter Awards at Soka University

As Co-Director of ABC Orange County this year, I had the honor and privilege of planning two of our eleven events - our Kickoff January Meeting at Fete the Venue, and our 9th Annual Trendsetter Gala, which was held at Soka University last week.

ABC-OC (otherwise known as the Association of Bridal Consultants) is a networking group for wedding professionals all over the country, and we are proud to have the biggest chapter in the entire nation. The Orange County chapter is one of few that meets every single month, has its very own YouTube channel (more on that in the next blog!) and throws extravagant events to inspire and give our members opportunities to show off their talents - we are truly cutting edge!

We are also the only chapter to host an awards ceremony like this one, and honor our members with trophies and swag bags, Oscars-style. Seriously - the first time I attended this event back in 2015, I was blown away by the production + the glamour of it all.

As Co-Director this year, I led the Orange County chapter alongside my co-director (last year, it was Kelsey Sage with K.Sage Events and this year I am so excited to co-direct for year number two with my soul brother, Jay to my Tyra, good friend, and colleague (he plans for Leilani!), Eric Acuna with Friar Tux.

Back in 2013, I was a girl with a dream, but I had no idea that just a few short years later, I would have a thriving business, a strong team, a growing company (we have expanded to New York, Hawaii and Mexico!) and an ever-evolving brand with the opportunity to work with some of the most creative, talented, dynamic people in the industry! Now this opportunity to lead my community feels like a dream.

I feel so lucky.

I started attending these meetings in 2015 while working for another planning company and knew from the start that I wanted to get involved once I had my own business. Fast-forward to 2017 and I joined the Programs Committee where I had the opportunity to plan two out of ten monthly meetings. From there, I was appointed Co-Director of the chapter, which truly still feels so surreal even as I type this now.

With 37 vendors, a logistically challenging alternative space as our venue (see below to see what I mean!), an awards ceremony, fashion show, dancers, artists, 300 guests in attendance and three outfit changes (so extra, right?! lol), this was hands down the most detailed event I’ve ever had the honor of planning.

YES. We transformed a gymnasium into a magical event space. Crazy.

It took two days…

37 vendors + a lot of vision to make this evening come to life.

For the first time in Trendsetters history, the president of our organization, Mr. David M. Wood joined us for the evening, traveling from the East Coast to congratulate us on the success of the chapter. Unreal.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TRENDSETTERS HISTORY, THE PRESIDENT OF OUR ORGANIZATION, MR. DAVID M. WOOD JOINED US FOR THE EVENING, TRAVELING FROM THE EAST COAST TO CONGRATULATE US ON THE SUCCESS OF THE CHAPTER.

Our theme for the event was

OC Does The Met

inspired by the 2018 Met Gala. We wanted to create a sultry, avant garde, magical evening defined by the arts, and we did just that. From a strolling magician and a live painter who performed at cocktail hour, to contemporary dancers who opened up the main event, a live calligrapher, fashion show and modern “band” made up of two DJ’s, a singer and a saxophonist, the entertainment was top notch.

In terms of design, we wanted things to feel regal yet whimsical and modern all at the same time, so we played around with colors, textures, and florals, mixing clear menus with more opulent linens, and modern white tables with bohemian florals - including my personal favorite, PAMPAS GRASS! (for anyone who knows me, you know I am obsessed with the stuff).

Another highlight of the evening was being able to present special awards to a few members of our committee, including our good friends VOX DJ’s, who we presented Elevation of Industry.

We cannot thank the following creatives enough for their time, talents, service, products, dedication, + labor of love to make it all happen for us.

PLANNING & DESIGN: @K.SAGEEVENTS @LEILANIWEDDINGS

VENUE: @SOKAUNIV

CATERING: @JASONSCATEREDEVENTS

BAR: @COCKTAILCONCIERGE

PHOTOGRAPHY: @VILLAVISUALS

VIDEOGRAPHY: @HOO_FILMS

FLORIST: @LITTLEHILLDESIGNS

RENTALS: @BRIGHTEVENTRENTALS

ENTERTAINMENT: @ELEVATEDPULSE

LOUNGE: @ADOREFOLKLORE

LINENS + NAPKINS: @BBJLINEN

OUTDOOR LIGHTING: @AMPERSAND.EVENTS

INDOOR LIGHTING: @VOXDJS

LIVE FEED: @GODFATHERFILMS

LIVE ARTISTS: @JOHNNYWUMAGIC @JOHNGARCIA_URBANART @CALLIGKATRINA WITH MIRRORS BY @SQUAREROOTDESIGNS

PHOTOBOOTH: @GCMASTERPIECE

LED TREES: @LIGHTUPMYHOLIDAY

REAL TREES: @GREEN_EFFECT1

INVITATION & DAY-OF SIGNAGE: @TYPEJCREATIVE

DANCEFLOOR: @HCD_PORTABLE_DANCEFLOORS

CARPETING: @EVENTCARPETPROS

DRAPING: @BSPOKEEVENTS

DESSERT: @SAMSAMMCUSTOMCAKES

COFFEE BAR: @URBANESPRESSO

WEDDING GOWN DESIGNER: @AMANDAJAMESDESIGN

TUXES: @FRIARTUX

GLAM: @BRELUXE

BODY PAINTING: @FACE_IT_SUGAR

HAIR ACCESSORIES + CROWNS: @MJFBRIDAL @BRIDESANDHAIRPINS

FASHION SHOW MANAGEMENT: @RCMODELMANAGEMENT

PRODUCTION MANAGER: @CEIGERS