Be Bold! WPIC’s 2015 Kick-off Event

by Kaley Campbell, WPIC Office Manager

All Photography by: Cardozo Photography unless otherwise stated

Thursday February 19^th, 2015 marked my first ever WPIC kick-off. And WHAT a kick-off! Here at WPIC we have been working our butts off on some of the upcoming exciting events we have in store for WPIC Alumni and future Alumni and therefore I didn’t even get the time to look into all the amazing things our wonderful reps had in store for the kick-off!

I showed up lazily at 4pm; sweat pants, clean face and hair up in a bun to help set up the WPIC step-and-repeat, and I see the sneak peek of what was in store for the rest of the night. Everything was perfect. All the lovely reps were decked out in their “burlesque best”, there was a cigar rolling booth, a nail decorating booth, a cake baker booth, a photo booth, a balloon pop, a gelato stand and more. The ballroom was decorated in gorgeous linens and floral arrangements that suited the theme to a “T”. I definitely had to up my game from the attractive sweatpants I rolled in with. I had the privilege of getting ready in one of the lovely rooms Eaton Chelsea has to offer, due to the fact that Danielle Andrews Sunkel knew better than to even consider late night drives when we would be up all night. Little did she know that she was going to be stuck with a roommate for the evening, because once the music started, I was not leaving the dance floor.

 

   

The event started with a fantastic social hour, where I got to meet so many fantastic (and talented!) alumni. Everyone was enjoying the drink tickets that were passed out, the food that was offered, and the shirtless eye candy that was taking pictures with all the guests.

 

We moved into the ballroom for an amazing three course meal.

“The First Glance” – a delicious salad composed of sautéed mushrooms, pecans, raspberries, boursin crumble, all on a frisee nest.
“The Embrace” – Brie and almond filled chicken with asparagus and potato.
“The Seduction”- Macaroon cloud with raspberry crème and chocolate.

During our meal an absolutely incredible painter, Olga Pankova, captured the essence of the night on a beautiful canvas. As a live event artist she really collects the energy from the event, something that is difficult to capture in any other way.

(photos below from Danielle Andrews Sunkel)

 

Our talented DJ was Devon John, and the Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Wayde Salmon, both of D&W Entertainment Group.

These gentlemen had quite the evening hosting all of us planners, but did it with humour and entertainment that kept everyone laughing. We were educated by Leyla Rezeghi from Diva Girl, Rebecca Babineau from the Eaton Chelsea, and Wayde Salmon from D&W Entertainment.

 

Chocolates were won and prizes were given away all evening. No one left empty handed. Our meal concluded with tying the theme off with two very talented, very swanky, sizzling burlesque dancers that definitely “shook up” the crowd.

Some of us said our goodbyes there, while lots of us piled on the dance floor. WPIC’ers definitely know how to have a good time on the dance floor. Wayde and Devon stayed and entertained us late into the evening. Even when the lights came on the ladies were still getting down on the dance floor.

This experience was amazing and I know that all of us took something huge from it. Motivation, drive, and passion for the wedding industry is something that all of us share together, and to be able to have these nights for support and community within the industry is an absolute privilege that I don’t take lightly.

Who made this event amazing?
WPIC Ottawa Regional Representative & Event Planner: Apropos Productions
WPIC York & Barrie Regional Representative & Event Planner: Brocade Events
WPIC Kitchener/Waterloo Regional Representative & Event Planner: Dreamstyle Weddings
WPIC Halton Region & Event Planner: The Event Chick
Event Sponsor: The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada
Venue: Eaton Chelsea
Photographer: Cardozo Photography 
Event MC/DJ/Lighting: D&W Entertainment Group
Media Sponsor: EventSource.ca
EventSource Live! Video: Images Weddings
Centrepieces: The Wedding Decorators
Stationery: Empress Paper Crafts
Chair Covers & Ballroom Linen: Decor-Rent
Linens: The Linen Closet
Photobooth: Best Event.ca
Gelato: Cremahh
Cake: Cakeoholics
Cigars: Corenti Cigars
Live Artist: Olga Pankova
Tableware Rentals: Harold’s Rentals 
Live Music: Ernie Kalwa Jazz Trio
Flowers: Fete Floral & Events
Entertainment: Toronto School of Burlesque 
Nail Art and Makeup: Sheryl Rinaldi