by Claudett Blair, WPICC, & Denneisha Blair, WPICC, of Unique Bridal & Tux, and the WPIC Regional Representatives for Jamaica
Monday morning blues weren’t the order for this Island Mother/Daughter Duo!!!
Instead it was replaced with an upbeat anticipation, a bouncing, tropical historic feeling unfolding with each passing second. Our Parent certifying body (WPIC), Unique Bridal and Tux in partnership with the Jewel Runaway Bay Resort were embarking upon the first of many future workshops.
However, before we can step into greatness, it all starts with ONE step.
Our workshop was themed, “Spring into Action 2016” that commenced with an overview of WPIC powerhouse. What the WPIC brand represents within the professional wedding circle, the strong need to create a local Jamaican Chapter and the fundamental strengths of being an Alumni. The fundamental strengths of the Alumni were concretized by showing a Youtube video entitled, “About WPIC”. This video truly helped to hammer home the fact that as one collective body we can pull together and slay the business.
As an inaugural half-day workshop the Attendees were blessed with participating in an open, interactive sessions that allowed them to express their concerns, queries, ask pressing questions and provided written feedback on the way forward for future workshops. The Presenters were as follows:
- Stacey Neil – Managing Director of MandeVilla Place who spoke on the areas of Draping and Arch Décor plus provided handouts. Additionally, she demonstrated both a basic decorating technique and toolkit items must haves.
The Attendees all participated in the awesome interactive sessions especially learning how to use a simple fabric to create three (3) quick decorative pieces. Interestingly, we are strongly confident that the sessions were well received, because later that afternoon we were able to see a live wedding and the Jewel Participants actually used few of the décor techniques learnt in class (Woot!! Woot!!) - Tashima Howard-Small (Freelance Independent Graphic Artist) – who spoke on the Art of Design Sketching. Definitely this session helped to unearth several Pablo Picassos who are now more confident in providing clients with visuals for their event mock-ups. Plus guidance on always having at hand pencil crayons and a sketchbook among our toolkit items when going to see clients.
To borrow a phrase from our Participant, Jennifer Borgh, owner of wedding venue Borghinvilla in St. Ann’s, it “up like eleven”.
After the workshop sessions we had the most anticipated moment – (drum roll….) raffle for an Emerald Day pass for two (2) to the beautiful Waterpark Lagoon (and we toured this area – a MUST VISIT).
Following that, we exchanged contact details and proceeded to take a cute group picture. All engines now set for the double anticipated site tour of the beautiful resort, restaurants, rooms, golf areas (oooohhhh yes we drove the golf carts – those interesting stories cannot be fully summarized within this Blog).
Throughout our walk there was a reoccurring plus clear evidence of camaraderie, networking and exchanging of ideas – everything the WPIC Alumni Canada chapter embodies, this was truly personified right here in little Jamaica. Afterwards, the Team was treated to a buffet style wide selection lunch at the Coral Café. Believe me the Team ate to their heart’s desire. Thereafter, few were able to stay for the lovely tropical-inspired wedding held on the beach.
One Love!
Denneisha & Claudett
Claudett and Denneisha Blair are certified Mother/Daughter Wedding Planners through the internationally accredited Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC) both are the local Jamaican Regional Representatives and wedding connoisseurs taking the lead at a twenty-two (22) year old family-run business using modern and millennial approaches. Their business, Unique Bridal and Tux (UBT), is committed to starry-eyed couples who wish to celebrate their love with a wedding ceremony and offers rental services through use of gowns and tuxedos. Unique Bridal and Tux has stood the test of time and earned a strong reputation among Jamaican brides and grooms for more than 22 years. The core business since inception is to help couples make the vision of their dream wedding come true. With a genuine love for weddings coupled with years of strong experience – UBT goes above and beyond to serve their clients by maintaining an extraordinary attention to detail. They also partner with top vacation spots on the North Coast and offer recommendations on ideal locations within Jamaica to host a wedding, reception and/or a magical honeymoon.
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