Elyn Rahman - Bridal Library Founder & CEO
Elyn has been creating weddings and special events for two decades. She has been fortunate enough to design and plan over 1,000 weddings and has become friend, mother, sister, mentor and educator to those who she has worked for, with and on behalf. Her passion for 'all things weddings' and 'helping couples create that beautiful forever memory of their big day' is what is most important to her.
Her background in sales and marketing, along with business and design has come in handy. She has built two successful businesses and recently sold her award winning event planning business A Charleston Event. Along with representing The Bridal Library as Founder, she owns two other companies, Press The Dress (a wedding gown hand-pressing, cleaning and preservation service in the Carolinas) and Ecru Luxe (a luxury destination weddings and honeymoon service, being launched in late spring 2013).
When she is not busy lecturing and working on her book, Elyn keeps her planning to a minimum of one wedding per year. The rest of the year, she plans the Bridal Library training conferences and seminars with some of the finest wedding professionals in the nation.
Educating and training and as a respected industry leader among her peers, she continuously looks for ways to bring wedding professionals together through networking, work and education. Her training specialty lies in leading by example and presenting discussions on professional ethics in the wedding industry, along with teaching others how to created flawless weddings and events in a cost-effective way within a declining economy. Accolades include being voted Best of the Knot, Bride's choice Awards, Best of Weddings. She is also a member of AFWPI (Association of Wedding Planners International), the CBA (Charleston Bridal Association) and the OC (Optimist Club Local Myrtle Beach Chapter). She is the founder of Giving Back Cheer, a non-profit to raise charitable funds for those in need each year through various events. She has been featured in Bride Magazine, Charleston Weddings, The Wedding Guide and has made several television appearances.
Her background in sales and marketing, along with business and design has come in handy. She has built two successful businesses and recently sold her award winning event planning business A Charleston Event. Along with representing The Bridal Library as Founder, she owns two other companies, Press The Dress (a wedding gown hand-pressing, cleaning and preservation service in the Carolinas) and Ecru Luxe (a luxury destination weddings and honeymoon service, being launched in late spring 2013).
When she is not busy lecturing and working on her book, Elyn keeps her planning to a minimum of one wedding per year. The rest of the year, she plans the Bridal Library training conferences and seminars with some of the finest wedding professionals in the nation.
Educating and training and as a respected industry leader among her peers, she continuously looks for ways to bring wedding professionals together through networking, work and education. Her training specialty lies in leading by example and presenting discussions on professional ethics in the wedding industry, along with teaching others how to created flawless weddings and events in a cost-effective way within a declining economy. Accolades include being voted Best of the Knot, Bride's choice Awards, Best of Weddings. She is also a member of AFWPI (Association of Wedding Planners International), the CBA (Charleston Bridal Association) and the OC (Optimist Club Local Myrtle Beach Chapter). She is the founder of Giving Back Cheer, a non-profit to raise charitable funds for those in need each year through various events. She has been featured in Bride Magazine, Charleston Weddings, The Wedding Guide and has made several television appearances.
Nora Richardson - Branding Expert, Spot-on Branding
Nora D. Richardson, owner of Spot-On Branding, is a brand identity expert, specializing in creating strong brand identities for business owners and entrepreneurs across a wide variety of industries. Nora has a passion for encouraging brand alignment and brand evolution whenever beneficial to business growth, so much so that she created her unique Brand Alignment Package to better advise business owners on comprehensive brand strategies
ExperienceWith over 15 years of experience creating effective branding strategies, Nora also has an equally experienced eye for detailed and purposeful graphic design: from logos to packaging, advertising to website design – and everything in between. Nora’s dual-sided experience in both branding and graphic design allows for superior quality brand components that enhance visibility, create an emotional response from ideal clients and strengthen foundations for business growth.
Take it from Nora: “The difference between a graphic designer and a brand identity designer is simple: the graphic designer only provides what they think may be right for the company, while the brand identity designer knows what is best for the brand, and therefore the best option for the big picture: continuous company growth.”
Nora has designed for a range of businesses from small business to Fortune 500 companies including Kahlúa, Olympics, Northwest Airlines, and Water Missions International.
ExperienceWith over 15 years of experience creating effective branding strategies, Nora also has an equally experienced eye for detailed and purposeful graphic design: from logos to packaging, advertising to website design – and everything in between. Nora’s dual-sided experience in both branding and graphic design allows for superior quality brand components that enhance visibility, create an emotional response from ideal clients and strengthen foundations for business growth.
Take it from Nora: “The difference between a graphic designer and a brand identity designer is simple: the graphic designer only provides what they think may be right for the company, while the brand identity designer knows what is best for the brand, and therefore the best option for the big picture: continuous company growth.”
Nora has designed for a range of businesses from small business to Fortune 500 companies including Kahlúa, Olympics, Northwest Airlines, and Water Missions International.
Angela Proffit - CEO Events by Angela
As a leading respected professional in the market, Angela Young Proffitt has been planning and producing weddings and events for many years, nationally and internationally. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology. Knowing she always wanted to help people, her projected path to pursuing psychology working in mental health was no longer her passion. Angela has since established herself as one of the most dedicated, well rounded, most proficient multi-tasking and technology experts in the industry.
Drawing from her psychology background, Angela has experience in working with a variety of personalities, to which her common motive is always focused on what is best for her clients and students. She works with elite wedding specialists to create, design, implement, and execute every fine tuned detail in order to paint the unique vision each client desires. Her hands-on organizational approach combined with her impeccable ability to build relationships has propelled her above and beyond the average professional. Realizing her skills and talents are best utilized in helping others, she continues to expand and develop into an entrepreneur, writer, consultant, and educator. Focusing on "connecting technology and personality" with clients, as well as developing a "organizational paperless process for vendors".
Angela's highly touted work can be seen in such global publications as Art of Celebrations, Grace Ormonde'sWedding Style Magazine, Elegant Bride, People Magazine, Us Weekly, Enchanted Brides, In Focus, Style Me Pretty, and Country Weekly, just to name a few. Alongside acknowledgements in world-class magazines, Angela has also served on the board of TWESA, and has won such accolades as Best Wedding Planner in Nashville, along with voted Best Investment, Personality, Coordination, and Can't Live Without. She is a member of ISES (International Special Events Society), EO Nashville (Entrepreneur Organization) and serves on the Wedding Industry Experts panel.
Drawing from her psychology background, Angela has experience in working with a variety of personalities, to which her common motive is always focused on what is best for her clients and students. She works with elite wedding specialists to create, design, implement, and execute every fine tuned detail in order to paint the unique vision each client desires. Her hands-on organizational approach combined with her impeccable ability to build relationships has propelled her above and beyond the average professional. Realizing her skills and talents are best utilized in helping others, she continues to expand and develop into an entrepreneur, writer, consultant, and educator. Focusing on "connecting technology and personality" with clients, as well as developing a "organizational paperless process for vendors".
Angela's highly touted work can be seen in such global publications as Art of Celebrations, Grace Ormonde'sWedding Style Magazine, Elegant Bride, People Magazine, Us Weekly, Enchanted Brides, In Focus, Style Me Pretty, and Country Weekly, just to name a few. Alongside acknowledgements in world-class magazines, Angela has also served on the board of TWESA, and has won such accolades as Best Wedding Planner in Nashville, along with voted Best Investment, Personality, Coordination, and Can't Live Without. She is a member of ISES (International Special Events Society), EO Nashville (Entrepreneur Organization) and serves on the Wedding Industry Experts panel.
Karen Spalviero - Master Floral Designer, Keepsakes Events
Karen Spalviero is the owner and head designer at Keepsakes Florist and Events in Charleston South Carolina. She is a certified master floral designer and seasoned professional in the art of wedding design. She has created designs for over 2,000 weddings and still looks at each and every wedding as if it were her first.
Juggling wedding season, valentine's day, mother's day and other special occasions is what Karen does best. She does so knowing the 'end result' will be satisfied clients with smiles on their faces.
At the helm of a busy wedding business, Karen has consistently retained honors of recognition by the Charleston Business Journal, Who's Who in Business, Best of the Knot, Bride's Choice and Best in Weddings, among just a few. She accredits her success to 'listening to what the client wants' and being able to deliver within realistic budgets, which in turn, brings the knowledge that he business has not only survived, but remained one of the most sought after florists in the Lowcountry for their reputation.
Karen will be sharing some tips of the trade on working with your florist during wedding season and tricks planners can use to create their own cost effective designs.
Juggling wedding season, valentine's day, mother's day and other special occasions is what Karen does best. She does so knowing the 'end result' will be satisfied clients with smiles on their faces.
At the helm of a busy wedding business, Karen has consistently retained honors of recognition by the Charleston Business Journal, Who's Who in Business, Best of the Knot, Bride's Choice and Best in Weddings, among just a few. She accredits her success to 'listening to what the client wants' and being able to deliver within realistic budgets, which in turn, brings the knowledge that he business has not only survived, but remained one of the most sought after florists in the Lowcountry for their reputation.
Karen will be sharing some tips of the trade on working with your florist during wedding season and tricks planners can use to create their own cost effective designs.
Christy Roper - Sales Director Brick Lane Catering
Christy Roper fell in love with the food and beverage scene at what began as a college side job with catering and restaurant group Crew Carolina. After 8 years in the business as a Catering Director and then Wedding Planner, Christy joined the Brick Lane Catering group as their Catering Sales Manager two years ago and hasn't looked back. Her vast experience in the event business is sure to bring your event to life.
Brick Lane Catering is a unique catering company based in Charleston SC. We stand out from the rest by specializing in creative custom menus that offer a variety of culinary styles and flavors. As an elite caterer, Brick Lane Catering sets ourselves apart by delivering memorable, flavorful and appealing cuisine hosted in the utmost professional environment by our highly trained professional staff. We work with local vendors to provide our clients with all their events needs. Whether planning a small cocktail party, wedding, birthday, corporate function or large gala, Brick Lane Caterings detailed consulting services will help you customize your event.
Christy will shed light on how planners and catering crew work together as 'one team' and succeed in events.
Brick Lane Catering is a unique catering company based in Charleston SC. We stand out from the rest by specializing in creative custom menus that offer a variety of culinary styles and flavors. As an elite caterer, Brick Lane Catering sets ourselves apart by delivering memorable, flavorful and appealing cuisine hosted in the utmost professional environment by our highly trained professional staff. We work with local vendors to provide our clients with all their events needs. Whether planning a small cocktail party, wedding, birthday, corporate function or large gala, Brick Lane Caterings detailed consulting services will help you customize your event.
Christy will shed light on how planners and catering crew work together as 'one team' and succeed in events.
Scott & Melissa Hopkins - Scott Hopkins Photography
Scott fell in love with photography as a kid after confiscating his mom’s camera. After school he got involved with nature photography, but quickly realized his love of people was better suited for documenting weddings than birds. So in 2004 he began his wedding photography business, which has lead him to photograph weddings all over the country. A self professed geek, loves sci-fi movies, zombies, his Land Rover and all things Apple. He’s lived in the MidWest and East Coast, but now calls the deep South home, where he enjoys spending time with Melissa and their Golden-doodle Henry.
Melissa grew up in Miami and moved to Philadelphia while in elementary school. Originally an elementary school teacher, she started photographing weddings with Scott after they got married. She has a passion for exploring new places and learning about different cultures. Her goal is to travel to every continent, so if you're getting married beyond our borders, she's your girl!
Melissa grew up in Miami and moved to Philadelphia while in elementary school. Originally an elementary school teacher, she started photographing weddings with Scott after they got married. She has a passion for exploring new places and learning about different cultures. Her goal is to travel to every continent, so if you're getting married beyond our borders, she's your girl!
Mike Schmitd - Event Works Rentals
Pamela Lesch - Makeup Extraordinaire, Charleston Makeup
Like most people who are fortunate enough to make a career out something they are passionate about, Pamela Lesch’s love affair with all things Makeup began at an early age. She has worked in most areas of the industry including training, sales, TV/Film, commercial, editorial, and bridal. Based in Charleston, SC, bridal makeup is the cornerstone of her business, Pamela Lesch Makeup.
She recently joined the team of Smitten Magazine, a national bridal e-zine, as Beauty Editor.
Pamela shares stories, experiences and working rules that will help everyone learn the art of staying on the 'same team' timeline.
She recently joined the team of Smitten Magazine, a national bridal e-zine, as Beauty Editor.
Pamela shares stories, experiences and working rules that will help everyone learn the art of staying on the 'same team' timeline.
