Industry News
In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.
Associations
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
British Columbia Associations
- BC Wedding and Event Industry Association (BCWEIA) | BCWEIA is an emergent working group representing British Columbia’s weddings, celebrations and social events sector. They are looking for volunteers to continue building the association.
Canadian Associations
- The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada | The WIPC is focused on offering certification for wedding planners in Canada.
- Canadian Society for Professional Event Planners (CanSPEP) | CanSPEP is a dynamic society for entrepreneurial event professionals, offering education and networking events. Check out their calendar of educational events.
- Canadian Wedding and Event Professionals (CanWed) | CanWed is a nonprofit initiative for wedding and event professionals formed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They advocate for industry professionals in the wake of the pandemic's disruption and offer advice, general news, and information on their successes on their news page.
International Associations
- American Association of Certified Wedding Planners | The ACCWP educates wedding planners and promotes “wedding planning practices of the highest quality to ensure that client expectations are surpassed”. Investigate their Training Offerings.
- Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) | WIPA provides education, networking events, and boasts a membership that represents “a multitude of wedding disciplines including event planners, decor companies, cake designers, caterers, DJ's, florists, entertainment companies, hoteliers, invitation companies, musicians, officiants, photographers, rental companies, venues and videographers.” Learn more about the benefits they offer members.
- National Association of Wedding Professionals (NAWP) | NAWP is an American association that offers a suite of benefits to their members, including educational opportunities, national discounts and financial benefits, and marketing and referral. Explore their chapters.
- International Wedding Planners & Travel Agents Associations | IWPA represents exclusively destination wedding planners and travel agents catering to those who want to hold their special day in far-off locales. One useful portion of their website is their Wedding Suppliers page boasting vetted suppliers from around the world.
Magazines & Trade Journals
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
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Today's Bride | An online and print magazine that covers all aspects of the Canadian wedding industry.
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Wedding Bells Magazine | This magazine has a myriad of Canadian content for wedding planners and brides-to-be. Check out their Planning section.
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Martha Stewart Weddings | Martha Stewart Weddings is the leading resource for the bride who wants a wedding that is beyond the ordinary. An elegant and award-winning bridal magazine from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Martha Stewart Weddings guides couples through the entire wedding process.
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Wedding Planner Magazine | Canada's Modern Magazine. The Wedding Planner Magazine is a source of real weddings, fashion, planning, travel and wedding inspiration for the stylish bride! It is a bi-annual print and digital magazine utilizing online, newsstands, bridal shows and social media to reach the wedding and event consumer.
Consultant & Other Websites
MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.
PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.
Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.
Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.
Blogs & Discussion Forums
Podcasts:
- Hue I Do Wedding Podcast | The Hue I Do podcast (and the online platform) operates with the purpose of "Sharing the emotions and experiences of Black weddings and marriages from yesterday, today, and tomorrow." The podcast regularly bring in guests to discuss all aspects of the wedding industry (from cakes to social media to officiants).
- The Wedding Biz | This podcast boasts nearly 500 episodes to-date featuring "the world's most prolific thought leaders in the wedding world." The Wedding Biz describes itself as "the only global platform of its kind to serve the business development needs of wedding and events professionals" - you're sure to find some helpful tips and tricks if you listen in.
- Planner Life Podcast | The Planner Life is co-hosted by two wedding planners and is dedicated to helping fellow planners build a successful business.
- 6 Figure Wedding Planner | This is another podcast dedicated to the business-side of things, with a promise to "dive deep with wedding industry insiders on how to increase your sales, and up level your wedding planning business."
Blogs:
- Planners Lounge Blog | Planners Lounge was founded "as a resource site and community for wedding and event planners to relax, talk, learn, and inspire." The blog features news, tools, and a conference list to help you with your business.
- KJ & Co. Blog for Wedding Planners and Pros | This blog spans topics like social media, booking clients, helpful apps, and podcast recommendations.
- The Wedding Academy Blog | You can choose to navigate through posts on planning, styling, business, marketing, or interviews with other professionals in this blog run by The Wedding Academy, an online school dedicated to the wedding industry.
- WeddingPlz | This blog is dedicated to Indian wedding trends, covering everything from decor to fashion and beauty to traditions and customs.
- Brides | Brides has been around for 89 years as the self-proclaimed "most seasoned wedding publication in the United States." Their content not only spans the full spectrum of the wedding experience and features a selection of real wedding stories which could be used as planning inspiration or as a resource for clients.
Forums:
- VIP Lounge - Online Forum for Event Planners | Run by the same group as Planners Lounge, these "community forums feature topics, advice, and information related to business, event design, wedding planning, and more."
TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.