Celebrate all year with us...we just turned 70!!

MAKING MEMMORIES SINCE 1955

Hello Veronica,

Well, January is gone and it went by for me in a whirlwind! Not only did January seem like 15 days but also the most painful days I think I've ever experienced. Our world is in turmoil right now and we just need to keep in mind that we need to be KIND to one another, give people GRACE because everyone is dealing with a lot of emotions right now and BE PATIENT with yourself and others. When you are patient with yourself you experience reduced stress, increased self-compassion, a more positive self-image, a better ability to cope with setbacks, improved mental health, and a greater focus on progress rather than perfection, allowing you to approach challenges with a calmer and more resilient mindset.

Did you know that February is a very important month for ABC? Did you know that February is officially recognized as "National Weddings Month"?

With February being the month of all things "love", it only makes sense! According to the National Day Calendar, "It's a celebration of the beauty of unconditional love and the excitement of marriage and wedding parties."

Did you know that more than 2.4 million couples get married in the US alone every year and about 16 thousand of them get married on Valentine's Day? Even though the majority of weddings take place during the summer months (specifically June, August, and September), February does own the most weddings to a single day.

Original Association of Bridal Consultants owners Eileen and Gerard Monaghan worked with the National Day Calendar group to establish February as National Weddings Month.

There are some other VERY important Holidays in February: It's National Black History Month, February 1st is National Freedom Day, Feb 12th is Darwin Day, and of course, Feb 14th is Valentine's Day! Although I think Feb 7th may be my favorite - National Fettuccine Alfredo Day!!

IF YOU HAVEN'T RENEWED/JOINED US YET...RENEW/JOIN TODAY!

Against Mark's Advice & Other Life Lessons

Against Mark's Advice and Other Life Lessons

Mark Kingsdorf is a retired Master Wedding Planner and former owner of a very successful event planning company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mark was also a freelance writer and wedding industry speaker. One of the topics, Mark often taught other wedding professionals about the importance of having a well written contract. His "AMA" contract clause is in many current wedding professionals contracts and is still being used.

We are delighted that Mark has decided to come out of retirement for an hour to teach our members all about his "Against Mark's Advice" (AMA) contract clause and how that simple clause can help protect you. Mark is also going to share his other "life lessons" that will be helpful in your growing business.

Spend an hour with Mark and learn how to implement small changes in your business for maximum results.

RSVP Today!

CALENDER OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Invest in yourself! Get out to our local state and networking group meetings! Attend a webinar.

Get out and take a course and learn how to make your business more successful!

There are so many wonderful events and classes coming your way.

View More Of Our Event Calendar Here

ABC Florida - Tampa Bay Area/Tampa Bay NACE Educational Luncheon

February 4th

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Wedding Wednesday with Joel Gresham "The Wedding Guy"

Feb 5th

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ABC Delaware & Pennsylvania Retreat!

Feb 6th

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ABC NC Love Yourself First

Feb 9th

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ABC Supplier Showcase - AIC Hotel Group

Feb 12th

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ABC Members At Large Meet Up On Zoom

Feb 18th

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ABC Maryland & DC State Meeting - Thriving Together

Feb 22nd

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Taco Bout Weddings - ABC KY

Feb 25th

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Room Blcok Update with ABC US Group Sales Manager - Monica Richard

Stay informed and ahead of the curve with the latest updates on booking U.S. room blocks! Join Monica Richard, MWP, ABC’s U.S. Group Sales Manager, for a critical session on updated procedures and reminders for every member involved in booking room blocks. This is a must-attend event to ensure your success in managing group accommodations.

RSVP Today!

Book of the Month Discussion

ABC once had a monthly book club where members gathered to discuss a selected book. While there was great interest, scheduling conflicts made it difficult for many to attend. However, members have expressed a desire to bring it back, and we agree that the discussions were valuable.

Starting in February, we’re introducing a new version of the book club! We’ll announce the selected book each month, and members can share your thoughts and ideas, on the ABC Members’ page, as they read the book. The more members participate in the discussion, the more interesting and fun it will be.

The Book of the Month for February is “The 12 Week Year: Get More Done In 12 Weeks Than Others Do in 12 Months” by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington. This book takes valuable business principles and puts them together in a straightforward system that, if applied correctly, actually works!

CATHY'S CORNER: CHANGES TO INSTAGRAM SINCE JANUARY 2025 THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF

Ah, Instagram. Just when you think you’ve mastered it, they go and change something on you. If you’ve noticed lately that your beautifully crafted square graphics (1080 x 1080 pixels) are looking a little…off, you’re not imagining things. Instagram has officially shifted its preferred image size to a more portrait-friendly 1080 x 1350 pixels.

What does this mean? Well, while your old square posts aren’t disappearing into the Instagram abyss, they are getting their sides unceremoniously chopped off in your feed. And let’s be honest—half a wedding bouquet or an awkwardly cropped wedding party is not exactly the aesthetic you were going for.

Why the Change?

Instagram is always evolving to optimize user engagement, and taller images simply take up more real estate on the screen. More screen space means more visibility, more impact, and ideally, more interaction. Portrait images (1080 x 1350 pixels) dominate the feed, making them the new must-have for businesses that want to stay relevant—yes, that means you, wedding pros!

Do You Need to Panic?

Absolutely not. Your past posts are safe. No need to rush back and frantically redesign all your old graphics—Instagram isn’t erasing history. But moving forward, adapting to this change is crucial if you want to maintain a polished, professional, and up-to-date presence. Your future clients and industry peers will notice whether your content looks current or slightly stuck in 2024.

How to Adjust Your Instagram Graphics

If you use Canva, Photoshop, or any other design tool, resizing your images is an easy fix. Here’s how to make the shift:

Set Your Canvas to 1080 x 1350 Pixels – Whether you’re creating an image from scratch or adjusting an existing one, start with the right dimensions.
Keep Key Elements Centered – Since Instagram still crops images in the grid preview, make sure text and important visuals stay within a “safe zone” in the middle.
Use Canva’s Resize Feature – If you’ve already made a square graphic but need to adjust it, Canva’s ‘Resize’ tool can help tweak the dimensions without starting over.
Check Before Posting – Always preview how your post will look in the feed to make sure nothing crucial gets cut off.

What Happens If You Ignore This?

Can you still post square graphics? Technically, yes. Will they still show up in people’s feeds? Sure. But they’ll be cropped, making your content look outdated or unfinished. And when it comes to impressing engaged couples or fellow wedding pros, looking polished and modern is everything.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t just about jumping on another Instagram trend—it’s about keeping your brand looking fresh, professional, and ready to attract your ideal clients. A simple shift in graphic size can make all the difference in ensuring your posts stand out in a sea of wedding content.

So, wedding planners, florists, photographers, and everyone in between—it’s time to embrace the portrait format. Your future followers (and your engagement rates) will thank you!