More than a Web site

Many people planning weddings only get to see one side of the Central Minnesota Wedding Association...our work connecting you to vendors in our group through our Web site and Bride Guide.

There's another side of our organization that works with wedding vendors in the Central Minnesota area to educate them about new trends and bring them together as a group to share ideas and network with other vendors.

Last night we had our bi-monthly meeting at The Pillar Inn in Cold Spring...just west of St. Cloud. If you are looking for a great bed and breakfast, or a place for a ceremony with fewer than 40 people...this is it.Here you see Adam Welz, the CMWA President, playing "Wedding Pictionary." Games like these kind of bring the "kid" out in you- and you forget how much fun you can have playing a silly game.

Most of the night was dedicated toward networking with other wedding vendors. This was a lot of fun (and it wasn't all about weddings!). We got to meet people and hear about their interests outside of work, and really start to build relationships. That truly is the key to networking...because you never want to refer someone that you don't trust- because if that person doesn't follow through, it makes you look bad.

It is so cool that we can have multiple photographers, florists, cake decorators and reception hall planners all work together toward- and put the fact that many of them are competing for the same business aside. I often refer Northern Lights Video to clients if my busisness, Capture Video is booked on a particular day.

I'll share more about what our organization does in future blogs...but I thought you might find it interesting that we are a lot more than a Web site.