FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW IS AWPA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER NETWORKING GROUPS? We love and support ILEA and NACE, and they serve as fantastic compliments to AWPA. AWPA is unique in that we’re a local group of wedding planners collaborating to improve the standard of weddings in Austin. We’re not a networking group or a certification program, we’re planners who get together each month to empower each other as we discuss ways to improve our industry. The education and networking that naturally happen are just bonus perks!

DO ALL AWPA PLANNERS HAVE HIGH PRICE POINTS? AWPA Planners are local to Austin, adhere to a code of ethics, and have completed at least 15 weddings as lead planner. The rest of the membership parameters are open, giving us a wide range of professional price points, experience levels, and recommended vendor teams.

IS AWPA A NON PROFIT? As a non-profit, we keep our costs low at $200/yr for dues, and $45/meeting to mostly cover food and beverage. Far more affordable than most other organizations with a more general reach! All work is by volunteer planners. The fees charged for our events cover our costs. Most Vendor Mixers are $45 - of that, $35 goes to food and drink (boozy milkshakes aren’t cheap!) and the remaining $10 goes to engraved name badges, trophies for our annual vendor awards, and general overhead expenses. Want to know more? We’re happy to share our YTD budget with you - just ask!

ARE AWPA PREFERRED VENDORS CHOSEN SOLEY ON PLANNER RELATIONSHIPS? Our Preferred Vendors are selected according to publicly posted criteria, not personal bias. Professional standards allow us to develop and deepen relationships with vendors who deliver the best for our clients.

PLANNERS

Planner Luncheons- are for planner members only. Non-member planners are invited to attend up to two Planner Luncheons before joining. 

Membership Requirements-

  • Attend a minimum of 6 meetings per year

  • Assist in planning or co-planning 1 meeting per year

  • Remain in good standing with the code of ethics

  • Stay current on dues

VENDORS

Vendor Mixers- are by invite, for AWPA Preferred Vendors and planner members only. AWPA Planners appreciate these quarterly opportunities to network with only the best of the Austin wedding vendor community. 

Preferred Vendor List- is by invite only. Each planner member lists the vendors (specific person, not company) that we would recommend without hesitation to our clients. Once two planners endorse the same vendor, that vendor is then added to the AWPA Preferred Vendor list, entitling them to be invited to Vendor Mixers and allowing their inclusion in the AWPA Preferred Vendor Facebook group. The list is continuously revised, reflecting members’ current experiences with vendors. If a vendor has worked with at least two AWPA planners, they’re welcome to reach out to those planners and ask for their endorsement. This process ensures that this is a highly vetted networking experience, making it more valuable to all involved. 

Preferred Vendor Facebook Group- Vendors currently included in the AWPA Preferred Vendor list are invited to participate in our private Facebook group. Referrals and conversations are done in this vetted and confidential place.

New Vendor Expo- are for vendors who have not yet had the opportunity to work with at least two AWPA Planners, making these vendors new to AWPA. For a small fee, these new vendors are able to host a booth showcasing their talents, and join the Planners for lunch where we get to know each other. Space is limited to 10-14 vendors, and must be reserved in advance. Vendors must meet certain criteria to be considered.

Vendors Mixer FAQs

Q: Who is invited?
A:  The individual to whom the email was sent is invited.  AWPA invitations are intended for a particular person at a company, not the entire company.  For example, if sally@abceventcompany.com is invited, Sally is the one invited, not Ted.

Q: Can I bring someone?
A:  Yes, you may purchase a ticket for one additional person if you so desire, but we strongly encourage you select another associate from your business.  Please do not invite a separate vendor who is not on our list.  This defeats the purpose of YOU being our preferred vendor.   From the example above, if Sally wants to bring Ted from ABC Event Company as her +1, she can.  Please feel free to attend alone.  We are all friends here and we want everyone to get to know each other!

Q: I received an invitation, but I can't attend the vendor mixer.  May I send someone else from my company?
A:  No; stand-ins are not permitted to attend.  The purpose of our exclusive and individual-based preferred vendor list is to get to know YOU.  Two planning companies have vouched for YOU personally for your excellent product and customer services.  Not all representatives of all companies provide the same level of service.  So Sally cannot send Ted in her place.  Ted may only attend if Sally is in attendance.

Q: Can more than one representative from the same company receive an invitation to the AWPA Vendor Mixer?
A:  Absolutely!  If AWPA members love working with both Sally and Ted, they may both receive their own invitations to attend.  In that case, each of them would be allowed to bring a +1.