Tag Archives | firefly occasions

Wedding Planners Wanted

By on June 2, 2011 in Coaching Programs, Events

Do you love planning weddings but feel like running your wedding planning business is taking over your life AND your wallet? I can help you– come learn how!

Having a successful wedding planning business is just NOT as easy as loving weddings!

When I began Firefly Occasions, I quickly discovered that running the business was not as easy as it looked!

There were essential steps that I took in building Firefly Occasions that have led to its success in the planning world today.

And I want to share my secrets with you!

You can learn about this list of MUST HAVE, Wedding Planner Business Essentials (and how much they cost) from myself, the original Rockstar Wedding Planner!

And guess what? It’s FREE!

I am welcoming you to join me in Calgary on Tuesday June 14th from 6-9pm for a FREE, no cost seminar.  In only 3 hours, you will learn what you MUST have to start, grow, and maintain a successful planning business.

And if you want to be a Firefly Occasions wedding planner, there’s no time like NOW. I am on the hunt for wedding planners to join Firefly Occasions. You could be the next Firefly! I’ll give you all the details at this event.

This seminar will be in HIGH DEMAND and seats are limited.

All we ask is that you call 1-800-791-5636 ext 701 or email katie@fireflyoccasions.com by June 10th with a credit card ready to secure your spot with a $20 no show deposit.

Don’t worry! This means that a crisp $20 dollar bill will be waiting for you upon check-in because learning my secrets is too good to pass up!

This is a rare opportunity to learn from me in person.  My current coaching programs for wedding planners are between $8,500-$50,000. But the cost of this seminar is $0!

To make this an even more exciting experience the first 10 want-to be-planners to register will receive reserved front row seats at the event. (Reserved seats will be released 5 minutes before the seminar begins so don’t be late!)

 

 

 

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Calgary Entrepreneur Nominated for Award

By on March 10, 2011 in Featured, Rockstar Wedding Planner Legends, Wedding Industry News

Calgary, Alberta – Event professional, Ciara Daykin, has been nominated for the Canadian Special Events’ Event Professional of the Year Award. Ciara is the CEO and owner of Firefly Occasions, a luxury wedding planning agency in Calgary, Alberta. Daykin will travel to Toronto on March 25th to attend the Star Awards Gala. This is a national award and four other candidates have been nominated to compete from across the country.  

Amanda Smith, client of Firefly Occasions, states, “Ciara shares her knowledge and passion with everyone in her path.  Her contributions to the event planning industry are a paramount to her successes. She has enabled many others to achieve their personal business plans.”

The award is designated for outstanding event professionals who inspire others to achieve event success, and who stand out from the crowd by having made exceptional contributions to the industry over the past year.

Nominees must have created success stories time and time again while operating their businesses with the highest level of enthusiasm, accomplishment and professional integrity.

As a nominee, Ciara has also contributed to the growth and development of the event industry in Calgary and has gone above and beyond her client’s expectations.

“I’m thrilled to be nominated for the award and to have the opportunity to represent not only myself but also the Calgary event industry,” states Ciara.

To find out more information about Firefly Occasions please visit www.fireflyoccasions.com. To find out more information about the award please visit www.canadianspecialevents.com.

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Look What We’re Up To!

By on January 28, 2011 in Blog, Ciara's Updates

Woo hoo! This weekend Firefly Occasions was honored by winning Best Booth of the entire Calgary Bridal Fair (January 23, 2011). There were a lot of inspirational booths there, so we’re even more pleased we were voted to receive this distinction.

(You can see pictures on our Firefly Fan Page.)

Well, Rockstar Wedding Planners Innovate! And we’ve definitely been busy providing you with innovative ideas to grow your high-end wedding planning business in our video series. Click here to see the tips if you haven’t already.

Soon we’re Vegas-bound March 21-23 for Rockstar Wedding Planner LIVE, Grace and Luxury: How to Attract, Work With, and Be Referred By The High-End Bride. If you haven’t registered yet, I recommend reserving your space ASAP while there are still some seats left. It’s a great opportunity to meet other High-End Wedding Planners ready to claim their own High-End Bridal Clients.

Frankly this event could change your life.  Click here to learn more and purchase your ticket. I hope you’re coming.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so I hope you enjoy my article, “Love Is in the Air, But Are They Planning Their Wedding Without You?”

Love and wedding planning success,

Ciara

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Get Your Rockstar on at the Next Trade Show!

By on January 17, 2011 in Blog, Ciara Recommends, Product Items
Ciara bridal expo“How to be a Big Success at a Bridal Trade Show” is a must-have resource for all wedding planners who are ready to make their mark. This classic guide walks you through getting the most trade show success possible with our proven, easy-to-follow strategies. Implement the suggestions and you’ll easily gather a throng of new brides eager to hire you and fill your wedding calendar.

 
 Read it and learn:
  • Insider strategies to keeping in touch with your potential brides…without selling or bugging them;
  • How to make the most of your networking time with other vendors as well as attendees so you get the most bang for your buck;
  • Stimulate your own creativity with our winning booth decoration ideas…plan to get to know A LOT of brides looking for your services…
And more!
 
You can’t beat the price either! Check it out by clicking here. 
 
P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my video training series. Click here for more information.
 
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Things I Can’t Live Without as A Wedding Planner

By on August 3, 2010 in Articles, Blog

By Ciara Daykin

Having a new baby certainly puts things into perspective. I’m 2 weeks into motherhood and baby Declan is taking up a lot of my time but my wedding planning business hasn’t shut its 1doors. On the contrary, we’re busier than ever! But I want to spend time with Declan so it means that I have to make the most of the tools I have available to me so that I can maximize my time with my son but make quick efficient decisions when it comes to the business. And when I’m working I want it to be fun and comfortable so there are just certain things I need.
 
It really has gotten me thinking about the things that I just can’t live without as a wedding planner. Here are 9 of my favorite things as a wedding planner:
 
1.  My IPhone- I am a recent convert to the IPhone. I used to have a Blackberry and I think having either of the 2 smart phones is an absolute MUST as a wedding planner. I love that I don’t have to sit down at my computer to review emails and websites, I can do it on the go or with my little bambina in my lap!
 
2.  Metal Water Bottle- It sounds so simple but when you’re at a wedding there’s nothing worse than trying to track down a glass of water. Keeping yourself hydrated at a wedding is absolutely key.

23.  Flat Shoes- When I first started out I tried to be chic in high heels but I’ve never been good in heels at the best of times let along 10 hours into a wedding. My new shoe love is Kenneth Cole Gentle Souls.

4.  My 1-800 Number- Love having a 1-800 number so the world doesn’t have my cell phone! I love even more that I can forward it anywhere, set the hours when it rings and I had Simon record the message and well, his English accent is just awesome. We use grasshopper.com for our 1-800 number

5.  Cherry Blaster Sour Candy- Okay so this is my fav candy and I think you need to have a little fun sweet treat once in awhile to keep yourself sane.

6.  Goddess Guidance Cards by Doreen Virtue- I love gaining inspiration from these cards by Doreen Virtue. They’re all good cards and each offers a different powerful goddess story. I also have her Saints and Angels cards which I also love and use often. I find these cards really center me especially during an event. They really ground me and always tell me what I need to hear. You can get them here.
 
7.  My journal- Being a wedding planner, a wife, a Mom, a friend, a daughter, a CEO is just a wee bit stressful and sometimes overwhelming. I love sitting down and writing in my 3journal all the things that I’ve been bottling up inside and sometimes I can’t share with anyone else. Here is my fav brand of journals:  https://www.papayaart.com/

8.  Virtual Assistant- Most of you know Jessica my virtual assistant. I have to give her a shout out in this list as I really couldn’t do this job without her. I love that I can just drop her an email with a task and know that it’s going to get done. It’s hard to do it all yourself and a virtual assistant is a perfect way to start getting help until you’re able to have an in person team.

9.  Support- I really truly could not do what I do without the support of my husband and my family. It’s key that when you’re making big leaps in your business and in your life that you have a strong support team behind you. The support I have from all my staff is super key as well- I have to be able to rely on them. I also have the support of my mastermind group. That group of ladies is always inspiring me to dream bigger.
 
Ciara’s Rockstar Advice
 
Don’t tolerate not having the tools you need to make your life easier and more comfortable. Being a wedding planner is a busy job and you need to surround yourself with your favorite things, the practical and the fun!

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Update: Welcome Baby Declan

By on July 30, 2010 in Blog, Ciara's Updates

Well he’s arrived! On July 14th at 1:55pm Declan Rhys Glendon Daykin was born and Simon and I coe1280510828uldn’t be happier. My little sweetheart is sitting on my lap as I type this letter to you. He’s so fun but definitely an adjustment. Hats off to all you mompreneurs out there. It’s not easy to have a baby and run a business that’s for sure! But I’m learning as I go and I’ll be sure to share what works for me and what doesn’t as I go along.
 
Today is also my 5 year wedding anniversary with Simon. A lot has happened in the last 5 years. It was when we were planning our wedding that I was inspired to begin my wedding planning business and we’re now in our 6th year of business and both working for the company. It’s pretty cool to look back and see the milestones of our business stack up. I’m excited to reach new highs as this year continues.
 
I’ve been singing Declan songs to help him fall asleep. As a big fan of musicals a lot of our lullabies are from shows and movies I watched as a kid. I’ve been singing him “My Favorite Things” from the Sound of Music and it made me think about what my favorite things as a wedding planner are. Plus with Declan being here I really have to say there are certain things in my business that I’m realizing I just couldn’t run it without, especially with this little baby sleeping on my lap most of the time!
 
Stay tuned in next week for my list of favorite things… 

Love and wedding planning success,
 
Ciara

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Why Wedding Planners Need To Do Bridal Fairs

By on February 2, 2010 in Articles, Blog

By Ciara Daykin

Jan Bridal fair 1Whenever I participate in the Bridal Fair I always have other planners asking me- “was it worth it?” The simple answer is yes but I can tell you that it’s not just what you do at the fair but it’s what you do afterwards that makes the fair worth it.

Here are 4 tips for maximizing your Bridal Fair investment:

  1. Create A Great, Showstopping Booth- Even if they’re not giving out an award make sure your booth stands out. You want your booth to resonate with your target bride so that she stops by. It also shows other wedding vendors that you’re playing a bigger game and that can mean more referrals.
  2. In person and Online Attention- We always take a ton of pictures of our booth because it’s not just the people who notice you in person that you want to impress but you want to leverage EVERYTHING that you do so that means tweeting and facebooking like crazy about your participation in a Bridal Fair. That way even if brides aren’t there they are taking notice of the splash you’re making.
  3. Sep bridal fair 2Build Your List- Bridal Fairs are the best way to build your list. I always give out my free report and have brides sign up to receive it via email and then later they get my ezine. This follow up is crucial and makes the difference between getting business post fair and not.
  4. Make Genuine Connections- Yes we live in an online world and it’s important to market online (you know I believe in that) but it’s also important to have some face time with engaged couples and to make a connection with them. Brides and grooms come to these shows seeking answers and as a wedding planner, you have lots of them. Really listen to what their needs are and suggest how you can help them. We take appointment bookings right there at our booth and are busy in the weeks post fair with interviews.

Jan Bridal fair 2Ciara’s Rockstar Wedding Planner Advice

Bridal Fairs are fantastic for wedding planners to participate in. It’s a great way to build your list and get noticed. I personally love the networking we get to do with other vendors as it’s great to see them outside of a wedding and reconnect. Bridal Fairs can be extremely profitable but you need to make sure you have all your marketing materials and your strategy aligned before you take the plunge. At Rockstar Wedding Planner LIVE this year I’ll be creating a Bridal Fair booth to show you the optimal setup and I’ll also be providing each attendee with a package of sample marketing collateral that you should be giving out at the fair AND sharing my follow up plan with everyone in attendance. This is a GREAT reason to attend Rockstar Wedding Planner LIVE, because just one hit off your next Bridal Fair more than pays for your attendance at Rockstar Wedding Planner LIVE. Click here to secure your ticket.

CiaraCiara Daykin is the Rockstar Wedding Planner. She is an award-winning event planner and CEO of Firefly Occasions Inc. with offices in both Canada and the United States.

Ciara has devised a system for creating and maintaining a successful event planning business. She shares her knowledge with other planners through her Rockstar Wedding Planner coaching programs and various speaking engagements.

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6 Figure Wedding Planner Secrets

By on November 27, 2009 in Blog, Coaching, Coaching Programs

pink phoneWell, we said we weren’t going to release the recording but there have been so many people asking, so…

Here it is- the 6 Figure Wedding Planner Secrets call that took place this week, in which host Ciara Daykin revealeds the tips and tricks that helped take her wedding planning business to the 6 figure level.

Did you love what you heard on the call? Well, here’s some more good news: Ciara has created a 6 Figure Wedding Planner System, which is a series of teleseminars that go into detail on the steps she took to become so successful in the wedding planning industry.  Click here to sign up now and receive a FREE ticket to Rockstar Wedding Planner Live 2010!

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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Decor

By on November 24, 2009 in Blog, Events

Ciara and SimonThis month on Become a Rockstar Wedding Planner we will be joined by expert designer/interior decorator Simon Daykin. As we all know, the right decor can really bring an event to life. Simon will talk about how he uses decor to make Firefly Occasions events stand out above all the rest, and how he achieved the Canadian Wedding Industry Award for Best Décor in 2008.
Here is the information to participate…

Topic: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Decor
Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Time: 1:00pm PST/2:00pm MST/3:00pm CST/4:00pm EST

Not a Become a Rockstar Wedding Planner member? No worries- you can sign up now and your first month is free!

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Ciara Recommends: Rise to Fame

By on November 12, 2009 in Blog, Ciara Recommends

KeytoSalesPicAre You Ready to Stop Struggling and Create a Wedding Planning Business that Attracts the Exact Clients You Want, Builds Wealth, and Gives You More Free Time?

You can be a successful wedding planner but it starts with knowing how to market your business. Learn the strategies I used to hit 6 figures in my business in just 4 years. It’s all in the Rise to Fame System.

CLICK HERE to purchase.

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