2024 AWPA Board - Courtesy of PhotoHouse Films
LEADERSHIP
Through a spirit of collaboration, we are a group of competitors that were willing to talk about the industry and its needs. One gathering turned into another and then another. Today, we are a group professionals that value community over competition and have a desire to elevate and improve the Austin Wedding Market one conversation at a time.
Cassie Abbott
PRESIDENT
Truly Together Event Co.
Established 2010
Credentials: Bachelor of Arts in Comm Studies from University of Texas at Austin
“Joining AWPA has been a breathtaking change professionally and personally by creating close friendships and a profound community with other amazing professionals who truly understand the unique challenge and honor it is to plan weddings. I am honored to serve as President of such an amazing group of talented planners. “
Bekah Laine
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Bekah Laine Events
Established 2014
Credentials: Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Texas State University and Event Planning Certification from Austin Community College
“I joined AWPA because I wanted to surround myself with industry professionals that could inspire me and push me to be better at what I do. The community I’ve found here is beyond what I could have hoped for. The members of AWPA are my coworkers, my confidants, and some of my closest friends. As Immediate Past President this year, I hope to build on the hard work put in by my predecessors by finding new opportunities to bring our community together to collaborate, learn, and grow. I hope to leave AWPA better than I found it and I'm grateful for an amazing team of planners serving with me on the board to help meet this goal.”
Cassie Morales
VICE PRESIDENT
Heavenly Day Events
Established 2010
Credentials: Bachelor of Arts from University of Texas at Austin, LWPI Certified Wedding Planner
“Much of what AWPA is is due to the community and relationships built and nurtured between the planners and among the vendors. Joining AWPA has been incredibly rewarding for me, both professionally and personally, as I've grown and learned so much from respected peers and like-minded business owners. I'm honored to be joining the board this year and serving our AWPA community.”
Melanie Richardson
SECRETARY
Something to Celebrate
Joined Something to Celebrate in 2016
Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management from Indiana University Bloomington
“Joining AWPA has brought me so much closer and connected to the Austin wedding community than I could have ever hoped. Even with working in the Austin wedding industry for over 16 years, joining AWPA 6 years ago has allowed me to grow new relationships and nurture existing ones, and I am so very grateful for that. The friendships I have made and the community I have formed have been critical in getting through the past few years. This is a special year for me on the board since I will be going full circle returning back to my original position of secretary. I have so enjoyed moving through the ranks as VP, President, and IPP, and being a sort of non-official historian, but secretary will always hold a place in my heart, especially since it gets me back to the registration table where I can say hello to everyone!!”
Kathryn (Kat) Eyers
MARKETING
Unwrapped & Uncorked Events
Established 2018
Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University
“AWPA has been an absolute blessing and I wish I would have joined sooner. It’s such a wonderful community of fellow planners and quality industry partners. I feel fortunate to be a part of a community that supports each other, who are willing to share experiences & advice, and who cheer each other in our business successes. Taking a leap into the AWPA community has honestly been one of the best decisions within my business. I’m so excited to jump in further in the role of marketing.”
Heather Arnold
TREASURER
Moments and Milestones
Established 2017
Credentials: Bachelor of Business Administration- Accounting from the University of Nevada and Masters in Business Administration from Texas State University.
“I recently joined AWPA last year because I wanted to surround myself with fellow planners that I could learn from professionally and personally. So far, this community has been nothing but amazing and beyond my expectations! I am honored and excited to be part of the board and continue supporting my fellow planners and vendor professionals.”
Shelby Kirchner
MEMBERSHIP
Plan On It Events and Design
Established 2019
Credentials: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Horticulture from Texas A&M University
"Being a part of AWPA has changed the game for me. Taking the time to invest in relationships with other wedding planners and committing to learn from others by prioritizing community over competition has been one of the best decisions I've made in my planning business. I am so excited to serve as the membership 2024 chair to grow our community of talented Austin wedding planners!"
Nicole Beglau
VENDOR REPRESENTATIVE
Nicole Ryan Photography est. 2010 ; Camino Real Ranch est. in 2019
Credentials: BA in Liberal Arts from University of St. Thomas
“I have been a Preferred Vendor in AWPA since its inception and have loved being a part of the growing vendor community, first as photographer and now as a venue owner. As someone to whom networking does not come naturally, I often felt a bit isolated from my peers until AWPA came around. This organization truly excels at bringing Austin vendors who share a similar set of standards and ethics together in a vibrant and friendly fashion. I'm honored and excited to join the board this year, and look forward to supporting my fellow vendors in this role!”