I have been shifting my business focus more toward Japanese wedding scenes from selling on etsy. It does not mean that I will close my etsy shop, but some opportunities have been opening up to get into making wedding dresses, and I am trying my best to embrace the change and move toward the new business goal.
As I was researching Japanese wedding scenes, I came across with a website called “Weco“. Weco is a short for “Wedding Coordinators”. It is an online publication which publishes books annually, featuring wedding planners, photographers, dress designers who work independently. I know it is pretty normal in the states to have freelance wedding planners, but here in Japan, wedding scenes are so dominated by hotels running everything; from fake chapel to priests, boutiques you MUST rent the dress from for very high price (usually goes up to 3000 U.S. dollars to rent) and even to small details like gifts to the guests. Weco features freelancers who work independently to create unique weddings. I thought the concept fits my vision perfectly.
Yesterday, I attended the party hosted by Weco. I was intimidated at first, since I was there alone. But it turned out many people there showed up alone themselves, and I was able to meet some cool people! The party decorations were done by Ayame, a free lance wedding planner who works in L.A. and Japan. The party had a great atmosphere with live music; I wish I could have taken Andy with me!
I wore this dress I made last year.
先日銀座で行われた、Weco2014年発売記念交流会に参加してきました。
Wecoとは、ウェディングコーディネーターのこと。
ウェディングの際に、式場を選ぶのではなく、ウェディングプランナーをまず選ぶ、ということを促進している媒体です。
一人で行ったので、ちょっと緊張してたのですが、
それぞれ違ったお仕事や背景を持った方と知り合いになれて、
勇気を出して行ってみて良かったな、と思いました。
パーティーも、素敵なライブミュージックと、プランナーのAyameさんの飾りつけが素敵で感激★
今後娘の誕生日会の飾りつけに真似しようと、色々アイディア頂いてかえってきました。
{find me elsewhere: shop, facebook, etsy, twitter, pinterest}
Ginger says
Wow, how cool! The weddings you’ve been a part of that you’ve blogged about have been so lovely- I’m sure you’d be great working in this field! Plus, more pretty dresses for us to peep at!
Chie says
Thank you Sonja! I’m looking forward to sharing more eye candy dresses!
Lauren says
Good luck to your new business adventures!
Chie says
Thank you!