Our WIPA story
The WIPA magic began in 2008, when two event professionals, Joyce Scardina Becker and Sharon Jensen, felt the wedding industry needed a not-for-profit, member-run association that truly represents the industry and protects the consumer. The associations that existed were planner-centric and did not address the needs of a diverse set of creative and production partners. They were also run as for-profit businesses by non-wedding professionals, and lacked true quality education and networking opportunities.
With this, the idea for WIPA was born. Twenty top wedding industry professionals contributed $20,000 to create the first chapter in Southern California. These founding members volunteered their time, money, and energy to make a difference in the wedding industry by establishing a strong code of ethics and providing industry-leading education.
Thirty people attended the first exploratory meeting at Wildflower Linen to introduce WIPA to the industry. The response was overwhelming, and weeks later the first official meeting was held at Rrivre Works. The event took place at 10 a.m. on a weekday—over 150 attended. Good Gracious! served delectable food and plenty of champagne, and attendees were dazzled as 10 florists took over different areas of the Rrivre Works showroom. The design showcase that would become a WIPA event trademark was born. As Steve Kemble entertained and educated guests on styles, trends, and the hidden secrets of events, he invited the day’s designers to join him on the panel. With this spectacular meeting, the standards of WIPA design and education began.
“The design showcase that would become a WIPA event trademark was born.”
The first official meeting · Rrivre Works, 2008
Within a matter of years, WIPA grew from coast to coast and internationally—setting new standards of ethics, education, association conduct, and dazzling meetings. The WIPA board welcomes you to join this family of exceptional wedding professionals.
Founding WIPA members
WIPA thanks these incredible founding members for their leadership, dedication, and vision:
- Joyce Scardina Becker, Events of Distinction
- Pauline Parry, Good Gracious! Events
- Elaine Bell, Elaine Bell Catering
- Penton Media
- La Tavola Linen
- Wild Flower Linen
- Paula LeDuc
- Carneros Inn
- Therese Cole-Hubbs, ACS Event Services, now Electric Karma
- Cachet Wedding Design
- Paula Laskelle, Champagne Tastes Weddings
- Patrick McMichael, CSEP, Denon & Doyle Entertainment Group
- Sharon Dexmier, Napa Valley Linens
From one chapter to twenty-five
What began with twenty founders in Southern California now reaches coast to coast—with new chapters forming every year.
If you have any feedback or questions, please contact us.