9 things to smile about
Photo by Cameron Clark
A Splendid Note from Liene:
I’ve been fortunate to have worked with wedding pros from 94 countries over my career and I’ve heard from a ton of them this past month – all with similar questions, stories of lost business, uncertainties of what to say to clients who are completely stressed.
We’re all in this together. If you have questions on Coronavirus and your wedding business, feel free to email me at hello@thinksplendid.com.
I’ll be sharing my answers here on the Think Splendid blog so that everyone can benefit. I’ll also keep your name anonymous. Totally free, no strings attached – I truly do not care if you never hire me.
You can read all the previous Q+As on Coronavirus and your wedding business here or you can sort by Q+A topic category using the links in the sidebar.
Focus on the Splendid
We're an industry that makes our living by celebrating life's milestones, and I’ve been starting each post with a couple of positive COVID-19 related things we can all smile about.
Today’s post, however, is only good things: some heartwarming stories, some interesting, non-depressing pieces of news, some doses of humor if you need a laugh, etc.
Total Global Recoveries
The number of global recoveries is now more than 651,500 people, up from 611,500 on Sunday evening.
Be a Part of the Party From Afar
apart·y, a “free, not-for-profit listing service of small businesses offering creative services during this time of social isolation” officially launched last week.
From co-founder Jolene Peterson: “The impact of the coronavirus outbreak has hit us all extremely hard. Not only has it rocked our communities, families, and friends, it has also shaken our precious event industry to its core. While watching the world flip upside-down and wedding after wedding postpone to 2021, I felt compelled to shift gears and focus my energy on something positive and productive. I may not be able to serve on the frontlines to combat this crisis, but as an event planner, I feel I am in a unique position to bring people together in creative and uplifting ways. This social isolation, while essential, has nonetheless confirmed our inherent need to be connected to one another.
So, I have joined forces with my brilliant designer friend, Ashling, of Lotus & Ash, to do just that . . . connect people, even as we are forced to be apart.
Enter apart·y . . . helping people be a part of the party from afar.
apart·y is a network of creatives and small businesses doing good deeds and helping to make memories while we must remain apart. It’s a free, zero-commission listing service that lets you and other small businesses advertise: 1) ways you can support frontline workers in the face of COVID-19, and 2) ways you can still deliver joy to help someone celebrate life’s greatest moments, big and small.“
You can learn more and apply to be a part of apart·y here and follow @a.part.y on Instagram here.
Andy Warhol Exhibition Opens Online at Tate Modern
From Tate Modern: “This major retrospective is the first Warhol exhibition at Tate Modern for almost 20 years. As well as his iconic pop images of Marilyn Monroe, Coca-Cola and Campbell’s soup cans, it includes works never seen before in the UK.
View the curator’s tour and explore the exhibition room by room.”
Taking Social Distancing to New Heights
Tragedy to Love
From the New Zealand Herald: “A woman who was caught up in deadly Las Vegas mass shooting has married the man who saved her life on that fatal night.
The couple were legally married on November 1, but still plan a proper wedding with friends and family after Covid-19 ruined their May wedding party plans. They plan to rearrange their wedding party and celebrate their remarkable love story when lockdown is over.”
Live Virtual Concerts To Brighten Your Quarantine
From NPR: “As more festivals, performances and concerts are canceled due to the coronavirus shutdown, musicians of all stripes and sizes are taking to social and streaming platforms to play live for their fans.
NPR Music is compiling a list of live audio and video streams from around the world, categorized by date and genre, with links out to streaming platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Some will require registration or a subscription, but most will be free, often with digital tip jars and opportunities to directly support artists by buying music and merchandise.”
Zoom Marriages Are Now Legal In New York
From Quartz: “At least one part of daily life will now have a chance to resume. Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order allowing couples to obtain licenses and marry “utilizing audio-video technology.”
At a conference, Melissa DeRosa, secretary to the governor, announced the order. “Video marriage ceremonies,” Cuomo said. “There’s now no excuse when the question comes up for marriage. No excuse. You can do it by Zoom.”
Bringing the Outside In
From National Geographic: “Journey through a blooming garden of dancing flowers in this incredible four-minute video. Visual effects artist and filmmaker Jamie Scott spent three years shooting the stunning springtime imagery in this continuous motion time-lapse.”
Tuning Out
From Aesthetica Magazine: 5 of the top literary podcasts and 5 new books across photography, architecture, and sculpture and 5 videos from the 2020 edition of the Aesthetica Art Prize.
Written by
LIENE STEVENS
Liene Stevens, the founder and CEO of Think Splendid, is an author, speaker, and award-winning business strategist. Armed with $2000, a healthy work ethic, and an undeserved dose of privilege, Liene bootstrapped Think Splendid from a scribble in a notebook to a successful wedding business consulting firm with a client list spanning 94 countries
