May 2, 2008

A really big show

Local experts helped plan weddings in China

The Chinese do things in a big way. At a recent international Wedding Expo in Beijing, 20,000 couples gathered to plan their wedding in three days.

Denise Fattal/Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose, Nicole D'ambra/Nicole D'ambra Weddings & Events in San Jose, and Karen Casey/Karen Casey Events in Atlanta, members of the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC), helped Chinese couples plan weddings at a huge Wedding Expo.
Beijing Expo Center held a Wedding Expo for 20,000 couples and 300 vendors in February.

Denise Fattal, wedding and events coordinator for Silver Creek Valley Country Club, was there to help them. Fattal was invited to speak at the Expo because of her outstanding achievements and expertise. She and two other coordinators from the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC) represented the United States at the Expo.

Fattal has planned weddings and special events for Silver Creek Valley Country Club for the past nine years. The beautiful clubhouse and event center by the waterfall are the choice of 40-50 couples seeking a grandiose setting for their wedding each year.

China has a Secretary General of the “Wedding Service Committee,” who, during his keynote address, predicted that 140 million couples will marry in China this year. About 2.3 million couples wed in the U.S. each year.

Speaking through an interpreter was challenging, but a memorable experience, Fattal noted. She and the other Americans received standing ovations, answered many questions and were the center of media attention.

One souvenir of the trip is a certificate stating Fattal was served the 13,104th duck dinner at the Quan Ju De Peking Duck restaurant. Sightseeing included the Great Wall, Emperor’s Palace and Tian’anmen Square.

Silver Creek Valley Country Club is available for weddings and special events by members and non-members. For information, call (408) 239-5888 or email catering@scvcc.com.