Last week I've spent a few days in Asheville, North Carolina for the Engage! Conference. It's a summit for luxury wedding professionals and every time I have the opportunity to attend, I feel so darn blessed. Being surrounded by esteemed industry peers is a highlight and I love every minute of it.

The luxury wedding summit was hosted at The Biltmore in Ashville, North Carolina. It's the former vacation home of the Vanderbilt family and makes me feel like I need to redefine my definition of vacation home.

One of the main reasons I attend every year is because it's a practice at social uncomfortability. I've said it before, but I have a black belt in awkwardness. Networking, mixing, and meeting new people for three days straight is a lot of hard work, but I love walking away with new opportunities and friends.

I had the distinct honor of speaking this year and I was honored to connect with such an amazing group of people.

One of my absolute favorite things about Engage! is the gala hosted at the end of the conference…it's like a grand wedding reception and I treat it as such. Libations, hor d'oeuvres, and dancing…I pretty much make up for every reception I spend working and enjoy every last minute of such a swanky party.

This year was a Great Gatsby themed gala and rumor has it a small group of us closed down the dance floor…F. Scott Fitzgerald would have been proud.

Thanks to Allan Zepeda who provided the lovely photos…and many special thanks for Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce of Engaging Concepts for hosting Engage and the strides they're making in the wedding industry.