Just When You Thought You Knew All About Facebook

If you're like me, you've attended countless Social Media presentations that teach you the ins and outs of Facebook and utilizing it to promote your company and event.

While I'm sure at this point you could probably give a "Facebook-How-To" presentation in your sleep, we recently stumbled upon a few articles that provide some interesting insight into when you should be utilizing Facebook to do said promotions and so-called "Facebook Blasts."

Just when you thought you knew everything there is to know...here are a few tips we wanted to "share" that you may "like" (Facebook jokes...they never get old).

1. In general, Wednesday is the worst day to post: interactions on Wednesdays are 7.4% lower than average.

2. Off-hours are the best time to post. Posts between 8pm and 7am received a 14% higher interaction than those published between 8am and 7pm.

3. Less is more when it comes to posts. Posting one to two times a day instead of going with the overkill route of five to...fifteen shows a 19% higher interaction rate.

4. A self-imposed 80 character wall for Facebook posts receives a 23% higher interaction than longer posts (but 75% of posts are beyond that limit currently!)

5. Use recognizable URLs (IE www.shopping.com/Raincoats instead of www.shopping.com/723582345/html/rain.coats.8213.post=213549fYl...we have no idea what that link means either. Nor do I think it actually leads you anywhere, so don't waste your time attempting to click it.)

6. Have your fans caption a picture or to "fill in the blank" -- both of those give you 4x more interaction.

7. You can schedule your posts! To schedule a post, switch to your page's admin view and look for a clock under the status window. Click that clock, and add the year, month, date and time you want your post to publish. Once you do this, a window will pop up to confirm that you have scheduled the post. Who knew!?

8. Highlight important posts -- highlighting fan posts is a great way to show that you care about your client's and site visitor's opinions. You can do this by clicking the "X" on the right corner of a post and selecting "highlighted on page."

9. Keep track of your "likes" so that you can return the favor. By making sure to "like" another company's page when they "like" yours, you show that you appreciate their acknowledgement of your Facebook page.


Sources:
Ragin
Mashable

We hope that these tips and tricks are helpful and that you haven't already heard them multiple times. I found them interesting and fresh, so I hope you do as well! Good luck Facebooking!

Local Vendor Spotlight: 2Bays DJs

Behind every jam-packed dance floor is a great DJ. We are fortunate to have a variety of fabulous DJs in the Northern Michigan region (and many that are willing to travel to Northern Michigan from other parts of Michigan...especially because they look forward to the opportunity to take a Traverse City vacation).

However, there is one DJ company that immediately comes to mind when referring vendors to our clients and brides. That company is the always phenomenal 2Bays DJs. 

Photo via Photography by Scarlett

We contacted 2Bays DJs owner, Scott Perry, and threw some questions his way so that we could provide you with a (drum roll please...) Local Vendor Spotlight! Scott provided us with what we consider to be the best possible answers we could have received, so please enjoy this blog post and see exactly why we love to work with 2Bays DJs.

Events North: What is your favorite part of a wedding and/or reception?

Scott Perry: It'd be easy to say the dancing portion of the evening.  That's everyone's favorite part, right?  Truth be told, one of my favorite parts of your "big day" is the very start of the reception.  Friends and family are starting to trickle in, and they all have a giant grin on their face.  As a DJ, we make friends instantly as they roll in, everyone is excited to be there and excited to have 2Bays DJs there.  The best feeling at a wedding is the understanding that every guest is there to have a great time, and we're there to facilitate that.

EN: What makes 2Bays DJs unique?

SP: What makes us unique?  One of our DJs is a cyborg,  one of our DJs has a T-Rex arm, one of our DJs dresses up as Madonna on Wednesdays, one of our DJs sounds just like Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of our DJs can solve a rubiks cube from across the room, and only one of the previous statements is blatantly false.

(side note: we in the Events North office have come to the conclusion that the blantently false statement is that one of their DJs can solve a rubiks cube from across the room. That's just ridiculous.)

EN: What is one of the funniest moments you've experienced during a wedding?

SP: DJing around 100 weddings a year, it's terribly difficult to nail one down. But the choreographed groomsmen line dance to "Man, I feel Like a Woman" from this summer is right at the top.

EN: What led you to start a DJ company in Traverse City?

SP: I started DJing weddings at the tender age of 20 (for another company).  I was pursuing a degree at Michigan State and answered an ad in the student newspaper.  By the time I was 22, partying with strangers was my favorite thing to do in the world, and a lot of college grads were struggling to find suitable jobs.  My friends fell into two categories: those who found a job and hated it, and those who were stuck in a cycle of interviews.  In the fall of 2008, I promised myself I would never depend on anyone else for work.  Here we are 4 years later, and I can't imagine it any other way.

EN: What is the best way to get in touch with you?

SP: If you're planning an event, visit us online at 2BaysDJs.com.  From there, you can check our availability online, get a customized quote for your event, and we'll have our cyborg DJ contact you to get your event locked into our calendar.

As you can see, 2Bays DJs are a blast to work with and we are lucky to have the opportunity to do so at so many events. Make sure you reach out to Scott Perry to book 2Bays at your next event!

What We're Thankful For

While we are thankful everyday for how lucky we are to have the things we have, live in such a gorgeous city and be healthy and happy, with Thanksgiving right around the corner (or a few days away...how did that happen?!), we thought a blog post about a few things we are thankful for would be an excellent idea.

Things I am thankful for, by Allison Beers:

1. My healthy, lovely children. (side note by Meaghan: Seriously, these children are adorable. I'm not even a huge fan of children and I love these nuggets. Plus, Anna calls me "Meggie"... I cannot even handle how precious she is.)

Thank you to Photography by Scarlett for taking this photo of Anna and Jake aka the most precious gems in the world.

2. My wonderful husband, who doubles as the Events North CFO.

3. The fact that I'm lucky enough to be blessed with a normal, sane and great immediate family.

4. That I love what I do and enjoy going to work every single day. 

5. That I get the opportunity to work with such amazing clients and make a difference in my community through the work I do with my non-profit clients.

What I'm thankful for, by Meaghan Jameson:

1. My amazing parents who, even across the country, support me and believe in me every single day.

My amazing family

2. The friends and relationships that I've made this past year that have helped to allow me to call Traverse City my home. Also, all of my friends back in Florida who stay in touch with me -- even if they only get to see me once of twice a year.

3. That 13 miniature tootsie roll pops only have 130 calories.

4. That I live somewhere that has seasons, allows me to look outside my office window and see the bay, where I can safely walk to work and where I have a variety of amazing restaurant options. 

5. That I get to work in a job where I am excited to go to the office every day and that allows me to constantly learn new things and work with different clients. Every day is different and it is fantastic.

And as a special bonus, Allison's daughter let us know what she is thankful for as well.

What I'm thankful for, by Anna Beers, age 4:

Anna's most recent school picture. Yes, she really is only four years old.

1. I am thankful for my great family!
2. I am thankful for my city

(although those are the two things Anna said she was thankful for, we're pretty sure that she is also thankful for Taylor Swift, Hello Kitty and her pink sparkly TOMS shoes.)

So, those are just a few of the things that we are thankful for. I hope that this Thanksgiving brings you nothing but excellent memories and full stomachs!

Because We Can't Resist: Halloween Treats that are so Cute, it's Scary!

What's not to love about Halloween? It's the perfect time of year. The leaves have all turned, the temperatures are dropping to sweater-weather (or in Traverse City's case....have dropped to the low 50s/high 40s. The scarves are out, my friends.)

Many people may love Halloween for the fact that they get to wear costumes and collect candy. Or because they are able to dress their precious children up in adorable outfits (For instance, Allison is dressing her children up as Harry Potter and Hermione this year).

We at Events North enjoy Halloween for all of those reasons, but we also love it because it allows us to whip up some adorably spooky sweets! We took on the really tough task of researching some great looking Halloween treats that you can easily prepare for a spooky soiree or even just for a fun family dessert!

1. Scary Spider Snack Cakes

Adorable Spiders via myrecipe

2. Bittersweet Chocolate Cookies

Spooky Skeletons via myrecipe

3. Candy Corn Cakes

Cute Cakes via all you

4. Pumpkin Cheesecake Ghost Bars

This Ghosty Goodness is via all you

5. Little Monster Cupcakes

Cupcake Creations via myrecipes

6. Skeleton Cupcakes

Skeleton Sweets via myrecipes

We hope that you find one of these recipes useful! We can't wait to bake up some of these adorable goods...and if you do, feel free to stop over to the Events North office! We always like treats much better than tricks!

What a Wonderful Wedding Season!

You may have noticed a lack of blogging from the Events North office the past two weeks. We apologize profusely, but we were knee-deep in wedding season (in Meaghan's case, literally- her side of the office was almost consumed by boxes full of decor, crafting, gifts...the Fedex employees now know her by name).

We adore all of the clients we work with and these two couples were no exception. Jackie & Drew and Ashley & David were simply a blast to work with. From the moment we met them to the final hug goodbye- there was never a dull moment. Plus, they are some lovely looking couples- we cannot wait to share their wedding photos as soon as we receive them!

Not only have our brides and grooms been great the past two weekends- all of the vendors we worked with have been nothing short of fantastic. Because of that, we would like to use this week's blog post to give a shout out to all of the exceptional individuals and companies we had the chance to work with at these two weddings. We'll start out with Jackie & Drew's wedding, since that was the first of the two so that just makes the most sense.

Jackie and Drew held their rehearsal dinner at the fabulous Forty-Five North Vineyard & Winery. Channing and her staff not only turned over the room in record time, they were the perfect example of what a hospitable staff should be. Grandview Catering provided the rehearsal dinner spread, which was (as usual) mouth-wateringly delicious. I'm still dreaming about their pulled pork and vegetable skewers.

The wedding took place at Snow Moon Ranch. If you haven't visited, I highly recommend it. Not only is Juliet, the owner, completely wonderful- the view from the ceremony site is outstanding, the rustic barn setting is perfection...and it's a llama farm. Way too fun, we know.

This was the backdrop at the Snow Moon Ranch. Northern Michigan at its finest!

Jackie and Drew could not have chosen a better assortment of vendors. We had such a wonderful time working with all of them both pre-event and on-site. Catering was provided by Epicure Catering. Cammie and her entire staff simply blew us away. Not only were the meals exceptional, their presentation was great and their professionalism on-site was extremely impressive. They even provided late-night sweet potato fries and black bean burger sliders- what's not to love!?

The cake for the evening was created by Aunt B's Cakes. It was truly a work of art (and the guests mentioned more than a few times that it was absolutely delicious). Aunt B's even created pine cones out of chocolate- incredible. We know.  While we're on the subject of works of art, we cannot forget to mention Derek and his crew at the Floral Underground for their unbelievable centerpieces and floral designs. The Floral Underground always surpasses any expectations we have, but these centerpieces were outstanding. No centerpiece was the same- we really do not know how Derek's creative brain works, but he nails his floral designs every time.

The reception entertainment for the evening was provided by Dan at 2Bays DJs, who had the wedding guests out on the dance floor from the first song all the way until the very last one. 2Bays DJs is one of our favorite Northern Michigan DJ companies- we know that when they're on site, the dancing portion of the night is bound to be successful.

Now, on to Ashley and David's wedding.

The rehearsal dinner took place at Red Ginger, which absolutely never disappoints. Red Ginger's staff is just as excellent as the pot stickers they serve...which are the best I have ever had, so that's saying something.

Ashley and David's ceremony and reception took place at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. We get almost overly excited to plan events at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa- especially when we get the chance to work with the lovely Rachelle. Rachelle always goes above and beyond to make sure that no details go unnoticed and that the bride and groom are beyond satisfied. Plus, she's just a joy to work with- which can really be said for the entire resort staff. They made sure that the wedding was absolutely perfect and we cannot wait to work with them again!

An overview of Ashley and David's romantic reception at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Aren't those candles just gorgeous!?

The Floral Underground provided the floral design for this wedding as well. The combination of hundreds of candles (there had to be at least 100 on the head table alone) and fabulous fall-colored centerpieces completed the decor. Photography was provided by the wonderful Harrison Studio from Grand Rapids. This was our first time working with Laura and Ben and we really hope that we get the chance to do so again soon!

Bayshore Strings did a lovely job with the ceremony music- even in the 40 degree weather! The DJ for the evening was Urban Kris, who we really cannot say enough great things about. Kris kept the party going all night long and made sure that everyone had a fantastic time. He was professional, personable and just did an overall great job!

A few other vendors that we simply cannot forget to mention:

- Sperry Tents provided a stunning sail-cloth tent for Jackie and Drew's reception. The tent was so well-taken care of and Dan and his staff were so helpful and great to work with!
- Distinctive Rentals provided gorgeous chivari chairs for both weddings, making the reception picture-perfect.
-Special Events Rentals set-up all of the lighting for Ashley and David's reception (including a few remote-controlled LED globes, which were a huge hit during the dancing-portion of the evening). Their expertise and quality rentals helped set the "candle-light romantic" tone the couple was striving for.
-American Rentals provided all of the tables and ceremony chairs for Jackie and Drew's wedding. As usual, they were able to accommodate all of our needs and handled rental deliver and pick-up with ease.
- The Homestead Resort hosted a gorgeous brunch for Jackie and Drew- their entire staff was extremely attentive and the breakfast spread was enjoyed by everyone in attendance!
- Our linens for both events were provided by the always wonderful Cloth Connection.
- Blockhouse Design exceeded our expectations again with all of the graphic design for printed materials for both weddings. We really just do not have the adjectives to describe what a sensational job Erin at Blockhouse does every.single.time. She just... gets it. We love it.
- Rebecca Kinnee Photography was on-site during Jackie and Drew's wedding to capture some photos of guests with Llamas, as well as to snap a few detail shots for us to share with you! She always does an excellent job and is great to work with!
- Kara Purtell did the photography for Jackie and Drew's wedding and was lovely to work with!
- Pavlova European Spa & Salon was on site for both weddings to provide their hair and make-up services. Pavlova always does an outstanding job- we highly recommend their services!
- Wendy Hutchingson with Weddings Your Way officiated Ashley and David's wedding and did a superb job adding in the couple's personal touches and making sure the ceremony fit their requests exactly.
- Paul from Mackinaw Trolley Company made sure Ashley & David's bridal party had a blast on their trolley ride. Despite the rain, Paul made sure that no one left the trolley feeling they'd had anything less than a great time!
- Celtic Transportation made sure that guests were able to get from the Homestead to Snow Moon Ranch and back again for Jackie and Drew's wedding and also provided transportation from Grand Traverse Resort and Spa to Red Ginger for Ashley and David's Rehearsal Dinner. Noreen is so easy to work with and all of their drivers were very personable!


Clearly, we have an extreme appreciation for people who are passionate and who excel at what they do. Make sure to check out the vendors listed above in this post- you won't be sorry!

Thank you to everyone mentioned for making us love what we do!

A Few of our Favorite Places to Find Inspiration

When planning an event, it is safe to say that you find inspiration everywhere. Whether it be the color of a leaf on a tree you see on your morning walk to work, a pattern on a scarf you notice while shopping on the weekend or simply while browsing one of our favorite places to search for wedding details and favors, Etsy.

We obviously find inspiration in places that were created specifically for that purpose like Pinterest, but we have to give a shout out to some of our favorite industry related magazines for being wonderful and keeping us on our toes with new trends and relevant articles.

- Michigan Meetings + Events. Not only is this magazine regionally based, allowing us to really target the trends and upcoming events happening in Michigan, it also has an extremely active Facebook page. It's like getting two for the price of one- we get to explore the pages of the magazine and also enjoy extra tidbits shared on the Facebook page, which range from articles they find from outside sources to additional information that they found post-publication for that month. We're huge fans and you should be too!

- BizBash BizBash is wonderful for a variety of reasons. One of those is that they showcase events from Miami, Florida to Toronto- it is so interesting to be able to see what so many different places are up to! Another is that they always keep their information fresh and entertaining. Every time I pick up the latest BizBash, I find myself reading about an idea I had never seen before- and I always love them. Finally, they are extremely active on their Twitter page, which makes them so fun to follow.

- Special Events Magazine. From informing their reader on simple ways to go Green at their events (which we love- seriously, you should see the recycling center in the Events North office. We don't mess around when it comes to saving the environment), to forecasting the top 50 upcoming trends in the event industry, Special Events Magazine always has something interesting and informative to share. They also offer a plethora of their articles on their website, making it easy for you to check them out when you misplace your paper copy of the magazine.

We also find inspiration from some of our daily blog reads and vendor guides (aka guilty pleasures that are actually considered "gathering information for work"...win/win!). I should note that you should probably open these links when you have an hour...or three to spare. They are fabulously addicting. Some of our favorites include:

Simply Blue (Northern Michigan wedding guide and a fantastic blog- we cannot stress how much we adore this site!)
Hostess with the Mostess (Her themed posts will inspire you to throw the best parties ever.)
The Knot (Inspiring ideas and an impressive list of vendors from all over the country. A must for Brides-to-be.)
Style Me Pretty (Warning: You will stay on this site for hours- yes. plural.)
The Awesometastic Blog (Not only is reading her blog like listening to your best friend chat with you, she keeps it simple by posting one or two ideas a day- a quick and effective read that still makes you smile.)
Green Wedding Shoes (They feature a ton of articles on how to keep costs down while letting your creativity shine through...how can you go wrong with that? Seriously.)
Emmaline Bride (Their DIY section is one of my favorite things. Ever.)


The list really just goes on and on. Learning from other's successes and ideas is wonderful and having the tools to do so via websites, magazines and blogs is simply wonderful.

Where do you find inspiration? Share some of your favorite sources- we love adding new pages to our bookmarks tab!

Bridal Blog: Fall Inspiration Board

Whether we're ready or not, Fall is upon us. Once September rolled around, my cravings for Pumpkin Spice lattes and Warm-colored scarves returned- there is no use denying them.

Fall in Northern Michigan is such a gorgeous time to hold a wedding. The weather is perfect- the sunsets are still breathtaking and the fall colors are just phenomenal...it's basically like having a built in color palate- how convenient!

Since our Fall-fever is in full swing at the Events North office (seriously...we're ordering our caffeinated beverages hot instead of on ice. We even stopped listening to the "Summer Hits of the 90's" Pandora station. Big moves over here.), we decided that this week our blog post should be a fun inspiration board for upcoming and future Fall Brides and Grooms! Meaghan had a blast creating this inspiration board, so I hope you enjoy (and maybe use a few of these ideas for your own wedding or event!)

Sources from top left to bottom right: Boutonniere | Caramel Apples | Pumpkin Cake | Pumpkin Initials | Orange Shoes & Socks | Apple Bride and Groom | Fall Flowers | Rustic Favors

We hope that you are falling for Fall as much as we are right now (so corny, I know...but I really couldn't resist)!

Vendor Spotlight: ECCO

To put it simply, Traverse City is just a sensational place to hold a wedding or event. Venue options are plentiful and there are just so many diverse options to choose from.

With that said, this week we are highlighting one of our favorite newer venues, ECCO.

Source: Allen-Kent Photo

While we may be somewhat partial to the ECCO event space because we handle their Venue Rentals, we honestly would be obsessed with it regardless.

While one of the first things to note about what makes ECCO great is that it's located smack dab in the middle of downtown Traverse City (literally, right on Front Street...you cannot get any closer than that!), the fact that you have the freedom to bring in your own alcohol (which can save you a couple hundred...sometimes even thousands) and to use the caterer of your choice is a huge detail to keep in mind.

Source: Allen-Kent Photography

In addition to that, when you rent the ECCO space for your event, you have full access the entire weekend. While some venues only allow a 3-5 hour set up window the morning of your event, you can feel comfortable knowing that you have an entire 3 day span to both set up and tear down your event. As event planners, we cannot emphasis what an immense sigh of relief we exhale when we know that the set-up won't have to be rushed. Maximum set up time ensures maximum ability to give attention to every single detail!

Another thing that makes ECCO so wonderful and unique is that, with it's exposed brick wall and neutral colors, it is the perfect blank canvas for you to create your dream event. ECCO has hosted everything from Corporate VIP Dinners to Roller Derby Parties to Wedding Receptions to Fashion Shows..the possibilities truly are endless!

Some statistics and quick facts about ECCO:

- The main event room is approximately 4,800 square feet
- ECCO can hold up to 318 people, but 260 is the recommended number for comfortable seating with a dance floor. However, if your guest list is smaller, we can adjust the layout to ensure that your event has an intimate and cozier feel.
- ECCO provides all tables and chairs for your event. Additionally, the ECCO staff will set up your tables and chairs in an arrangement of your choosing. They will work with you to make sure that your room layout meets your expectations and needs exactly.
- Freedom to provide your own liquor and work with the caterer of your choice
- Two movable bars and 5 cocktail tables are provided for you on site.
- ECCO provides an iPod ready sound system and a wireless microphone for you to utilize.
- A Venue Manager will be on site for the entirety of your event to make sure that all of your needs venue-wise are taken care of.

...and all of that is included in your $3750 venue rental fee.

Make sure that your next Traverse City visit includes a tour of ECCO- you won't want to pass up a chance to see one of the most unique venues in town. Contact Meaghan at 231.944.9179 or Meaghan@EventsNorth.com to schedule a tour...or even just to inquire about more information- she's happy to help with whatever you need!

Using Social Media to Promote Your Event

We are definitely in the age of technology. As much as I hate to admit it, I have a mini panic attack every time I don't have my iPhone within an arm's reach. I feel like I've been a let down when I don't tweet someone back or answer a Facebook message as promptly as I do voicemail or emails.

Some people and companies may be reluctant to embrace the era of social media that is upon us and to that I say: use social media to your advantage. It is your friend, not your enemy- I promise.

So this week we dedicate our blog post to social media and some of the ways that you and your company can use it to your advantage while promoting your next event. These next few tips are simple, effective, and best of all: FREE (who doesn't love that? If it's free it's for me!)

1. Create a Pre-event Buzz
Utilize your Facebook page or send out an email blast to encourage your fans and potential attendees to sign up and share the event with their friends. You can even offer prizes for the individual who refers the most people or a discount when a certain number of their friends buy a ticket. 

If you're feeling really fancy, you can utilize sites such as Meteor Solutions helps you to incentivize your event by offering rewards for sharing your content.

2. Encourage your guests to use a pre-agreed upon Hashtag when discussing your event on their own personal social media sites. Make sure you inform them of the exact hashtag to use (For example: #EventsNorth or #TinasWedding2012) so that there are not two or three different types floating around. Hashtags allow you to promote your event and include it in conversation threads. If you have enough people discussing your event, it may even start trending within your area- the ultimate social media accomplishment!

3. Keep up the buzz by keeping some things a surprise. If you keep mentioning snippits of what is to come at the event via social media outlets, but don't let your guests know the whole picture until the day-of...they're more likely to stay hooked. Even snapping mystery pictures and showing them bit by bit to your social media audience works. Your attendees will remain engaged by guessing what is to come and keep checking back...once the get a hint of what's to come they'll keep coming back for more!

4. Use QR codes on your ads or Facebook page to allow people to easily access your website. A large majority of people are smartphone owners, so they can snap a picture of the QR code and be led to your site immediately. This will allow you to give them an abundance of extra information that you couldn't fit onto your ad.

5. Encourage your attendees to check in at the event using Facebook Check-ins or Foursquare. This will allow them to promote your event on their Facebook or Twitter. Their friends can then simply click on the link and be directed to your page and find out easily exactly where your event is...and see what they're missing out on!

6. Have a lot of things going on at once? Utilize live videostreaming of your event via Facebook or Youtube to allow attendees (and virtual guests following along at home) to catch a glimpse of the speeches or concerts they're missing.

7. Create a Twitter Wall at your event. Mashable Business explains this concept best: "The most successful social media campaigns merge what’s happening online with what’s happening offline. Setting up Twitter walls throughout the event space is an effective way to entice attendees to get involved in the online discussions stemming from the event.

If you’re running a smaller gathering, consider creating a virtual welcome wall near the registration area so that you can say hello to attendees on Twitter as they check-in. When attendees see their username displayed on the screen, next to your hashtag, they’ll be encouraged to get involved.

There are a number of vendors that provide Twitter wall functionality, including Socialping, Visible Tweets and TweetWally. Each offer varied levels of customizability and analytics. Just be sure to think through filtering options and map out a plan for the worst-case scenario, like a hashtag hijack."

8. Make sure to follow up post-event. Thank your guests for coming via Facebook or Twitter. Send out a follow-up email to let everyone know the event specs and how much you appreciated them coming out. Already know the dates for the following year's event? Post them on your Facebook or Twitter and let your guests know so they can plan ahead.

Social Media is such a useful tool and in today's day and age...if you're not using it, you're behind the times. Make sure your event promotions are up to date and watch your event attendance (and number of twitter followers) soar!


Sources for a few of these tips include:
Social Media Examiner
and
Mashable Business

Bridal Blog: A Creative Way to Register for What You Need

Sometimes you just do not need another blender or another set of towels as wedding gifts. Perhaps you're simply just too busy to go to Macy's (or even to go to Macys.com) and register for all of the things you'd like to receive from your wedding guests. You might already own an impressive amount of home goods...

Or maybe you really would just prefer cash.

Well, we recently stumbled upon a new online-registry that allows you to ask for cash while still allowing your guests to gift you that cash in a more personal way.

Wedding Republic is basically an online wish list that couples can create and send to all of their guests, but instead of listing the specific products that they would like, it lists different items or expenses that the monetary donations are going towards. For example, "Our first dog" or "Our honeymoon" or even "The mortgage on our first home."

The site operates by having the couple select the price points for certain items (for instance, you may have your sights set on a brand new TV. If the TV costs $750, then you can split that gift into six parts of $125 each, three parts of $250 each, or even leave it as one whole piece of $750. It's completely up to you!). The items are then displayed as a puzzle with the pieces representing the amount needed to purchase the entire item. Once an item is completely paid for, it becomes locked. It's that easy!

It seemed too good to be true...and there are not a whole lot of reviews out there on Wedding Republic because it is so new, so I, Meaghan, decided to test out the site myself to see how simple it was and to figure out "what the catch" was. After creating a fictional account for my fake fiancé, Tom, and myself, I was happy to find that signing up for this site was a piece of cake (the really delicious vanilla-butter cream kind. You know what I'm talking about) and sending out the information to tell guests how to use the site to donate was even easier.

How It Works For Couples

1 Create Your Wishlist Set up your free registry in minutes! You can choose from our list of gift ideas or customize your registry by adding your own!

2 Share It With Guests Share your registry with friends and family through email, Facebook or by adding a custom link to your wedding website.

2 Share It With Guests Share your registry with friends and family through email, Facebook or by adding a custom link to your wedding website. 3 Watch As Guests Contribute Login to see who has contributed to your registry. Forgot something? No worries, you can edit your list anytime! 4 Collect Your Funds Congratulations, you're married! When you're ready to close your registry, simply login and collect your funds.

3 Watch As Guests Contribute Login to see who has contributed to your registry. Forgot something? No worries, you can edit your list anytime!
4 Collect Your Funds Congratulations, you're married! When you're ready to close your registry, simply login and collect your funds.

The only "catch" was that when guests choose which piece of your registry they'd like to purchase for you, the site does
add a 4.5% processing fee to their purchase...which if you think about it, is even cheaper that Michigan's sales tax.

All in all, this website seems like a wonderful way to allow a bride and groom to ask for cash only, but still allow guests to feel like they're giving more of a "gift." It also allows the couple to still thank their guests for specific items. Instead of "Thank you for your generous donation" they can write out a card saying "Thank you for helping us to purchase our future dog, Rover! I'll be sure to send pictures as soon as we adopt him so you can see how adorable he is!"

Asking your guests for "cash only" gifts has never been easier!

(Source for Pictures)

Guest Blogger: Macaila Schlaff! "What I Learned During my Internship with Events North"

For those of you who didn't know, we had the privilege of having Macaila for our summer Event Coordinator. Macaila was an absolute dream to work with and we could not have asked for a more perfect fit. We asked her if she'd mind talking a little bit about her internship at Events North and she was happy to provide some answers for us! Tomorrow is her last day with us and we're still in denial, but here is a look into Macaila's internship with Events North: 

Meaghan, Allison, and Macaila on site at an event!

What are 3-5 things you have learned from your internship with Events North?

1. No matter what happens, there is no need to freak out. Allison Beers is a calm and collected professional who has taught me that when an incident occurs, panicking is only a waste of time. The best solution is to think about the problem, then either come to a realistic resolution or if there is nothing to be done then accept the fact that it is the way it is.

2. Networking is not as easy as it seems, but also not as scary as you think. When first entering the professional world, networking appears to be simple…you go to an event, talk to some people and hand out your card. However, there is a lot more too it. Walking into a room where you are not only the youngest person but the “new girl” too is very intimidating…I felt like the awkward girl at a high school dance just waiting for someone to come over. Then I realized that I need to make moves, I have nothing to lose if I just go talk to people and see what they do, how they got involved in their industry and their experiences. Being young was not a disadvantage like I believed because people were interested to hear my career goals and happy to give their advice on growing in the professional world. They had been in my shoes before and knew how to relate. Networking can be compared to going to a new school, the first day can be overwhelming but if you be yourself and get out there you are sure to find new friends and connections!

3. Always have your business card on you. Everyone and anyone you meet could be a potential client.

4. Be confident in all that you do. Before this internship I second-guessed choices and worried that my ideas/work would not meet expectations or be as good as someone else’s. Allison gave me large responsibilities but also gave me the tools I needed in order to be confident in the final product of those tasks. I make sure to triple check, ask if I need assistance, take time to perfect but also be efficient. Allison gave me constructive criticism on the assignments I turned in, and in addition she made sure to tell me when my work was fantastic.

           

What was your favorite event or experience in general?

I don’t think there was just one event that was my absolute favorite because each one taught me something new and when you are with the Events North team there is no such thing as a “boring event.”  I genuinely loved all the events I was a part of because our clients are fantastic people to work with and I spend my days with the two most fun people I know. 

One that sticks out was the LaBelle Family Reunion (also known as LFR to honorary members of the family…aka Meaghan and I) and Frank Wedding Weekend Bananza was one of the craziest, busiest, most fun events! It resulted in family shenanigans, karaoke contests, hiding out in a closet with Allison Beers and an intense dance party with the Events North team. Oh, and did I mention that Allison rapped the entire “shoop” song by Salt and Pepper to Meaghan and I…just one of the many skills she possesses. (owner's note: I'm mortified that Macaila told you I rapped the entire "Shoop" song by Salt and Pepper

...when the name of the group is "Salt and Pepa." I made her aware of her mistake, don't worry.)

 Two of my favorite parts about working with Events North were shopping days for different clients….there is something about spending money on random event items that is very entertaining. Also, just work days in the office where we are all in intense work-mode but on random occasion someone blurts out something weird or hilarious and just for a moment we get distracted for a mental break. The dynamic between the three of us works to make our job good-busy.

Meaghan and Macaila before the DTCA Annual Dinner

What has this internship taught you?

1. How to manage social media

2. How to market and promote events

3. How to properly budget for each client

4. How to spark my creativity and stretch my brain for ideas

5. How to construct a proposal

6. How to organize and collaborate with vendors

           

The list of things I have learned this summer are infinite. Not only will I take the valuable skills I acquired and apply them to my future career….hopefully in event planning…but I also have improved my life skills and grown up a little more during this internship.

           

What is some advice you have for future interns?

1. Always be early.

2. Events North is not just a company to work for- they are like gaining a new family. I spend about 100 hours a week with them and yes they are my bosses but I also know that I can come to them with anything.

3. If you don’t genuinely enjoy coming to work every day then this is not the job for you. People ask me how I deal with the insane hours and jam-packed days but it honestly rocks! I love what I do and who I work with. Events North is the best company to work for…no joke.

4. Pay attention to every detail, write everything down so you don’t forget and ask questions when you need to.

5. Have fun! Don’t be too serious all the time or you will not enjoy your job. Events North is a fun group so don’t be the odd one out.

Events North Staff onsite at an event

What will you miss the most?

1. Allison and Meaghan :(

2. Dr. Dre Pandora

3. Event Days

4. Ruby the Michigan Blood Drop Mascot

5. Road trips. Especially when I sit in the back seat and feel like I’m being driven to soccer practice or have to fit into a four year olds car seat. (editor's note: we did not actually make Macaila sit in a four year old's car seat....more than once.)

The Things we Carry: Our Event Box

They say you can tell a lot about a woman by what she carries in her purse. I agree, considering if you looked inside Meaghan’s purse, you would find neon band-aids, some tie dye wayfarer flip-up sunglasses, packs of gum, Events North business cards and an apple at all times. Meaghan likes to think this says she is “fun, but prepared!”

Our trusty event box!

While Events North does not have a “Purse,” we consider our event box to be a huge reflection on who exactly we are. Our event box is on site with us at every event we manage and is an excellent example of the things we carry. So, we decided that devoting a blog post to our beloved event box would give you a little better look into our lives.

So, here are some of the things we carry in our event box:

Just a few of the things we have inside our event box.

·      Tic Tacs: fresh breath is a must.

·      Clippers: A.K.A. an event planner’s BFF. These snip even the toughest of materials. Zip ties, metal…our clippers can conquer.

·      Corkscrew: you never know when the bar is going to need an extra!

·      Exacto knives (in floral prints of course).

·      Lighters: We guarantee that your candles will remain lit so your event will be sure to get glowing reviews (We couldn’t resist the pun).

·      Flash light: You never know when you’re going to need that extra bit of light.

·      Tide to go: Stain free is the only way to be…plus, red wine + white wedding dresses sometimes= disaster. We have you covered.

·      Memory card: To be sure that we capture each and every moment.

·      Duct Tape: Multiple rolls. We promise things will not fall apart on our watch.

·      Tool kit: “Can we fix it?! YES WE CAN!”

·      Paper clips, tacs, safety pins, post-its, pens, pencils, sharpies, stapler: Our event box also doubles as an on-the-go office!

·      Zots: glue dots that hold things down to protect them from wind. They are one of our favorite discoveries to date. If you have not experienced Zots, please remedy this immediately.

·      Zip ties: Zip ties just hold it all together! Whether we need them to hold banners, tie together materials, etc.- Zip ties are always an excellent solution!

·      Kleenex: For both touching moments and touch ups. Yes, we do tend to cry at your wedding ceremony.

·      Rhinestones: You can never have enough sparkle!

·      Ribbon: Last minute details are no issue for us!

·      Make up: We want to make sure to look good while we make your event look great!

Our box is crucial to our event success. It’s always better to be over-prepared than to have to rush and collect materials last minute. I hope by getting a look into our event box, you have an even better idea of who Events North is and what we do!

What does your purse/prep box say about you? We’d love to know!