Let's Get Down to the Details

Event Planning is all about the details. You can plan a gorgeous event with flawless decor...but if you paint the table numbers the incorrect shade of red, your superb lighting designs and stunning floral arrangements may be overlooked. Details are extremely important- from the correct type of flowers to making sure that certain seasonings are kept off of meals.

Events North has had a lot of detail-oriented work lately (which can be credited mainly to our fantastic wedding season). We also made sure to have a photographer on site to capture all of our detailed work to share! So, without further ado, here are some highlights from a few of our past weddings...because  who doesn't love to "Oooo" and "Ahhhh"over some delightful wedding details?!

The gorgeous centerpiece was created by The Floral Underground. Events North put together the guest gift bags- each had a small bag of dried cherries inside- a Northern Michigan staple!

Place cards sometimes double as meal markers- the colored leaves were used to indicate meal choices.

Easel was rented from Porterhouse Productions. Meaghan hand wrote the fantastic (and descriptive) menu provided by the always-fantastic Epicure Catering to match the organic feel of this wedding.

The place cards/menu cards at this next wedding were caramel apples, which went well with the Fall theme and colors that were used for decor.

We painted fake pumpkins gold and modge-podged the bride and groom's initials onto them to create a fun and theme-friendly centerpiece for the place card table- it was so easy and was the perfect addition to the decor!

We used fonts from the bride and groom's wedding invitations to create this sign to go next to the cider station.  Cider was a hit and kept guests warm and content!

The candy table at this wedding was one of my favorite DIY projects I've tackled to date! We found all of the vintage candy from online wholesale websites, collected a variety of candy jars in different shapes and sizes and then found a template online to create the labels- guests loved being able to relive their childhood with the vintage candy!

Candy Labels- they were so simple to create and were definitely the cherry on top of the candy table!

We spray painted wooden table numbers gold and stuck them into The Floral Underground's stunning centerpieces. Guests were able to easily find their seats and the numbers went great with the floral designs.

Since this wedding was located at a local vineyard, it was only appropriate to create place cards out of wine corks. By shaving off the bottom of the cork and glue-dotting (we swear by "ZOTS") the corks to the table, they held up well against the wind! 

The Floral Underground (You may notice by now that we tend to play favorites...but c'mon, they're amazing) created these centerpieces, which were the perfect mix of fun and romantic.

These wooden chairs completed the look of the reception area...not to mention the weather was absolutely perfect. 

A special thank you to Dan Stewart Photography and Rebecca Kinnee Photography for capturing these details.

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!

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!

What We Have Been up to Lately!

You probably noticed that the Events North Blog Post is a little late.

While we are not fans of excuses, we're going to use one anyways: We have been ridiculously busy and did not have a spare moment to write up a blog post worthy of your viewing until right now...

which is exactly how we like it!

What have we been up to you ask? Well, this blog post is going to give you a VIP peak into a few of the many events that Events North has been a part of recently/is working on currently.

A few things we just finished up:

Elena and Andrew's Wedding

The ceremony- thanks to The Floral Underground for the fabulous Chuppah!

 It was absolutely gorgeous! Elena and Andrew have been one of our favorite couples we've gotten to opportunity to work with. They're both just genuinely good people (both with an excellent sense of humor, which we LOVE!) and they know exactly what they want out of life.

The Hora! What a fun group!

 Their wedding was at the beautiful Ciccone Vineyard and Winery (The views were almost too good to be true- seriously, the sunset was simply breathtaking. We could not have asked for a more stunning location).

The Events North Crew on Wedding Day!

Events North was there for their entire wedding planning process, so this day was extra special for us since we got a chance to get to know the happy couple on a more personal level. The weather was perfect, the vendors were great and all of the guests had a spectacular time!

2.  Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association Event

We're in the final planning stages of both an opening and a closing event for the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association. Not only has this client been simply wonderful to work with, we have had a blast planning all of the activities and themes for these two events, which both take place at the beautiful Boyne Mountain Resort.

The first event is an Olympic themed Family Event, so not only do we get to display our American pride all day long, we get the extremely fun task of facilitating Olympic games and crafts! Bonus: there will be a bounce house, exceptional food, and a "closing ceremony" where we will announce the winners of the Olympic Games. 

The closing ceremony is on the fancier side- a dinner and musical performance by the outstanding Miriam Pico. We will make sure to put up a bunch of pictures from both nights on our Facebook page so you can see how everything turned out!

3. Pigstock

It's back! We're working with another one of our favorite clients, Cherry Capitol Foods, to put on this "food mayhem" event. If you're new to the world of Pigstock, here is a little background information: Pigstock is a four day event that features an array of activities and events (learning how to slaughter a pig, finding ways to cook the entire hog instead of wasting the meat, culinary classes, etc.) Pigstock attracts attendees from all over the state and we are so excited to be a part of it again this year! We will have much more information on everything Pigstock as the event draws nearer, but for now we just wanted to give you a little background information!

4. LaBelle Family Reunion

The view from the tent- not too shabby if you ask me!

We just finished up one of our absolute favorite events to date, The LaBelle Family Reunion. The reunion took place in a giant tent (thanks American Rentals!) on site at Sugar Beach Resort. Meaghan, our event manager, was on-site the entire weekend to make sure that the LaBelle Family had the best reunion possible.

The inside of the LaBelle Family Reunion Tent- Thanks for the great banner, Signs Now!

To give you an idea of how absolutely fantastic this family was, by the end of the reunion, Meaghan was trying to find a way to snag an invite to the next one. From Family Beach Olympics to a Karaoke Dance party, the LaBelle family made it clear they knew how to have an extraordinary time. 

Meaghan and Macaila doing time at Pirates Cove

Some highlights from the weekend included a parasailing adventure with Traverse Bay Parasail, Jetsking and Water Trampoline fun compliments of J & N Watersports, a morning cruise on the Nauticat, an afternoon of mini-golf and activities at Pirates Cove, a surprise 70th Birthday dinner at Lodell's, a tear jerking speech by Grandma Labelle, and delectable meals catered by the superb Chef Joseph George at Lochenheath.

That's just a taste of what we've been working on lately! We have so much more in store for 2012 and are even beginning to plan events for 2013. While we're always keeping busy, we absolutely adore our mix of corporate, social and nonprofit clients and honestly would not have it any other way!

We hope everyone else is enjoying their summer season as much as we have been- we love what we do!