Who doesn’t like to look at pictures…especially of weddings! Well, I have now linked my Lucky Girl Weddings Myspace page to this website. On my LGW Myspace you can view all the shots of my clients weddings. Granted, they are from me…not a professional…but hey, it is still fun to look! When I get the professional shots from the photographers that did their weddings I will post them on this main website.
View my Lucky Girl Weddings Myspace page now!
Last night, Amber VanDenBerg of Amber Dawn Wedding Consultants arranged for us (myself, Michelle of Memorable Events and Aletha of Pearls Events) to meet with Adam Clarke of NAYA Bistro & Wine Bar. We had a wonderful experience there. Not only were the beverages and food very tasty but the service was stellar and the facility was fun and stylish. Adam talked to us about our businesses, told us about what NAYA has to offer our clients, gave us a tour, and allowed us to taste some of the menu. NAYA has a great facility for small scale dinners and events. Check out their website for full details. www.nayagr.com
NAYA is somewhat of an undiscovered gem in Grand Rapids. Its location may not be the best but once patrons find it they will be sure to return again and again! It is located off of East Paris towards Cascade Road. From the outside it may look like a normal restaurant but once inside you can clearly see that its not average at all. The decor is modern and clean, the servers are laid back, yet professional, and the menu boasts local fare and brews.
I would recommend NAYA to anyone who is looking to host a small gathering, private party (such as a; bridal shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner) or even for a romantic and reasonably priced place to purpose! Ask for “The Cave” for added privacy…wink wink!
Thank you again Adam for a great evening! I will be sure to tell my clients and everyone else about NAYA Bistro & Wine Bar.
PS. Wine tasting and classes on Thursday nights!
Last night, the “Fab 4″ (unofficially named by me), got together again to “talk shop” and catch up. The “Fab 4″ consists of what I believe are some of the best planners in the Grand Rapids area and myself. Here they are in alpha order:
Michelle Torno of Memorable Events Coordinating & Consulting
Amber VanDenBerg of Amber Dawn Wedding Consultants
Aletha VanderMaas of Pearls Events, LLC
Although some might think it odd that we get together like this, we all really benefit from it. We can bounce ideas off each other, talk about trends, learn from each others experiences, and work to make the wedding scene in the GR and surrounding areas that much better. We all have different strengths and areas of expertise.
Just know that as a bride if Lucky Girl Weddings is booked for your date or for some reason we cannot give you exactly what you are looking for we do have WONDERFUL references for you. We will never leave you high and dry without an excellent planner. Networking with other consultants and vendors is key and these above three ladies are where its at in regards to planning!
Even though the temperature has only changed a few degrees I can still tell Fall is coming. I can smell it in the air. Not to mention Football has started…that really means the Fall is on its way. So, now that the major part of the “wedding season” is coming to a close I am looking for Fall, Winter, and early Spring brides!
I would like to offer a few specials on my wedding packages! If you are a bride looking for a date that falls between Saturday, Sept. 27th and Saturday, March 29th of 2009 I will take $75.00 off the “Charmed” package and $100.00 off the “Golden” package. (I am not offering a special on the “Happy” or “Irresistible” packages because of the timeline and amount of work involved.)
Every little bit saved can help when planning a wedding. Hiring a planner is one of the best moves you can make to help your wedding day dreams become a reality! Call me or email me ASAP! I must have at least 3 weeks notice to book either special package. Using the contact form provided on my website is the most effective way of getting in touch with me!
Awhile ago I joined the LinkedInNetwork. I received an invitation from my sister-in-law and figured if she was on it then it was a good thing! After joining (for free) I didn’t do much with it until I started to realize how many members I knew. It’s a great resource for building your professional database. It’s easy to use and you are comforted by the fact that it’s for professional networking only. This is not a “facebook” or “myspace” where you have to worry about crude pictures or obscene comments on other members pages. Here is a description from the website about what LinkedIn is:
LinkedIn is an online network of more than 25 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries.
When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners. You can add more connections by inviting trusted contacts to join LinkedIn and connect to you.
Your network consists of your connections, your connections’ connections, and the people they know, linking you to thousands of qualified professionals.
Through your network you can:
LinkedIn is free to join. We also offer paid accounts that give you more tools for finding and reaching the right people, whether or not they are in your network.
So, if you are a professional or if you just want to start marketing yourself or your business I would suggest joining. It’s free, it’s easy and it does not take up too much time to keep your profile current and make some interesting contacts. Enjoy!
Note: This post is LONG overdue! On Saturday, July 12th I worked with an amazing couple, Lindsay Mathews and Jared Schroeder. There wedding was so much fun and so full of life. They, of course, deserve to be on my blog. Please forgive me Lindsay and Jared for the delay in your wedding wrap-up!
Bride and Groom|Lindsay Mathews and Jared Schroeder
Date| 07-12-08
Lucky Girl Weddings Package| “Charmed”
Ceremony| Kuyper College Chapel
Reception| Blythefield Country Club
Photographer | blinkPHOTOgraphy (Michelle and Nick Tremmel)
Florist/Decorator| Gail Vander Laan Florist and Special Occasions
Wedding Cake|Sweet Cakes Design, LLC.
DJ/Band| Calvin College Quartet and Rick Reuther’s Music Host Productions
How I met Lindsay| Lindsay had originally contacted Aletha VanderMaas of Pearls Events, LLC., another wedding planner in the Grand Rapids area. Because Aletha was booked on Lindsay’s date she referred her to me. I immediately met with Lindsay and her mother and we hit it off right away. Lindsay knew exactly what she wanted and she was determined to make her wedding a dream come true. It’s so wonderful working with a women who knows what she wants from the beginning! Way to go Lindsay! Again, I am thankful to Aletha for sending great clients my way!
The client I booked today proves that you do not have to be in Grand Rapids, MI to use with Lucky Girl Weddings as your planning service. My new clients Janelle and Adam currently live in Chicago, IL and their wedding is next summer in Freeland, MI. Thank you Janelle and Adam for choosing LGW! I will not let you down!
So, if you are a bride that does not live in the greater GR area please still consider LGW. We can and will make your wedding work from any location. What’s the catch….well, it’s all pretty clear. You pay .48cents per mile for travel outside the GR, MI area. Not much of a catch huh!!! From one side of Lake Michigan to the other Lucky Girl Weddings has you covered!�
Lucky Girl Weddings is now a Wedding Wire Rated business. This means that I have at least 3 reviews from brides within the last 12 months. Thank you Sami, Amylynn, and Lindsay for taking time out to review my services! I truly appreciate it! I can’t wait to meet more brides like you three. You can view my Wedding Wire page to see what the reviews said and to look through my portfolio.
Wedding Wire is an amazing website that is designed to help brides and vendors connect. Since signing up I have connected to over 30 local and surrounding area vendors. They range from other planners to photographers to graphic artists. This website is definitely something to look at and keep in your favorites file. If you are a vendor looking to get to know others in this industry you can search companies by name or you can search areas of interest. You then “invite” them to connect to you. You are then shown as a vendor they know on their storefront….free advertising! If you are a bride you can search vendors in your area, you can review vendors, and you can get gift certificates for reviewing vendors you used for your wedding. Check it out!�
The Knot Newsletter I receive had an article today about wedding hairstyles! This could not have come at a more perfect time because I am trying to get my sister and all of her bridesmaids hair appointments. The reason we waited was because most of us have short hair….so what is one to do with short hair. We figured we would have to do it on our own. But, low and behold after looking through “The Knot” photos not only did I find some for my sister (who has long hair) but I found some great starting points for us short haired gals! The four photos above were some of my favorites. For more wedding day hair tips keep reading….