Wedding Business Cluster Downtown Evanston was able to organize the Wedding

Walk after successfully recruiting a bridal boutique to the district. We had the last and most necessary element of our

wedding cluster.

The Wedding Walk connected businesses that should have already been working together, but weren’t.

Gave downtown Evanston exposure as a wedding destination

Wedding Walk

Wedding Walk 10 participating vendors Brides-to-be and their guests visited each of 10

businesses including travel agents, hotels, florists, restaurants and jewelers to learn how they could use their services for their wedding

Wedding Walk was followed by a fashion show incorporating various businesses in the downtown

Fashion Show

Fashion show took place at local music venue, 27 Live

• Avail and Company designed and created 33 custom handmade gowns for the show

• Jewelry provided by Eve J. Alfille Gallery & Studio and Ayla’s Originals.

• Flowers provided by Ixia Flowers

• Hair and Make-up services done compliments of Art+Science Salon and Steven Pappageorge Salon

Fashion Show

Each bride was eligible to win great prizes including overnight hotel stays, jewelry, dinners and one lucky winner went home with a custom-handmade bridal gown!

Marketing

Marketing included a mix of local print and digital media, a huge social media push via Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest and cross promotion of participating businesses

Sponsors AAA Travel Ayla’s Originals Bead Bazaar Avail and Company Bravo Cucina Italiana Davis Transportation Eve J. Alfille Gallery & Studio Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Orrington/Evanston Hotel Ixia Flowers KOI Restaurant Vinic Wine 27 Live

Business Recruitment

Received calls and emails from: Wedding & Party Planners, Bakeries,

Photographers, Jewelers, and Event Venues Asking how they could participate in the first annual

Wedding Walk. This was staff’s opportunity to talk to potential businesses about locating in our district.

This first year event gained exposure for downtown Evanston as a one stop wedding destination and validated the district as a wedding cluster. This exposure will help to draw in new

businesses and drum up the event for next year. Filling vacant storefronts, creating jobs and

building up a now annual event.

Results of Wedding Walk 90 individuals in attendance

Included brides, parents, friends & significant others One wedding was booked at 27Live One wedding booked at KOI Restaurant One wedding booked at Hilton Orrington Wedding Jewelry purchased at Eve J. Alfille Gallery & Studio Joseph Studios booked a wedding outside of Evanston Wedding gowns were ordered through Avail & Co. Transportation was booked through Davis transportation Another bridal shop is prospecting to locate in downtown Evanston Businesses are communicating and partnering with one another in

downtown Evanston