


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



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 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

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 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












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

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.










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