Hello from West Michigan! I’m Aletha VanderMaas and I own Pearls Events, an event planning firm on Michigan’s West Coast. I live in Grand Rapids and plan + coordinate weddings for couples getting married all over the state. West Michigan is full of awesome places to get married + have a reception. I enjoy working at all the various venues in our area–from the private cottages on Lake Michigan and the tented reception at Windmill Island in Holland, to the highly acclaimed Amway Grand Plaza and the brand spankin’ new JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids–there are plenty of options for all any budget.
I have a vast array of wedding-related experience including caterering, interning with a couture bridal designer while attending college in Chicago, and a bit of bridal retail. I also have four years marketing experience with a world renowned publishing house. However, entrepreneurship runs in my blood, and I knew one day I’d do my own thing, I just wasn’t sure what it was.
Then I planned my own wedding and it hit me like a ton of bricks. This wasn’t a “Gee, I loved picking out my cake. I want to plan weddings” but more of a “What should I do with my life? What am I passionate about? I’ve loved catering, working with clients, and am passionate about making personal connections. I also enjoy organized spreadsheets, dealing with budgets, and planning + hosting parties. Event planning it is!”
Pearls Events began in Fall of ‘07 with our first three events. I coordinated three gorgeous weddings for three gracious gals. They were my Street Team and I’m thankful they gave me my break into the industry. My first wedding is going to be featured in The Knot’s Fall 2008 Michigan magazine, and also online. This season I’ve taken on 20+ weddings, and have added an assistant and a couple interns.
The week of August 4-8, Amanda will be guest blogging for me on my blog. She’s got a fun line up with some great topics she’s going to discuss.
:: Monday :: A Real Wedding featuring Amanda nuptials + shin-dig
:: Tuesday :: Favorite Detroit area Photog Blogs
:: Wednesday :: Chic & Simple Cake Designs
:: Thursday :: Favorite Real Bliss Weddings
:: Friday :: An interview with yours truly by Amanda
