I am not sure that I have mentioned this on the blog yet, so I thought today would be the perfect time to do so. As most of you know, I am involved in a lot of really great projects and a couple awesome companies. What you may not know, is that I also created a networking group for wedding and event pros in Michigan. This is by far one of my favorite projects and I think all of you might like it, too. The group is called Michigan Wedding & Event Professionals, but we call it MWEP for short.

MWEP is great for professionals, but it is also a really great resource if you are planning your wedding. The website lists out all of our members in an easy to read format, complete with contact names, email addresses and websites. All of the businesses listed are pretty awesome and are really helping our local community flourish. If you are in need of some awesome vendors, please check it out. We are even working on the launch of our blog, Mitten Smitten, which will feature real Michigan weddings, local vendor spotlights, advice and tips for planning wedding here in the Mitten State.

If you are a local business, and want more information on becoming a member, please visit the website and read all about how you can join. We have many different chapters where we host mixers every two to three months. These mixers are normally free to attend and are way more than a stuffy networking event. They are actually a lot of fun and offer a very easy, pain-free, casual way to build relationships with people in your local wedding community. Currently, we host mixers in Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Mid-Michigan, Lakeshore, and Kalamazoo. We are currently working on adding in a Traverse City/Northern Michigan chapter and a Saginaw/Tri-Cities chapter. I am loving how MWEP brings the unity throughout the whole state, rather than just in one small area. There are so many creative and outstanding people out there and we are working to bring you all together, in a casual and relaxed way.

While we already have a really great base of 200+ people associated with MWEP, we are hoping to get this list to grow and include every vendor, of every type, in every area of Michigan. To do that, we need your help. Become a member, attend our free events, participate in the forums, get your business listed on the website and really celebrate the people around you. Membership gets you all of these things for a VERY affordable, low cost. Michigan is an awesome place to live and work and it is time we celebrate that! I believe this group has worked some major magic over the past year and really want you to experience it. We are only as good as our members. :)

You can also find MWEP on Twitter. Below is a collage from some of our local mixers!