Country Chic Wedding: The Planner

Blog segment submitted by Carly Rager, Carly Rager Event Design & Coordinating

I must say that this couple just stole my heart. From the first meeting with Jac & Houston I knew that without a doubt they were completely in love and meant to be... My first contact with Jac was simply through a few email exchanges...a few days later Jac wanted to set up a meeting to interview me...I must say the meeting went amazing, we hit it off and I think I may have had more ideas about their "country chic rustic wedding" than she expected. I get very excited about new and different ideas...

My number one goal in any wedding is to make sure the bride's vision comes to life. When she said country chic but also rustic my mind immediately thought of burlap and milk glass. She absolutely loved hydrangea and brought me a picture of her ideal bouquet. I had no doubt in my mind that Sango Village Florist would be able to handle the job for her simple, understated yet beautiful floral idea. Jac had been trying to work out arrangements with a photographer and was having trouble getting calls back and definite answers. After a few weeks of this I suggested that she and Houston just go and have a meeting with Joanie @ Joan of Art Photography. I knew she would wow them with her amazing personality and awesome pictures. So that was 2 things off the list.

...We booked The Cumberland Room for March 12, 2011 and were on our way to getting everything in place. Jac had asked me if I knew of any churches that were close to the reception. I told her about this cute little country church that sat on top of a hill just right down the road. She and Houston took a drive out there and instantly knew that Antioch United Methodist Church was the place where the two of them would be married.

When it came to cakes, this was easy. One tasting with Heather of Covered with Icing, Jac booked her on the spot. Now on to finding a caterer. When trying to find a caterer I always like to call ahead and get prices, because while some may have amazing food sometimes it comes with out of budget prices. Budget is the second most important thing to me when planning a wedding. I had heard that Relish was getting into special event catering so I gave them a call...I set up a tasting for that same week...We tasted baked chicken breast with an option of 4 dipping sauces, loaded mashed potatoes, home style green beans and mac~n~cheese. Leisa also whipped up some flavored teas and spritzers. We left that night and the two were going to talk it over. First thing the next morning Jac called me to ask if I could get the contract and get them locked in for the date.

Now that we have come to the end of 2010 and were heading in to 2011, I sat Jac up a meeting with Jenifer Shaffer of You're Invited Invitations. We were just about 3 months away and the time to get invitations out was quickly coming. Jenifer was able to create a very personal invitation for Jac and Houston as well as address and mail the invites for them. This was such a relief for Jac. She did not have to worry one bit with any of it. Jac and I met up at the Clarksville Brides Bridal show in January and I introduced her to a few of my favorite vendors. First on the list was Danielle and Marshall of Clarksville Linen Rental. We sat at their booth and picked out the linen colors that would suit our overall idea. Next stop was to see DJ Folley of Big Fish Entertainment for DJ service and lighting. Last stop was to show Jac the new photo booth that Party Station Rentals had just received the week before the show...

Who would have thought that 7 months ago when we picked March 12, 2011 as THE day, it would be 74 degrees and the sun would be shining, I mean technically it was still winter! It was an absolute perfect day for a perfect couple. Congratulations Jac and Houston. Thank you for letting me have such a large part in planning your amazing wedding day. The two of you and your families were a blessing to work with.
-Carly Rager

Click here to read the full posts on Carly Rager's Blog.

Carly Rager Event Design & Coordinating
Website: carlyrager.com
Phone: 615-417-1283
Email: carlyragerevents@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000527623713&ref=ts

Planning a Party in 3 Days

Blog excerpt submitted by Carly Rager, Carly Rager Event Design & Coordinating

I received a call about 4 p.m. on Wednesday January 19 from a gentleman wanting to know how fast I could put a party together. My first question was, "When are you wanting to have this party?" His response was "Saturday January 22". My mind immediately goes in to motion as to how and where this was going to happen and who I would need to call to work this out...He made it clear that he needed me to handle everything for him from finding the venue and vendors, down to set up and clean up...Obviously my first call was to find a location, and I sure was lucky there. My first call was to Swan Lake Golf Course Club House...I set up an appointment...the following day to sign the contract and reserve the room. Next came finding a bartender (number one request was open bar with a lot of options) DJ (number two request was great music with karaoke) and catering (number three was to have drinking food). I knew to call Marcus with Scott's Bartending...
When it came to music I like to find a DJ that has variety and also lighting options so it combines what would normally be two vendors into one. DJ Folley with Big Fish Entertainment is so affordable on his DJ rates and has a huge selection of lighting...When it comes to food, I must say that I absolutely love Leesa at Relish. She really impressed me with a few tastings in the past few months and the selection they have to offer is endless...

Once I had all of the three requests covered I called Josh back to let him know it could definitely happen and let him know what all I had found. He was very impressed that in 45 minutes I had pulled together this party he had been wanting to plan for quite some time...I wanted to know what he thought for centerpieces and he said "just something cool, but nothing girly with flowers". That I knew I could handle. (photo to left)


My next question to him was about a birthday cake, he had not mentioned it. I knew that I would call Heather at Covered With Icing to fulfill my very quick order, but I needed to know what kind of cake he liked. Red velvet was his only request and I knew that Heather's red velvet was THE BEST!!! Saturday rolled around and it was time to kick it in party mode...Everything quickly came together and before I knew it everything was set up and Josh had arrived with his friends and family. They had such a great time. From singing and dancing to taking shots and playing beer pong they really enjoyed their night...Marcus rocked the bar and Folley kept the fun music going all night. I was sure it was a success. I was of course worn out Sunday from two consecutive late nights, but it was a short little text message from Josh himself that made all the tiredness go away, "thanks again for everything I had a great time, I am referring you to my friends". This may have been the quickest I have pulled an event together but I always love a challenge.

Click here to read the full story of Carly's 3 Day Party Planning on her blog.

Carly Rager Event Design & Coordinating
Blog: carlytheweddingplanner.blogspot.com
Phone: 615-417-1283
Email: carlyragerevents@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000527623713&ref=ts