Name: Laura Wall
Company: Southern Events Party Rental Company
We’re known for:
Southern Events offers brides and clients a higher level of assistance when selecting rental items. We continually hear how we provide more selection, inspiration, styling suggestions and overall satisfaction!
We also stay on top of trends in the wedding and events industry to add new items to our inventory. Clients want what they see in magazines and on top wedding blogs! We also specialize in the truly “southern” or “rustic” wedding style… we are in Tennessee after all! We have a Vintage Prop Shoppe full of unique furniture and accessories.
What do you do for fun (when not busy styling events):
I love to shop! Whether it’s buying clothes or decor for myself or hunting for treasures for our Vintage Prop Shoppe! If it were possible to earn a doctorate in shopping, I would likely have it.
Favorite Nashville area hang: Any Mexican restaurant, Mafioza’s, or M.L.Rose with friends or the Nashville Flea Market once a month!
How did you get into event rentals?
I actually met Jill and Chip Cole, Southern Events’ owners, by working part time for CJ’s Off the Square. At the time, the Southern Events showroom was located inside of CJ’s venue. Jill and I really hit it off, and I began working part time on specific projects. I quickly transitioned into a full time position managing client relations and marketing.
Favorite thing about your job:
I love just about everything about my job including who I work with, but I would probably have to say that the job is just a perfect fit for me, making it so fulfilling! It is equal parts left-brain and right-brain. I am an unusual combination of Type-A and creative. With this job, I get to be as detailed and organized as I possibly can, while having an excellent creative outlet when helping clients or diving into the next trend.
What is the most elaborate event you have helped style?
Southern Events just hosted a Grand Re-Opening in our new office which had to be one of the largest events we’ve styled! We utilized one of everything we offer, so it was extremely involved. As for wedding clients, I worked with a lovely Brooklyn bride last fall on her Indian-inspired Southern Soiree at Belle Meade Plantation. It was recently featured on Style Me Pretty’s blog: http://www.stylemepretty.com/2012/03/14/nashville-wedding-by-scobey-photography/
Advice for brides when choosing her rental company:
Think about service and quality first. All rental companies in Nashville have relatively similar pricing. They don’t have similar service levels. At Southern Events, we go beyond to ensure our clients know what they need, know what to expect and receive attention to detail like no other. We also provide the most variety of unique rental options (Vintage Prop Shoppe, Farm Tables, Heirloom China, ModBox Seating, loads of decor such as lanterns, wrought iron accessories and cake plateaus). Our inventory is also top quality. Chairs are cleaned before every event, bars are sanded and re-stained, linens are the best quality available.
Sure, another company may offer you a lower price, but are they cleaning the product or are you? Are they offering you extensive set up options and services such as floor plan assistance, linen installation and order reviews with other vendors such as your caterer?
Make sure you know what level of service you are receiving before you sign a contract! Many clients tell us that our pricing is more competitive, and they also receive more hands-on help and more choices!
How much should a couple plan to budget for their rentals?
Budgeting for rentals all depends on the type of venue the couple chooses. Outdoor weddings, for example, may call for tent(s), tables, chairs and linens as well as things such as a restroom trailer, special catering equipment and warmers, generators, lighting, staging, dance floors and even trash cans. For other events, some venues also provide certain items such as tables and chairs, so clients may only need to rent linens and specialty items. Other venues offer a blank slate for clients to create the event style and set up they choose. Clients have to consider things such as seating all guests versus having a mix-and-mingle style reception where only some guests are seated. While you cannot specifically set a budget up front for rentals, once you’ve given us a good idea of your event venue and style, we can help you determine the options you have and the overall cost to be expected.
What items do you think are worth the splurge?
I personally think that specialty linens are worth the splurge! Our specialty linens allow you to completely transform your tabletop and make a huge visual impact. For approximately $15-25 more per table, you can get texture such as lace, dupioni, brocades, or pintuck. If you can’t afford the full linen, we also have a large variety of specialty runner styles that range from $6 – $10 each.
I also recommend spending more money on the item that you love the most. If it’s Chiavari Chairs, know that they will look amazing in every photo of your ceremony or reception! If it’s Heirloom China, your guests will never forget the unique style of the plates and how they looked on your tabletop or buffet set up. If it’s a lounge full of Vintage Prop Shoppe furniture, the money spent will well pay off in unique photo opportunities and your guests will take full advantage of relaxing amidst your event excitement!
What is your favorite color combination or theme right now?
While soft colors like champagne and textures like burlap are all the rage, I love when clients choose to add color to their table linens. I especially love color when blended with the rustic, burlap and lace themes. Our Aubergine poly looks amazing with our Oatmeal specialty linen. It’s great to use a range of colors also, such as our warm blues: Midnight, Wedgewood and Slate! Play with colors. Don’t feel limited with traditional white, ivory or black. Don’t feel like you have to match your bridesmaids’ dresses to the “T.” Just compliment the color(s) you’ve chosen for them. They may be happy to not match the table linens for once! The overall feel of your wedding can change instantly when color or texture is added to the linens. Don’t be afraid to try!
Tell us about Southern Event’s latest addition – The Vintage Prop Shoppe:
Our Vintage Prop Shoppe is full of unique couches/loveseats, tables, chairs, and accessories like chalk boards, shutters, beverage and fruit crates, bird cages, old books, and suitcases. We even have really unusual accents like Hungarian Baby Baths (think out of the ordinary bottled beverage dispenser) and we have over 400 place settings of vintage mix-match Heirloom China. You can’t find those things anywhere else in Nashville! We are also the only rental company in Nashville to offer gorgeous Farm Tables and Rustic Benches.
Phone: (615) 595-8508
Website: www.southerneventsonline.com
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