Vendor Spotlight | Weddings + Events By Raina |Tennessee Wedding + Event Planner

Vendor Spotlight | Weddings + Events By Raina |Tennessee Wedding + Event Planner | Tasha Puckey Photography

Covid-19 has all of us Creative biting our nails at what’s to come. Will our industry survive this pandemic ?? Bet your bottom it will because we will come back stronger… together. I have put together a collection of Vendor Spotlights together to showcase over next few weeks. First up is my friend Raina. Raina isn’t local to Pennsylvania but with my heart holding steady in Tennessee, I thought I would introduce you to my favorite Southern Wedding & Event planner. I asked her a series of questions and here’s what she had to say.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m often told that I am much shorter than people expect me to be. My college roommate always said it was my red hair that makes me seem taller, but I think its my big personality. I am an eternal optimist able to find the silver lining in any situation. I am also a “fixer.” If there is an issue of any kind, chances are I’ve anticipated it and resolved it before my clients ever know about it. I believe there are no problems, only solutions!

2. What was your dream job growing up?
My dream job when I was really little was to be a ballerina in outer space. Well, I don’t have the balance for dance nor the stomach for flight so that didn’t quite work out.

3. In 3 words, how would you describe your brand?

YES!! Less stress.

4. How did you get into the wedding industry?

I like to say I was born into it. My mother was an event decor designer so I worked for her starting off as early as I could remember doing fresh florals, balloon arches, glittery life size pieces of the bar mitzvah boy….the works…then one day one of her brides asked if I could assist her with some things. I was fifteen at the time, but pretty much new everyone in our area in the industry. I didn’t charge her for my services. (It didn’t even occur to me…I was just happy to be doing anything other than decor.) Then her friend got engaged the following year and asked my mother what her “assistant” charges…my career took off from there. After college I began Weddings & Events by Raina and was a planner in Westchester and Manhattan until my husband’s job took us to Nashville.

5. What sets you part in your industry?

My decades of experience as well as my willingness to truly go above and beyond the typical duties of a wedding planner. There were “issues” with my special day. My husband and I can certainly look back and laugh abbot them now, but it truly strengthened my resolve to not allow that to ever happen to one of my brides. You will be listened to and heard. Your vision for the perfect day is my vision. End of story.

6. What does a typical wedding look like?

Not sure there is such a thing as a typical wedding for me. Unlike most planners, I don’t have a set style that I tend to work from. I am a very organized, but also very creative person. I love to create the best version of the client’s vision or Pinterest board within budgetary constrains. The ability to create totally different looks from weekend to weekend is one of the things that appeals most to me about my job.

7. What is your favorite part of a wedding day?

This varies from couple to couple. I usually ask them what the one thing they are most excited about is. That’s where my excitement comes from. If its their overall vision I can hardly wait for them to see the room reveal. If its the anticipation of the first look, I get super emotional the first time I get to see the bride in her dress. I get excited about what is most important to them because over the course of planning, it becomes the most important aspect of the day to me as well.

8. and lastly, if you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?

Well, if this virus miraculously disappeared and it was safe to travel, I would love to go see my family. We typically live states away, but we don’t usually stay separated for such long stretches of time. Its been wonderful to FaceTime with them of

ten, but its just not the same as being able to give them all much needed hugs.

From a business perspective, always have a pivot. From a personal perspective, find joy in all the small pleasures.

A little side note | If you are in need of ” Stay at home” date night ideas… check out what Raina came up with. fun date night ideas

All Images taken by Ivory Door Studio

All images taken by Ivory Door Studio

Weddings by Raina social media + website links
Website | Weddings + Events by Raina
Facebook | Wedding + Events by Raina
Instagram | Weddings + Events by Raina

Comments

Weddings & Events by Raina says

April 16, 2020 at 1:09 pm

Thanks for such a fabulous feature and for sharing the love all the way from Pennsylvania!!

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- Tasha Puckey Photography says
  
  April 16, 2020 at 3:25 pm
  
  So blessed to have you on my blog today!
  
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