Browsing Tag

natural light

The Truth About Why I Split

A question for the dreamers out there- How often do things go exactly the way you envisioned? Never? Then to you I say, Congratulations! I’ve determined one sign of a successful small business is to stay flexible and leave room for growth and change. Some aspects may be just as you predicted, but usually the areas that end up evolving can be one of your biggest strengths as a business. In November of last year I launched Kristal Childs as a separate business and focus from Pursuing Eden. With some direction from friends in the wedding industry, lots of prayer and deep thought I knew it was time. But I’ve never really told you why… so now you’re about to be in on the truth.

First, you must know I love Pursuing Eden Rentals. I enjoy meeting a need in my community for specialty rentals, and I enjoy providing a unique collection to inspire local brides and party throwers. Notice my two key words here- community and local. Rental companies are made to serve their area, and serve them well! But after five years, I saw two holes in my business.

1. I was personally being asked to design weddings, events and photoshoots in non-local areas. I struggled with how to physically get a truck and trailer of rentals to an event many hours away without the delivery and labor charge getting terribly high. Pursuing Eden is a very small business and we must charge for hotels for the tear down team, gas for the big rigs, labor expenses for the team’s drive time, wedding wait time, food, and the list goes on. There is no way around the fact that the farther the PE team travels, the higher these expenses get. So how do I personally serve interested clients with a local only rental business?

2. Not every event needs Pursuing Eden Rentals. I know, you’re thinking, “Wait, did she just admit that?” But, it’s true! Pursuing Eden is a SPECIALTY rental company. We do not carry everything. We do not want to carry everything. I couldn’t figure out a way to serve clients who came to me for design help, but who didn’t need what Pursuing Eden carries. Also, through Pursuing Eden, there wasn’t a logical way for me to schedule one-on-one consults with each client and help them compile a list of regular rental needs outside of Pursuing Eden, like tents, plastic tables, regular linens etc. How do I personally help those who have needs outside of Pursuing Eden?

So my business, simply titled Kristal Childs, was created. Now, when I am contacted by non-local clients I can easily use rental companies from their area in my design for their event. No Pursuing Eden Rentals required. Separating my event styling services from Pursuing Eden Rentals means I can travel anywhere in the US (and beyond!) to style an event. All of my local brides who have hired me for my styling services are wanting to use Pursuing Eden Rentals, and that’s great! But my goal is to use any vendors needed to create the absolute best event. As a separate styling business, I can offer more suggestions and assistance with the design from beginning to end.

Also, when I am personally involved in photoshoots and events, I can now be tagged as a separate business on social media, so potential clients understand they have options. We want everyone to know that renting with Pursuing Eden can be as simple as choosing whatever rentals they want, picking them up and returning them. Or they can hire me for design direction, separately, if needed.

Another plus! When I launched Kristal Childs, I was able to start offering interior styling as a separate service also. [Edit: interior design services are now available through Abide Design + Home with interior design partner Kim Whyte.]

Now lets talk about this gorgeous shoot at The White Sparrow Barn with some of the best vendors out there, recently featured on Wedding Sparrow! I’ll let the images speak for themselves…

Take a look at the list of amazing vendors below:

Venue: The White Sparrow Barn

Photography: Brandi Smyth

Flowers: Mandy Cathey

Rental Props: Pursuing Eden

Cake: Social Bites

Rings: Lollars

MUAH: Meka Bennett

Dress: The Dress Theory

Suit: John Pickens Clothiers

Stationary/Calligraphy: Paper Glaze

August 16, 2016 by Kristal Childs

Events, Photoshoots

5 Ways to Create a Refined Outdoor Event

The great outdoors can provide a backdrop that no venue or rental collection can compete with; however, the venue and rentals you choose matter beyond measure. Your venue and rentals can complete (or ruin) the effect of that lovely landscape. Outdoor events do not have to be low quality or cheesy, but it does take a clear and direct design approach to make an outdoor event feel polished and stylized.

Here are 5 simple ways to create a refined outdoor event:

1. Lighting! Hire a professional to hang chandeliers and cafe style string lights. If possible, choose these types of lighting over generic Christmas lights. This detail really matters in the overall feel. Also, when it’s dark, the guests are gone and it’s time to tear down, you will be so glad you’re not tripping on tree roots and beer bottles.

2. Use real dishes and glassware. I know, paper plates make a ton of sense when you’re outside. And they are less expensive! But they look less expensive, and do nothing to help you create a refined, elegant wedding. Counteract the outdoors with formal tableware. I promise the effect will be worth it!

3. Let your venue work for you! Find the best walls or areas of impact at your venue and make those be your backdrops for the important spots, like your cake display, sweetheart table and Just Married photos. Too many times, I’ve seen cakes set up with the DJ in the background, or a sweetheart table with a big red fire extinguisher directly behind the couple. Y’all, the background is what creates a frame for each space… it is so important that what’s behind looks great!

4. Layer. Tone-on-tone neutrals and metallics currently have my heart, so obviously I’m going to advise you to use neutrals and metallics when choosing your linens, chargers, floral containers, flatware, dishes and all of those fun details. And when I say neutrals, a washed-out sandy peach or faded gray-blue counts. But mix it up! If you’re using an organic natural linen, add a metal floral container. Now, please don’t be afraid to use bright, rich colors as accents. But know if all you have is an overabundance of strong accent colors, they lose their effectiveness and your eyes won’t know where to rest.

5. Let’s talk flowers. Simply put, you get what you pay for. But good news, even the most experienced professionals aren’t as expensive as what you may assume. Call them up and book them! Outdoor events = heat and humidity = wilting flowers by amatures = ugly bouquet and centerpieces = crying bride = this is not you, because you hired a florist to create and install your lovely blooms.