Today we’d like to introduce you to Maranda Hughes.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi, I am Maranda Hughes with Nashville Dream Events. From a young age, I was immersed in a love for celebration. My mother and her friends always went all out any chance they could get. Whether it was for the holidays, a special birthday, or even if they just created a reason to have a party this was an integral part of my childhood. Most of all, I loved it when my Mom and I would visit her friend Belinda. Being so artistic, she was a guiding force in helping me channel and flow my creativity into making events unique and beautiful.
While attending Middle Tennessee State University, I met my mentor, Raina van Setter, owner of Weddings & Events by Raina. That was a game-changer! You see, I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a wedding planner, but when she came to speak to our class I felt a kinship with her. I applied for an internship with her company and a friendship bloomed. However, it was more than that. That internship not only gave me guidance and a dear friend, but a trusted colleague and mentor to whom I know I can always depend.
Working with Raina helped me realize that this was my calling. Shortly after graduating college, I met 2 wonderful ladies, Kathy (owner of Romance & Rust) & Michelle (owner of InaJ Designs) who I also consider to be mentors and friends. I can also attribute my success and creative development as a planner to them. I always enjoy working with them and they bring beauty to every event.
Nothing makes me happier or feel more complete than taking a couple’s vision and bringing it to life. Watching their faces light up as they see all that I have designed and created just for them brings my life meaning and unending joy!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Gaining the confidence initially to go out on my own and start Nashville Dream Events was definitely a challenge, however, with the unwavering support of my amazing husband Garrison, I really felt like I could do great things within my industry. Then the pandemic happened. I watched as company after company in the event industry struggled and went under. Learning to pivot quickly, allay the fears of my clients and reassure my team that we would all make it through this was certainly a challenging obstacle that I hope never to have to encounter again. However, it did teach me the valuable lesson that if Nashville Event Dreams could make it through a global pandemic we could weather any storm.
Additional challenges I have faced come with age. Being a small business owner in your 20s, you sometimes run into people who make snap judgments. They assume there is a lack of experience or knowledge just based on my age.
This could not be farther from the truth. Unlike many ‘planners’ who are simply certified through an online course, I have my bachelor’s degree in event management and I worked for an incredible décor company, Romance & Rust, honing my design skills as well as taking on the role of lead planner for one of the top wedding planners in Nashville.
These ladies continue to support and uplift me and my business today and I am incredibly grateful for them. I may be young, but don’t let that fool you. I can plan and design with the best of them!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to occasionally leading line dances for my couples who are making Nashville their destination for an amazing country weddings? I believe that my specialties lie in my connections with the event community at large. Regardless of what you are dreaming of for your wedding day, with my vast network, my team and I can make that dream a reality. In my short time in the event industry, I have met many wonderful and talented people who are more like family than just vendors I refer my clients to.
With only a few photos for inspiration, I can help create the wedding you have always dreamed of even if you have difficulty putting your vision into words. I excel at event design and organization. Not only ensuring your day is beautiful but memorable. My team and I work tirelessly to handle any problems or concerns that may arise so you will never even know that they occurred. I believe that this is one of the reasons I was recognized by The Nashville Bride Guide as one of the top wedding planners in Nashville.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking.
Yes, but I am not reckless. My risks are far more premeditated.
For example, prior to going out on my own, I had many discussions with my husband Garrison, my friend Kathy Wiggins, owner of Romance & Rust, and my mentor, Raina van Setter, owner of Weddings & Events by Raina. Not only did they encourage me, but they also gave me the confidence to believe in what they already knew…that I could do this and that I could be successful! Another example would be the decision to open Woodland Farms. (Gorgeous venue coming soon!).
After spending many years working with Kathy honing my design skills and Raina working as a lead planner, I learned through on-site training and asking many many questions about what it takes to run a small business successfully. I parlayed my skills into Nashville Dream Events and look forward to growing them even further with Woodland Farms.
So, while it can be said that starting any business is a risk when you are as blessed as I have been to have such an amazing support team; colleagues who are always lifting me up, recommending my services, and supporting me when I need a helping hand or additional encouragement, all the risks seem more than worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nashvilledreamevents.wixsite.com/mysite
- Instagram: @nashvilledreamevents / https://www.instagram.com/nashvilledreamevents/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NashvilleDreamEvents
Image Credits
Black Mountain Photo + Cinema Jesslyn Amber Photography, Honeybee Photography, and Photography By Michelle
