We sat down with Something Fabulous Co-Owner, Ashley McElroy, to learn more about her and her passion for weddings!
Ashley is our phenomenal project manager on the team. She loves a crispy Diet Coke and all things reading and Taylor Swift. Ashley is our excel spreadsheet queen who works diligently both behind the scenes and on wedding day to ensure our couples follow their budget and wedding planning timelines!
What made you become a wedding planner?
I fell in love with wedding planning while planning my own wedding. I know that is a cliche but it’s true. I loved the logistical aspect of planning a wedding, it brought me so much joy. I had a best friend (Trent, co-owner of Something Fabulous!) and we always wanted to open a business together. The idea of opening a wedding business stemmed from the success of planning my own.
After the idea blossomed, we had our first paying client within a few months and have grown from doing 6 weddings a year to doing 100 weddings a year with a full team and 2 full time planners! When we were building the business, I was still working a corporate job full time. I was basically working 2 full time jobs for a few years until I made the decision to quit my corporate job. That was the scariest but most rewarding decision I ever made and the rest is history!
What was your career before starting Something Fabulous Weddings and Events?
I worked in the scientific field in research development of regenerative medicine, which is a long way away from wedding planning. I was working in a scientific lab with lung tissue. I also did a lot of microbiology work!
What is your favorite thing about being a wedding planner?
My favorite thing about being a wedding planner is being able to work with a couple from start to finish to create something they’ve always dreamed of! It is amazing making it possible for them to enjoy the experience- from production to execution, seeing them see it all come to life is incredible. I also love a good spreadsheet!
What is your favorite moment or event on wedding day?
My favorite moment on wedding day is when the couple comes back down the aisle from their recessional and I am the first person to congratulate them and give them a big hug on being newlyweds!! It is the most authentic moment of the day and they are the most happy!
What do you look forward to most on wedding day?
I look forward to the beginning of the dance floor to see who surprises me and hypes up the crowd for a night of celebrating and dancing!!
What is your favorite aspect of planning a wedding?
I love doing table top rental appointments! It is the first time the couple really sees their personal wedding design come to life. There are so many options and ways to style things! The table top really sets the stage for your reception look and is so important for bringing the design and vibe a couple wants!
Do you have a favorite design element?
I am a big fan of statement floral pieces! Large installations make a larger impact than a centerpiece. Things like tent installs, entrance installs, or large ceremony pieces make a huge impact on the guests experience and create a memorable moment! It is a great place to put your floral budget instead of putting a lot of small florals all over. Guests leave your wedding remembering the stunning install!
What is something you cannot live without on wedding day?
My secondary and a crispy diet coke!
Tell us about your pets!
I have 3 babies! My oldest child is Dakota and he is a husky. He is officially an old man at 11 years old, but he is the funniest and smartest animal in the house. He has so much personality and loves to talk to you and throw his toys at you.
My middle child is Clementine. She is a kitty cat with white and grey and a small orange speck on her face- its how she got her name! Clem rules the house. I am her second favorite human (my husband being the first) and I have accepted that.
My third child is Elmer Dean. He requires special care because he has epilepsy. He was rescued from the streets of Chapel Hill and we just hope he is living his best life with us. He tries his best every day and has the sweetest face! Elmer is just my goofy little buddy who is along for the ride!
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working a wedding or busy planning?
Reading books, drinking diet coke, and doing puzzles! I also have an unhealthy obsession with documentaries, particularly true crime.
What are the top 3 things you wish all couples knew about wedding planning?
- Hire your planner first! This can save you a lot of heart ache and budget strain as we will guide you before you have made large financial commitments to other vendors that may hinder your ability to have other things you want on wedding day!
- In the grand scheme of things, the goal is to get you married, celebrate your love story, and celebrate your love with your family and friends. Everything else is just details!
- It’s okay for your wedding to be authentic to you and your partner! If you don’t want to do something, don’t. If you are passionate about something that is untraditional, let’s do it! We want your day to be a reflection of you!
What is your favorite Taylor Swift Song?
My favorite Taylor swift song… of all time?! All to well (10 minute version!)
What is your favorite book?
A Tree grows in Brooklyn! It is a coming of age story that I read when I was in 7th grade. It has stuck with me ever since! Highly recommend!
