We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor Rhyne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I went to school at NC State for Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management and I had interned for a wedding planner in college and wasn’t sure if weddings were what I was called to. Then, right out of college I worked under the Director of Events at the Country Club of Asheville. This was where I fell in love with weddings and events but I kept noticing one thing over and over. Couples would show up on their wedding day and I would say “Are you guys so excited?! Are you ready to get married?!” and time and time again I’d hear something along the lines of “Oh my gosh no this has been so stressful I’m just glad we’re finally getting it over with.” And that was the WORST to hear. And from a venue management standpoint, you really only see couples for a tour, a tasting, and the day of the wedding. So there wasn’t much I could do in that capacity to help them. And on top of that, I’d see their poor moms and maid of honors on wedding day trying to field calls from vendors and setting up decorations with curlers in their hair and I couldn’t help but think of how unfair that was to the friends & family. They didn’t come all that way to work, they should have been relaxing and making memories with the couple. Instead everyone was just a ball of stress all day. Well when I left there I spent some time in corporate events and HR but I felt called back to weddings. But I knew I wanted to start a business that not only took the stress of planning off of the couple, but that allowed their friends and family to truly be present on wedding day and give them all the peace of mind they deserved going into the day. So I handle all the logistics and planning prior, but I also make sure that my team and I take on as much as we can on wedding day so that everyone else has no other responsibilities but to show up. And working in other aspects of the industry before becoming a planner, I also have made it a priority to take care of the vendor team as well and make sure they feel supported and included throughout the process as well. I feel like Jesus has called me to love and serve others through my business and I intend to do that as well as I can every day with every client and vendor I interact with.
 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I think a lot of what sets my business apart from other planners in the industry is my background in other parts of the wedding industry prior. A lot of planners get into wedding planning because they loved planning their own wedding or they love weddings in general. I got into wedding planning because I worked in catering, at a venue, then in corporate events and eventually in HR and I saw a gap that needed to be filled in all those capacities. There aren’t enough people in the wedding industry or any working field for that matter willing to be bridges. Willing to connect others and build each other up, even when it doesn’t directly benefit you or your business. And I got into this business to do that. I want to see couples and their families be bridged together, I want to see couples bridged to quality vendors that care about them and do good work, and I want to see vendors connected to other vendors because when we all lift each other’s business up we all see more success. Getting started was definitely not an easy road because we officially launched in October of 2019 and our first year of weddings were all hit by Covid. So lots of rescheduling, cancellations and last minute changes from 150+ person weddings to 20 or less people in a backyard. And in the midst of that I lost my full time corporate job while I was 20 weeks pregnant due to Covid. So instead of giving up, my husband and I reconfigured the business plan and I went full time into weddings in January of 2021 and have built up my business piece by piece and by forging industry friendships and connections ever since. I have learned that success isn’t how many bookings you get or how much money is in the bank at the end of the year, it’s about truly offering quality service and creating those relationships with others. Success is getting to work with people you love and do what you love every day. And by those standards, I feel very successful. And I’ve noticed that the bookings and money come naturally when you are doing good work because word of mouth brings the right people to your door. I love helping others and I’m so glad I get to do that through my planning business and now through my podcast, Dazed & Engaged. I realized a lot of people don’t have the budget for a planner and there’s not a lot of free wedding planning resources out there so the podcast is designed where anyone can write in their questions and get professional advice and answers. I’m really excited to see how many people we reach and help this year!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love living in York county and I feel like there’s so much to do here. We would definitely have to take a trip to Carowinds because I love roller coasters and feel like everyone should haha. Then we’d have to get coffee every day they’re here because coffee is an essential part of life. I’d take them to Forte Legato in Rock Hill, Greenhouse Coffee in York, York Coffee Roasters in York, Brick and Mortar Coffee in Clover and the Parkin’ Latte in Clover. And for lunches and dinners we’d definitely have to eat at Hoof and Barrel in York, Kounter in Rock Hill, York Seafood in York, Victoria’s Diner in Clover and Burgers and Barley in Rock Hill at some point. Then dessert at Ninety’s Dessert Bar in Rock Hill. And for fun activities, we’d have to go shopping at Yorkville Marketplace and all down Congress St in York, I’d love to take them to the barcade Player One Up in Rock Hill and for a nice long nature walk down at the Catawba River Trailhead in Rock Hill.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be anywhere in life, especially in my business without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And He has brought some of the most amazing mentors and teachers into my life over the past 10 years that have allowed me to be in the position I’m in now. Liz DeKoyer was the Director of Events at the Country Club of Asheville and she taught me everything I needed to know about catering, logistics, venue management and wedding execution. And the teaching staff in the Parks & Rec department at NC State were so instrumental in helping me get my career off the ground. From helping me find my first job to continuing to support my business to this day through mentorship and cheering me on, I am so thankful to them. And my biggest cheerleader – my husband Caleb. He was the one who gave me the push and confidence to finally start this business and has been on board since day 1 whether that means jumping in to assist at a wedding or sitting down to work through strategy, he’s the best! My whole family has been so supportive and helped along the way too, I’m a very lucky girl to have such a solid support system in my corner!

Website: https://lemonsandwillowevents.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemonsandwillowevents/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lemonsandwillowevents

Other: https://www.instagram.com/dazedandengagedpodcast/ https://open.spotify.com/show/3d69TQYmFBsilyZ37SKrRd

Image Credits
Sheila Mraz Photography, HM Productions Media, JCM Photography, Snook Photo + Co

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