Thursday, September 28, 2017

a few Things I've Learned during my internship


Over the course of this internship I have learned a lot about this industry and what it takes to be a successful business owner and wedding coordinator. The staff at Knot Your Average Events have  been great with not only answering my questions, but also guiding me by demonstrating various tasks that are important to know in this industry. Many people think this is all fun and games, while it definitely is fun, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes to ensure an event runs smoothly!

1. Something will Go Wrong!

No matter how many precautions you take or how much you plan, sometimes things won't always go as planned. It is all in how you handle the situation that will determine the outcome of your event. It's important to assess the situation and then take the necessary steps to correct the issue.
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Photo: Google


2. Have An Emergency Kit
This will help when things do go off-course! having an emergency kit, or several, will allow you to be more prepared in case something does happen. Weddings, and events in general, are organized chaos and things do happen, but if you your handy dandy kit, you'll feel less stressed and more equipped to handle any situation!

3. Always Ask The Venue If Outside Caterers Are Allowed.
Sometimes venues have partnered with specific caterers, no kitchen or have an onsite caterer that they use, so it's important to ask that way you'll know what your next move should be.

4. Always bring a change of clothes!  You never know what will happen!  Always have several comfortable pairs of shoes to change throughout the day.

5. Wedding and Event days are LONG!!! Pack snacks, lots of beverages and get plenty of rest the day before!

6.  Make sure to stay FOCUSED!  As staff we are there to ensure the guest's experience so we need to be "PRESENT" at all times... not hiding in the back, playing on our phone or talking amongst our other co-workers.  Someone is always watching you so always be positive and be ready to assist when needed

7. Listen to what your client's needs and wants are... and be patient when they change a million times (LOL)

8. Get to know your vendors.  These are people you will most likely work with over and over again so take the time to learn their names, who they are and what they offer.  Referrals are the key to success in the event industry!  It's all WHO you KNOW!

9. Be prepared!  Arrive EARLY and be prepared to stay LATE.

10. HAVE FUN!!! This is probably the most important thing of all.. if you are having fun you know the guests and your clients are too!  SMILES ARE Contagious!

Written by Raven our Summer Intern~






Raven: Final Farewell


20170730_181349_Film1.jpgIt’s the final hour for a grand wedding at the Grandover. This also means this is the final hour for my time as an intern with KYAE. A bittersweet moment as I look back on all that has transpired this past summer. There have been so many opportunities, memories made, laughter shared, and knowledge gained. I told Blair today as I chuckled at her sense of humor that I was going to miss her. I feel as if I have established a bond with KYAE beyond a student-teacher relationship.

Furthermore, my experience with KYAE has advanced me professionally and personally.
I  learned technical skills such as moving tables properly, setting a table,
cutting flowers, packing equipment, and
using social media. However, the most
20170729_201348_Film1.jpgimportant lesson I have learned with KYAE is to believe in myself. Nothing else
would be possible if I lacked that quality.  A person can have all the knowledge,
experience, and skills they may like to have; but they’re useless if that
person limits their power to excel in them. Through this experience I came to
the realization that I didn’t believe in myself. That sounds harsh but it’s
true. Our biggest enemy can be ourselves. There would be times when I failed to
complete a task because internally I told myself “ I’m tired, I’ll do it later”
or “I don’t think I can do that”. I put these limitations on myself but I have
the power to do otherwise. KYAE has taught me to believe in myself and do great
things by enforcing my professional responsibility. If I don’t do my part then
my team fails. I have a responsibility to make sure my team is winning. This
mindset of believing will take me and every believer to infinite lengths. I am
forever grateful for KYAE and i can’t wait to pass my experiences on to the
next up and coming professional


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They are my family; and
from this point on I will be at the crab boil every year!
Love Always~ Raven

Raven~ We are sooooo proud of the coordinator you are becoming! BEST WISHES!! We will see you next year! (And hopefully at the Annual Christmas Party with Santa too!)












A Love Like This...


My first thought of this elegant wedding at the Penn House was “Wow, this is really extravagant! They must have spent a ton on this venue”. Nope!  Because it's own by the city...it has very budget friendly prices.  Well here’s one Reidsville best kept secrets. The Penn House located in historic downtown Reidsville once belonged to Charles and Stella Penn. The two built the 12500 square foot home on 3 acres of land in 1908. The house is a beautiful colonial style representative of the early 1900’s.

Charles Penn was a major figure in the American tobacco industry; and Stella was the daughter of Henry Edington, founder of Farmers and Merchant Bank in Fort Worth. Mr. and Mrs. Penn were very philanthropic. They donated largely to the Ashby Penn Foundation Cancer Fund and the Annie Penn Memorial Hospital (named after Charles Penn’s mother).

 One of the Penn’s final donation was their home to the city of Reidsville in 1980. The city has made the house available for special event rentals at an extremely affordable price. That’s the best kept secret. Unlike privately owned properties, city-owned properties go for a fraction of the cost.


Thus, Brenda & Adam were able to splurge on other details that truly made their wedding magnificent. The different spaces available for use at the Penn House allowed (name of bride and groom) to be creative with multifunctioning. Their use of space allowed guest to explore the property and enjoy a burst of something new at different points throughout the evening.


The sidewalk from the parking lot to the courtyard was used for the grand entrance and exit. The newlyweds showed showcased their union by holding hands walking up the extended sidewalk then posed for a kiss. Later that evening guest lined the sides of the sidewalk and waved wands to send off the couple on their happily ever after.



The gazebo and courtyard were used for entertainment. The band set up inside of the gazebo while the courtyard immediately a front of it served as the dance floor. Grassy areas on the side were set up with lounge areas, a photo booth, a memorial exhibit, and an appetizer table.



Continuing along the path lead guest onto the open front-patio which was large enough to host 20 and more round tables for dinning. The guest enjoyed an evening dinner on the front porch, southern style.

Lastly, along the path, guest end up inside the house itself. From the entry way there are two rooms, one on the right and one on the left. The room on the left was another socializing area for dessert and cake cutting. The room on the left is a small study that was the perfect set up for storing the couple’s gifts.

Then Penn house was an extraordinary venue that offers versatility and can be transformed into all kinds of events when you use your imagination!






Custom Floral Creations
Party Reflections
Western Steakhouse
Sweet Stuff by Meredith
Riley Photography

Knot Your Average Events



Written by our summer intern: Raven