Meet Kathy Wiggins | Event Stylist

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

Hi Kathy, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson my business has taught me is to celebrate all of life’s special moments, big or small. Life is short so throw the birthday party, gather with your best girlfriends over cocktails, bake the cookies with your grandchildren, celebrate your marriage with 200 or 20 of those closest to you. Every day we are given is a reason to celebrate. I lost both my parents within 2 years, which put in perspective what’s really important, time spent with those you love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When choosing Romance & Rust, I am our client’s personal event stylist from the beginning to the end. We tour the venue to discuss their vision and I create a complete design plan to bring it all to life. My clients have access to my entire inventory where they will “shop” my 2500 square foot Prop Barn for the items they would like incorporated into the the design, without limit! That is our client’s favorite part of the process! On event day, setup is handled by our team, ensuring every detail is taken care of. At the end of their celebration, we pack away our pieces, allowing our clients to relax and fully enjoy their day. I believe our commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and the relationships we develop with our clients is what sets us apart.

I am extremely proud that our efforts have been recognized and our work has been featured in Kentucky Bride Magazine, Aisle Society, Nashville Bride Guide and Nashville Baby Guide. We have won awards in the past, but I’m so excited that this year we were chosen in the Best of Weddings and Best of Styled Shoots in 2023 from Nashville Bride Guide, as well as, Best of Post-Pre Baby Moments and Best of Party Inspiration from Nashville Baby Guide!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have lived north of Nashville my entire life. It is filled with so many wonderful places to eat, drink, and to experience. If you are visiting the area, put these on your list of “must dos”:

Start your day with a hot or iced coffee at one of the many great coffee shops in the area, such as Frothy Monkey or Barista Parlor. A must visit is to Donut Distillery for a mini donut and coffee cocktail, beer or whiskey pairing flight. Although, I would recommend to wait until at least mid-day to indulge in this heavenly treat.

Head to The Gulch to shop at local boutiques, and while you are there, take a photo with the famous Nashville Angel Wings.

One of my favorite lunch spots is Tailgate Brewery East Nashville for a great pizza and a beer flight. I also love Edley’s Bar-B-Que to satisfy your BBQ craving.

Be sure to visit Nelson’s Greenbrier Distillery for a cocktail at their prestigious bar. If you have time, take a tour to learn about how they came to be. Greenbrier is my hometown, so I’m a little partial to their story and their products are amazing.

Plan on having dinner one evening at Fifth and Broad early on in your visit. There are so many restaurant choices, that you may decide to come back another night to try more.

You must plan an evening to walk down Broadway and pop in and out of the many establishments that offer great live music. It’s easy to see how Nashville got the name “Music City”. Also, check the events calendar at the Ryman Auditorium and catch a show if you can. There’s nothing like listening to one of your favorite bands at the “Mother Church”.

Finish an evening with a cocktail at one of the many rooftop bars, such as Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar, Ole Red, or Luke’s 32 Bridge.

If you are looking for a little getaway from the big city, take a short drive to Arrington Vineyards, bring a blanket, and plan on staying a while. Fruit, cheese, and wine is a great way to unwind and hang out with friends.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many that I owe the success of my business to! First and foremost, my wonderful husband, Scott. He is my biggest supporter and encourager. He is also our trailer driver, furniture and decor hauler, and the loading and unloading expert. I couldn’t do it without him!

I truly have the best team! I can honestly say they care about Romance & Rust as much as I do. I am so blessed to have them by my side. Maranda Hughes, owner of Nashville Dream Events, has been a part of my team since styling her wedding in 2019. I tell everyone that she was one of my brides and I loved her so much, that I recruited her to join us.

Another huge part of my business’s success is the partnership with Michelle Jansen of Ina J Designs. We basically started this journey together and grew our businesses together with me providing design and decor, and her providing floral design. To this day, we absolutely love when we have the opportunity to work together to bring wedding day dreams to life.

I am so thankful for the relationships that we have developed with venue owners, other wedding pros, and our amazing couples. Most of my business comes from referrals and I am so grateful for each and every one of them!

Website: https://www.romanceandrust.com

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

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

Image Credits
Ashley Marlenis Photography