Meet Lindsey Collins | Wedding Planner & Event Specialist

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

Hi Lindsey, what principle do you value most?
The value that matters most to me and my brand is authenticity. If I’m not bringing my truest self to the table with each event, then I’m not honoring myself or portraying my business correctly. I chose the name “Bearcat” because it means “a lively, spirited woman, possibly with a fiery streak.” That’s exactly who I am at my core. I’m a *little* sassy, very spirited in communication, and I genuinely care about the people I work with. I have to care about these people or I don’t stay interested in what I’m doing, which means I’m not fully committing to my business, and if I’m not fully committing, then what was the point of starting a business at all? Being true to yourself, your values, and your intuition is always guaranteed to lead you in the right direction.

What should our readers know about your business?
Bearcat Events is unique in that I operate as my own team. I do not have staff that assists with events, which is why I only take 10 weddings a year. I’m the planner and executor from start to finish, which means the bonds with my couples are incredibly strong. I typically play by the “we’re going to be friends forever now” motto because it’s important for me to make my couples feel fully understood and like I can make decisions in their best interest. I approach each event in a way that makes the most sense to me, and I try not to compare myself to other successful planners too much. We can all learn from each other, but if I’m straying from what works for me just because someone else does something a different way that works for them, I’m not honoring the root of what makes my business special: myself and my creative process. I’ve been involved in some sort of event planning and execution for 10 years. I don’t think most people would say this is an “easy” career choice. I think some people see event planning as simply making parties cute or decorating a room, when really, if you’re good at it, there’s a great amount of logistical and communicative challenges with each event. Building floor plans that encourage crowd flow and comfortability, staffing, using vendors that show up and set up properly (and on time!), constant last minute adjustments, predicting weather, customer service – the list goes on and on. Sometimes we’re getting covered in mud in the rain for several days before an event trying to make sure something is set properly and sometimes we’re re having a cocktail and admiring months of work put into a table scape design. Just like any job, we learn from what doesn’t work and many times, we’re learning the hard way.
I think what’s most important in this line of work is maintaining consistent communication. If you can’t respond to emails in a timely manner, PLEASE consider a different career field. Your clients and vendors alike are counting on a type-A, organized, responsive person to handle a very expensive, important day. Additionally, people are more forgiving of minor mistakes if you communicate why they were made and own up to them, and work to rectify them.
My brand and my story is rooted in staying true to who I am and what makes me, me. I’m going to be just as honest with you as I would my best friend – whether you like it or not – if it means that your event will succeed because of it. Most of my couples throughout the years have told me that they want to keep hanging out, grab a cocktail, or just text occasionally after their wedding ends because they feel like we made a genuine connection. That’s what keeps me in this business; I just genuinely love connecting with people.

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?
My idea of fun lies in eating, drinking, and seeing some beautiful scenery. At the top of my list of can’t miss downtown/surrounding area places would be: Walking around the Old City
Rala
Honeymouth
Java for iced coffee and a delicious pastry
Red Panda for a breakfast sandwich
Walk all of Gay St & Market Square, checking out shops like Nothing Too Fancy and grabbing the Oh Boy sandwich from Tomato Head
Short tour of the TN Theatre
Afternoon cocktail at Oliver Royale
Walk the Gay St Bridge, taking in the city views
Drive around Sevier on South Knoxville, checking out breweries and restaurants like Landing House
Exploring Ijams for a taste of nature
Dinner at A Dopo, Emilia, JC Holdway, Osteria Stella/Brother Wolf, Oliver Royale
Drinks at Public House, Suttrees, Yeehaw, and if feely dive-y, Urban Bar (has GREAT fries & queso!)
Lunch from Potchke or heading to Marble City Market for a quick bite
Walking around the 4th & Gill neighborhood, exploring gorgeous houses
Sandwiches from Steamboat on Central
Karaoke at Marie’s on Central
Late night pizza from DaVinci’s – a sobering up staple in the Old City
Quesatacos from La Herradurra
If it’s First Friday, checking out the galleries around town
Beer & pizza at Barleys
Cocktails at Post Modern Spirits
Seeing a show at the Mill and Mine or TN Theatre

West Knoxville:
Dinner at Sticky Rice Cafe
Dinner/margaritas at Chez Guevara
Walking/Picnic in Lakeshore Park
Walking/Picnic in Sequoyah Hills
Dinner at Northshore Brasserie

Knoxville continues to grow and there’s sooo many businesses I didn’t mention but are well worth stopping in. There would likely be lots of naps involved in between, too (haha).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Several people! In the early years:
+Molly King – Molly Jo Events | Molly was my mentor through much of my event planning learning process and launching my own business
+Chyna Brackeen – My Attack Monkey | Chyna has always been a Knoxville Icon and I’ve never met a more savvy business owner and event specialist
+Cynthia Moxley – Moxley Carmichael | Cynthia gave me my first paid internship opportunity in my early 20s which guided me through the world of PR and corporate event structures, and lead me to my first salaried position in events, The International Biscuit Festival
+My mom, always
Currently:
+Bridgewater Management Corp | The management team at Bridgewater (where I work in sales and event management throughout the year in addition to owning my own business) has been the most supportive, flexible, dedicated, and genuinely fun group of people to work with. I consider myself so lucky to be able to work for a company that supports my wedding planning business and utilizes my abilities to help both of us grow. As a planner, it’s incredibly important to know that I can offer my couples a catering service or an event venue that will provide a service that meets my (and their) standards as well as genuinely caring about the clients’ needs.

Website: www.bearcatevents.com

Instagram: bearcatevents

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

Image Credits
Rachel ILY Photos Madison Miles Photo Jordan Hope Photos Christine Meyer Creative