Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbi Moore.
Hi Debbi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2017, one of our daughters was getting married on a family farm. She wanted every guest to have a different floral china plate, to bring in the fancy. Luckily, we had one year to find 450 different floral china plates. But, it is very difficult to buy just one plate at a time. We bought many sets of dishes just to use one. After her wedding, we didn’t exactly know what to do with all the dishes. So I started renting for ladies’ teas, bridal, and baby showers. And kept adding to my collection because I was having so much fun setting tables with mismatched dishes. In 2019, I decided to take a leap of faith and join The Wedding Festivals to showcase my tablescape designs/dishes. I was so nervous, little fish in a big pond. But that decision radically changed my life. I met the most amazing wedding vendors and scheduled weddings for 2019. And so began, Something Borrowed in the wedding industry. Today, even though COVID, we book more weddings each year. And this year, we have officially booked into next year.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it has been a smooth road but steady growth pains. COVID certainly set us back. We were able to help brides during the COVID pandemic. Brides made the decision to keep their guest list small and intimate. The larger weddings postponed their ceremonies/receptions and we were able to set the tables for each of those weddings. I would also say; trying to store and organize our stock has been a good struggle. We were in our 2-car garage and alphabetized by name of the dish pattern in Rubbermaid containers for a couple of years. Last year, we rented a 40-foot shipping container, built shelves to hold all the dishes, goblets, flatware, and tabletop decor and we are looking into renting a 2nd container. I like to have my stock on the property so I can have quicker access. During the evenings I can work, or as I like to call it – play with my dishes. I pre-set all my bride’s tables before their wedding and take a picture of the setup so that I can share it with my team. I pack a crate for each table. This helps us set up quickly and efficiently.
We evaluate constantly our packing and delivery system. It is still a work in progress.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently working full-time as a Practice Administrator for an OB/GYN office, which works out great since most weddings or events fall on the weekend. I have worked in Obstetrics and Gynecology for 15 years. I honestly enjoy mentoring my employees, advocating for patients, and being an extension of my physicians for practice growth and success. In what is seemingly a happy working environment, we encounter difficult days more than we like. I want to help my patients walk through good times and difficult times. I genuinely care about people and I think that is one thing that sets me apart in the wedding world too.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have quite a few nuggets of learned lessons!
1. I was told in the beginning “not ” to become friends with my brides, to keep it strictly business. Well, I quickly learned that doesn’t work. It goes against who I am and that advice was negative to my business. I genuinely care about my brides and want to do my part to make their wedding dreams come true. People can tell when you really care.
2. I learned that if I let my brides pick their dishes – yes we go out into the container and pull dishes and set up a mock table, so she can see her vision- it is a happy experience for her; better customer service. And sometimes, they have better ideas than I do for their table settings. I love the collaboration.
3. I have learned not to stress out if a bride doesn’t book with me after we meet and pull dishes. I can’t take it personally and I don’t. I understand weddings have budgets and I will do my best to fit into a budget.
4. The wedding industry is large but also a small community. And it is one of the greatest communities I have been a part of. Every wedding, every event, every festival brings me such joy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @somethingborrowedtablescapes
- Facebook: Something Borrowed Tablescapes
Image Credits
Sara Touchet Photography
Taylor Avery Photography
Ashleigh Craft Designs
DylanMcCullough Photography
