About
The Event
Complete with dinner and drinks, an emotional ceremony and a dance-party reception, The NotWedding has become a killer alternative to a bridal show. The hand-selected vendors perform their services as they would at a real wedding, and the “wedding guests” get to hear the music, taste the cakes, and smell the flowers… while enjoying a night of great food, dancing and surprises, leaving brides-to-be saying “I want my wedding to be just like that!”.
For brides and grooms, the event serves as a source of inspiration, a resource in finding trusted wedding vendors and an emotional reminder to plan for what comes after the wedding: a marriage! For participating wedding vendors, the event exposes their business to new referral sources, while also exposing each vendor to a wealth of inspiration, resources and confidence to take their business to the next level.
photos by the long farewell
The History
In 2008, aspiring wedding photographer Callie Murray was looking for a way to effectively build her new business. With the goals of promoting small businesses, inspiring brides & grooms and encouraging solid marriages, she rallied her wedding industry friends together to create the ultimate wedding experience: a perfectly planned “wedding” where brides-to-be could actually see vendors in action.
The inaugural NotWedding was a hit, and it became an annual event in Atlanta. Callie has since been joined by an amazing team of people who have helped bring The NotWedding to multiple cities across the country.
The Not Wedding 2011 from White Dress Media.
The Not Wedding 2012 – Orlando from Imprint Cinema on Vimeo.
The Team
Callie Murray, Founder/Owner
Callie started The NotWedding in 2008 and has been blessed by steady growth of the company in the midst of cross-country moves with her Navy husband and the births of her two little girls. Callie currently handles PR for the event as well as handling the big-picture elements of The NotWedding: where we’re going next, who’s taking us there, what we are going to do when we get there…
Michal Whitlock, National Director
Michal is basically The NotWedding Headquarters. She handles the emails and all the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps The NotWedding in motion, and she’s the boss(wo)man of our regional directors. She is the proud mama to a little man named Pace with another baby on the way. If you have a generic NotWedding question, contact Michal at michal@thenotwedding.com.
Ashley Buzzy McHugh, Designer
Ashley serves as The NotWedding’s staff designer: managing design of our website, social media forums, print pieces and web advertising. Ashley develops the themes for new NotWedding events and creates the Inspiration Boards we supply our vendors. She also works as owner/lead designer of her wedding stationery company, Buzzy Craftery, and you can view her work at www.ashleybuzzymchugh.com.
Jenna Chancey, Southeast Regional Director
Jenna interned with The NotWedding during her senior year at UGA, and we were blown away by her work ethic, her contagious positive attitude and her dance moves (you’ve gotta see her Wobble). When we decided to add a few new cities, we knew Jenna was our girl! Jenna is managing the events in Atlanta, Athens, Charleston and Nashville and she can be contacted at jenna@thenotwedding.com.
Jamie Bohlin, Cape Cod Regional Director
Jamie is the reason The NotWedding finally decided to expand outside of it’s hometown in Atlanta. Thanks to some (respectful and professional!) persistence on Jamie’s end, we were convinced that The NotWedding could in fact happen abroad. Jamie is the owner and lead coordinator of Cape Cod Celebrations, and she can be reached at jamie@thenotwedding.com.
Allie Webber, NYC Regional Director
Allie is a NYC-transplant from Georgia who works with the event design and production group Tinsel & Twine. Allie is this trendy little bundle of great ideas and hard work, and we’re thrilled to have her produce The NotWedding in New York City. Interested in joining us there? Contact Allie at allie@thenotwedding.com.
Ashley Moore, Wichita Regional Director
Ashley is one of those people that you look at and wonder how in the world she does it all, and all so well! She’s a mama of two littles ones, the owner of Events by Ashley and she is heading up the first ever Wichita NotWedding. Email ashley@thenotwedding.com for more info on joining our MidWest event!
Couture Events, Southern California Regional Directors
Krystel and Danielle of Couture Events have produced multiple NotWeddings in Southern California: two in San Diego and one in Los Angeles. Couture Events is a boutique coordination and event styling studio, and we’ve been honored to have them produce our West Coast events.
Join the Party
Are you engaged? Attend an event!
In the wedding industry? Show us whatcha got!
Looking for PR and event experience? Be a Brand Ambassador!