Ashley Rath, above, says she chose to locate her company, Dishy Weddings, in the CWE because of its central location and charm…and, it's within walking distance of The Cup, one of her favorite neighborhood haunts! The timing of her move operating out of a home office, which necessitated meetings with clients at Starbucks or Panera Bread, to a place of her own was somewhat unusual since she was 8 1/2 months pregnant with her first child. While most women would be thinking of taking some time off, one should never underestimate the determination and stamina of a wedding planner! Ashley's husband Robin, who designs phone apps for Coolfire, suggested she should wait at least a couple of months after their daughter's birth to move in. But Ashley wanted to get her ducks in a row and move from operating her office from their home in South City's McKinley Heights before the baby's arrival seven months ago.
Ashley cut her teeth in the business working for another wedding planner and ventured out on her own four years ago. This dynamo is well qualified for the task of working with an engaged pair from initial planning stages through the wedding day festivities. She earned a degree in journalism from Mizzou, an MBA in entrepreneurship from Park University, and has a project management certificate in her cap as well. While she was working on her MBA and researching a name for her company, she came across "dishy" (meaning glamorous) in a Thesaurus. She plays up variations on that theme with her wedding packages which suggest a "Main Dish" (a full course of wedding services with Ashley handling every detail from start to finish). "Side Dish" is a "Month of" package which means the couple does all the planning up to the last month, when they hand over the contracts and arrangements they have made, and let Ashley take it from there. It is also possible to build your own custom wedding package. Dishy Weddings rates start at $1500.
One of the splashiest, most unusual weddings Ashley planned was for a couple in the restaurant industry who had their reception at Lumen, located downtown. Guests were entertained by firebreathers and confetti shot out of a cannon. In June, Ashley is planning a wedding under a tent at a private home complete with paper lanterns and poetry created for the guests by Henry David Goldkamp of freshpoetry.ink (see previous post here). CWE-based Entre. is catering the event.
Ashley's clients find her through word of mouth and the wedding website The Knot
where Dishy Weddings & Events has been named in the "best weddings"
category for 2013. She recently won recognition from WeddingWire as well, based on positive feedback from her customers.
To contact Ashley Rath visit her website at Dishy Weddings. Her studio is located at 449 N. Euclid, (314) 246-9148.