Savvy Events Auburn has quickly become one of the most trusted names in Auburn’s wedding community — known for creativity, custom design, and a commitment to quality that shines through in every event. Founded by Carley English, the business has grown from a small local operation into a go-to source for both planning and rentals, offering couples a full-service experience built on teamwork, craftsmanship, and care.
The Story Behind the Business
With a background in restaurant management, Carley fell into the wedding industry by accident. When she and her husband met in college, they were both looking for new opportunities and eventually made their way back to Auburn. After getting married, Carley’s experience working on the venue side of events led her to collaborate closely with planners and rental companies — sparking a passion for design and logistics.
In 2022, she had the opportunity to expand that passion into her own venture, launching Savvy Events Auburn. What started as a small idea quickly grew into something much larger. She realized how difficult it was for brides in the Auburn area to source high-quality rentals and beautiful designs locally — and she set out to fill that gap.
Her first few planning brides inspired the beginnings of the rental side. Carley’s husband built a custom bar for one wedding, then a table for another. Soon after, they created a few additional small pieces, and the rentals started taking off. What began as a side operation from their garage quickly evolved into a thriving business that now serves couples all over the region.
Savvy Events Auburn is still a family business at its core. Their values are reflected in their logo — a tree that represents being rooted in passion and grounded by teamwork. Each branch symbolizes the vendors and clients who make up their extended community. Carley’s focus on kindness, quality, and creativity has helped the company grow quickly while maintaining a personal, service-driven touch.
A Signature Approach to Wedding Planning
On the planning side, Savvy Events Auburn is known for its classic, cohesive designs with modern touches. Carley’s aesthetic leans structured and intentional — she avoids mixing too many patterns or competing design elements and focuses on creating a look that feels timeless yet fresh.
Her process starts with understanding what’s most important to each couple. When clients first reach out, she gathers essential information — like their venue, date, and budget — and then sends a detailed form covering everything from their wedding goals to their love story.
Carley and her team believe the wedding day should reflect the couple’s personality, whether that means honoring family traditions or adding fun, unique details like light-up dance floor elements. She always listens closely to what the groom wants too, making sure both voices are represented in the design.
Savvy’s planning packages are personalized and hands-on. Carley offers vendor recommendations tailored to each couple, attends floral design meetings, and maintains consistent communication throughout the process. The goal is to bring each vision to life while ensuring the couple stays focused on what truly matters — the celebration of their marriage.
A Creative Eye for Rentals and Design
Savvy Events Auburn also offers an expanding rental collection, perfect for creating statement moments that define a wedding’s aesthetic. Their newest inventory — available just in time for fall brides — includes a mix of custom and creative pieces:
-
Grand Bar Back: A showstopping piece that can feature custom logos or wording.
-
Kinkaid Custom Seating: Designed with flexibility in mind — couples can choose leg styles, colors, and tufted backs to match their vision.
-
10-Foot Dogwood Tree: A stunning feature often placed behind a round bar to elevate reception spaces.
The team is also introducing new soft seating options and custom wall installations, including lattice walls, sign-in walls, and stage wraps — all customizable in color and design.
If clients don’t see exactly what they’re looking for online, Savvy is always happy to source or create something new. “It’s not set in stone,” Carley emphasizes — the team thrives on creativity and loves coming up with custom solutions that make every event unique.
Her biggest piece of advice? “It’s always good to price out your dreams and bring them back to reality.” Carley reminds couples that statement pieces are meant to do the heavy lifting — by creating a focal point, you can keep the rest of your design simple and cohesive.
Bringing It All Together
Carley’s approach to weddings goes beyond aesthetics. She pays close attention to how the guest experience shapes the day — from the flow of the reception to personal touches like photo-based seating charts that double as keepsakes.
The team’s adaptability has been proven time and again, even in unpredictable situations. When one wedding weekend brought tornadoes to the area, Savvy Events Auburn successfully relocated the entire celebration indoors — redesigning the floor plan, coordinating vendors, moving rentals, and communicating with guests. Carley also emphasizes the importance of event insurance, noting how it can protect couples when last-minute changes or weather disruptions occur.
Style, Trends, and Thoughtful Design
Savvy Events Auburn keeps a pulse on wedding trends while staying true to timeless design. Current favorites include unique seating charts, paper umbrellas, garden-party-inspired decor, lanterns, and mixed colors. One thing Carley avoids? Overmixing patterns. She encourages couples not to buy everything off Pinterest without considering how it all fits together — a cohesive design always feels more elevated.
When styling events, Carley keeps balance in mind. For instance, if soft seating features a bold color, she tones down the specialty linens to let that piece shine. “White is not a neutral,” she notes. “It’s a bright color. Muted tones like ivory, blue, or green often look more natural alongside statement pieces.”
Her eye for detail even extends to setup: she reminds planners and teams to always steam the linens for a polished, photo-ready finish.
Looking Ahead
Savvy Events Auburn continues to grow while staying grounded in its family-driven values. Carley plans to expand her team with additional lead planners in the coming year, giving more couples the chance to experience the thoughtful service and creativity that define the brand.
At the end of the day, her favorite moment is always the same — seeing the couple smiling from ear to ear, knowing everything came together perfectly. “In ten years, when they think about their wedding, I want them to remember how Savvy helped make their day exactly how they wanted it to be.”
