We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Bourque recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss? What did you learn from them? Maybe you can share a story that illustrates the kind of boss they were or maybe you can share your thoughts on what you think made them an awesome person to work for?

I have been planning events for as long as i can remember. However, when it came time to launch my OWN business, it took huge risk, time, money, etc. It was thrilling and scary all at the same time. After a few months of running things on my own, I started to get my confidence back, and was booking events! How fun!

I was approached by Sarah Chancey, who owned another planning umbrella company, Chancey Charm. I ended up merging the two businesses here in Tennessee, and Silver Celebrations because the TN location for Chancey Charm as well.

They had planners in a ton of cities across America, and I loved the passion Sarah had. It was a fantastic business model, where we had team calls and support, design help, access to online planning tools, etc. It was a great way to attach my new baby business to a more established one, and get some more insight from other wonderful planners who were in a similar place in life as I was.

The best thing about Sarah other than her passion and enthusiasm, is that she truly CARED about us all. She was approachable, had great feedback, a good eye for design, and was fun. She was not a boss, but a guide and fairy godmother, We became fast friends and i will always appreciate her guidance, respect, and love those first few years.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

​I’m Ashley Bourque, the founder and lead planner of Silver Celebrations, a Nashville-based event management company. Although we are based here, we plan events globally! My journey into event planning began during my time at San Diego State University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Early experiences, such as planning high school prom and sorority events and working with organizations like the San Diego Padres, solidified my passion for creating memorable events. After moving to Nashville, I immersed myself in the local community, managing Edgehill Café and building a foundational network. This led to opportunities in the music industry, including planning and managing registrants for the Country Radio Seminar, a role I’ve cherished for over ten years. ​

In 2017, with encouragement from my husband, I launched Silver Celebrations, named after my maiden name. Since then, we’ve planned over 260 events, ranging from weddings and proposals to corporate conferences and music industry showcases. Our services encompass full-service planning, day-of coordination, and event consulting, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Whether it’s a destination wedding, a corporate retreat, or a live music event, we specialize in creating experiences that reflect our clients’ personalities and dreams. ​

What sets Silver Celebrations apart is our commitment to building genuine relationships with our clients. We believe that events are expressions of individual stories, and we strive to infuse each celebration with personal touches that resonate. Our team is known for being efficient, fun, and dedicated, ensuring that every event is seamless and stress-free. We take pride in our ability to handle last-minute challenges discreetly, allowing our clients to fully enjoy their special moments. ​

Beyond planning, I’m a full-time mama who loves spending time with my husband, our three kids, and our two pups, Butch Walker and Zeek Braverman. I enjoy going to concerts, traveling, and savoring a good cup of coffee. My love for song lyrics, food, itineraries, and adventures fuels my creativity and passion for event planning. ​

At Silver Celebrations, we’re more than just planners; we’re your partners in bringing your vision to life. Let’s create something unforgettable together.​

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I feel so fortunate to have developed long-lasting, honest relationships with a lot of vendors, venues, and people here in town (and beyond). I am grateful for their support in the form of recommendations. I am thankful to be on people’s preferred partner lists, and I will never take that for granted.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes! As I mentioned before, my full time job, turned side hustle, turned into a full self-owned business thanks to a nudge from my husband almost 10 years ago!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.silvercelebrationsnashville.com
• Instagram: @silvercelebrations or @ashsbourque
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silvercelebrations
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleysbourque/

Image Credits

Whitney Woodall, Smith Creative, Glenai Gilbert, Anne Tenkhoff