We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christy Ranlett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christy below.

Christy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

We see the evolution of trends change drastically year after year. As a Wedding & Event Venue in a widely populated, diverse and rapidly growing city, we love to make all of our client’s creative ideas come to life! Our brides and clients are looking for a unique and intimate venue that has a story behind it and brings a little bit of history into their love story. Natural beauty, old historic brick buildings and original tin roof tiles. These are trending up due to what they portray in photos, the charming landscape it brings to events and the conversation pieces that adorn our building. And as social media and interactive experiences become the forefront in a lot of things we do today, we are seeing that showing its creativity in the event world. Immersive guest experiences, unique favors, personalized dances, show stopping foodscapes and gorgeous specialty drinks that speak to each couples love story! We fully embrace the trends and it’s what makes our events so fun and special for each one of our clients!

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?

First and Main is a vibrant and authentic event space that is led by a team of likeminded, driven women! The connection we have with our community and our clientele speaks to our love of human connection. Our sincere hope is that our space at First and Main will be the backdrop for the beauty of celebrations among families and friends for years to come. The minute you step foot into First and Main, we want you to experience the love that we have poured into every detail – from the hand-oiled heart pine floors to the carefully curated collection of furnishings. We have endeavored to design a space that will inspire you, each event adding a chapter to a story that we know will be unforgettable for you and for us.

At First and Main, our philosophy is to provide the highest quality personal service to each of our clients, establishing authentic relationships while helping to realize spectacular events no matter how big or small. Our staff is creative, professional and without pretense. We are genuinely invested in the success of your event whether it’s a wedding, charity event, corporate function, business networking or social celebration!

Our venue is located in a 5,000 square foot, fully restored 1940’s mercantile in the heart of Old Towne Knightdale, NC. This charming space features soaring 12ft original tin ceilings, beautifully weathered heart pine floors and an abundance of natural light. While First and Main boasts of inherent historic and vintage appeal, the space is an open canvas that easily flexes as a backdrop for varied event styles – from Rustic Chic to Modern Simplicity. From the minute you enter First and Main, you can feel the warmth and history that will set the tone on the day of your event.

First and Main has the unique distinction of offering a curated collection of vintage furniture, props, accessories and décor included with your rental for our venue clients. Once you have secured your event date at First and Main, you can work with our manager to select items from our inventory to compliment the styling of your event. A catalog of additional tabletop and food service décor is also available for our clients’ use.
Features included in the rental rate:

8-hour day-of rental
12- 72 in. round farm tables (easily draped if preferred)
240 metal farmhouse bistro chairs
12 Whiskey barrel cocktail tables with 30” glass round tops and 18 bar stools
1 9 ft antique butcher block buffet table
4 additional tables for gifts, food stations, bars, displays, etc
10-foot antique head table with chairs and buffet
Cake table
Small champagne bar
Coat rack and hangers for guest use
Built in u-shaped Bar/Buffet counter with pergola
Catering prep/staging area
Use for a 1 hour ceremony rehearsal 1-3 days prior ($200 value) as available
Pallet wall
Chalkboard wall
A frame chalkboard sign (indoor /outdoor)

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

We as a creative team excel at customizing each client’s vision and making it seamlessly come to life! No idea or concept is out of bounds, and we look forward to the challenge of turning an idea into an immersive experience for each person that walks into our space! The praise, word of mouth referrals and happy clients is the most rewarding part of this industry.
Our community outreach and work with non-profit organizations brings us so much joy! The relationships we have built within our amazing town and the lives we touch with each event is just incredible and so rewarding.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

At First and Main, we just want to bring a little bit of serenity and happiness into each person that enters our space. There is no judgement, no pushy sales tactics or pressure. We embrace human interactions, real conversations, open minds and a creative space for everyone to feel comfortable and be themselves! We take our clients on this creative journey with us!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://firstandmainnc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstandmainnc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstandmainnc