In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media CEO Sonja Babich sits down with Chelsea Gibson to speak with Kate Naylor, Event Director of Bright Event Rentals. Recorded in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, the conversation explores how rental design has evolved into one of the most powerful tools for shaping the overall experience of a wedding day. With a career that spans venues, catering, trade shows and large-scale event production, Kate offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how rental professionals help bring wedding visions to life.

Kate’s path into the industry began unexpectedly while she was serving at a restaurant in college that hosted weddings in its event space. After discovering a talent for managing events, she built a career in the hospitality world, eventually serving as Director of Events at Aria Minneapolis before moving into trade show production in Las Vegas. After relocating to Phoenix, she joined Bright Event Rentals, where her wide-ranging experience across multiple sides of the event industry now informs her work supporting weddings, corporate events and large-scale celebrations.

During the conversation, Kate explains that rental companies often serve as the logistical backbone of a wedding day. From installing tables and chairs to placing linens and tabletop pieces, rental teams are typically the first vendors to arrive on-site and the last to leave. “We’re laying the foundation,” she explains, noting that many guests don’t even realize how much of the event environment—from furniture to décor—was brought in specifically for the celebration rather than provided by the venue itself.

The discussion also highlights how thoughtful rental selections can dramatically elevate a wedding’s design. While statement chairs often catch attention, Kate believes some of the most impactful upgrades come from smaller tabletop details that guests interact with throughout the reception. Unique flatware, textured linens, chargers and distinctive glassware can all contribute to a more luxurious atmosphere. Because guests spend much of the evening seated at their tables, these design choices play a major role in shaping the overall guest experience.

Kate also shares insight into current trends she’s seeing in wedding rentals. Couples are increasingly opting for linen-free tables that showcase natural wood textures, sculptural fluted tables and layered tabletop designs that mix materials and finishes. Rental companies today offer far more customization than many couples realize, making it possible to transform a venue in subtle or dramatic ways depending on the design vision.

Founded in California in 2013, Bright Event Rentals has grown rapidly and now operates seven locations in California, four in Texas and one in Arizona, serving events throughout the region. The company offers online design tools that allow couples and planners to build tablescape concepts digitally before placing rental orders, as well as showrooms where clients can see pieces in person and test full table setups. For couples navigating wedding planning decisions, Kate emphasizes that rentals offer flexibility: whether a couple wants to prioritize a few standout details or fully customize an entire event space, the right rental strategy can help bring their vision to life.

In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media CEO Sonja Babich sits down with Chelsea Gibson to speak with Kate Naylor, Event Director of Bright Event Rentals. Recorded in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, the conversation explores how rental design has evolved into one of the most powerful tools for shaping the overall experience of a wedding day. With a career that spans venues, catering, trade shows and large-scale event production, Kate offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how rental professionals help bring wedding visions to life.

Kate’s path into the industry began unexpectedly while she was serving at a restaurant in college that hosted weddings in its event space. After discovering a talent for managing events, she built a career in the hospitality world, eventually serving as Director of Events at Aria Minneapolis before moving into trade show production in Las Vegas. After relocating to Phoenix, she joined Bright Event Rentals, where her wide-ranging experience across multiple sides of the event industry now informs her work supporting weddings, corporate events and large-scale celebrations.

During the conversation, Kate explains that rental companies often serve as the logistical backbone of a wedding day. From installing tables and chairs to placing linens and tabletop pieces, rental teams are typically the first vendors to arrive on-site and the last to leave. “We’re laying the foundation,” she explains, noting that many guests don’t even realize how much of the event environment—from furniture to décor—was brought in specifically for the celebration rather than provided by the venue itself.

The discussion also highlights how thoughtful rental selections can dramatically elevate a wedding’s design. While statement chairs often catch attention, Kate believes some of the most impactful upgrades come from smaller tabletop details that guests interact with throughout the reception. Unique flatware, textured linens, chargers and distinctive glassware can all contribute to a more luxurious atmosphere. Because guests spend much of the evening seated at their tables, these design choices play a major role in shaping the overall guest experience.

Kate also shares insight into current trends she’s seeing in wedding rentals. Couples are increasingly opting for linen-free tables that showcase natural wood textures, sculptural fluted tables and layered tabletop designs that mix materials and finishes. Rental companies today offer far more customization than many couples realize, making it possible to transform a venue in subtle or dramatic ways depending on the design vision.

Founded in California in 2013, Bright Event Rentals has grown rapidly and now operates seven locations in California, four in Texas and one in Arizona, serving events throughout the region. The company offers online design tools that allow couples and planners to build tablescape concepts digitally before placing rental orders, as well as showrooms where clients can see pieces in person and test full table setups. For couples navigating wedding planning decisions, Kate emphasizes that rentals offer flexibility: whether a couple wants to prioritize a few standout details or fully customize an entire event space, the right rental strategy can help bring their vision to life.