Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Clark.
Rachael, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
MC Darling Events was officially created by my mother Arlene Poole and I in 2016. We both had been avid collectors of mid-century modern dishware and glassware for over 15 years. I got married in January of 2013 and my mother and I thought how amazing would it be use our vintage dishware for my wedding and set the most perfect retro dinner reception. We then started to inventory our collections and realized we had such a vast array of retro and antique dinnerware for all types of weddings and occasions. I was a visual merchandiser and my mom was working in the bridal industry and we thought what can we do with these huge collections? Thus, the idea was born to rent out and style events for brides or hostesses that are looking for that whimsical vintage vibe! We then started to expand the vintage collections to not only dinnerware but candle holders, floral containers, coffee urns, tea pots, buffet decor, snack sets, glassware and even fabrics. We were picking and antiquing all over the United States at every chance we got.
Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth? Absolutely not! We just essentially decided to break into the bridal decor industry which is so competitive and ever changing. Trends come and go as quickly as a sneeze and that was a challenge for us in the beginning. Where do we fit? Do we follow trends to the “T” or do we branch out and do our own thing completely? We ultimately settled on a 50/50 approach with trends. We pick up on trends that lend to our vintage collections. We are not for everyone we are very specialized since we offer vintage items from 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. We are going to pick up on half of the trends that emerge and then fill in the other half with our unique retro designs. This has proven to be better for us because our looks are familiar to clients but are still unique and different. We don’t want to be copy cats we want to make people fall in love with the vintage vibe as we have.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the MC Darling Events story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a full-service design team that designs retro inspired tabletop decor. We design vintage looks for reception tables, buffet tables, bridal luncheons, dinner parties and also baby showers.
We love collorating with clients and coming up with very unique stories for their events. We cater to those who wants something a little different and nontraditional for their events. We love setting the full table and making sure your event is unforgettable. Our rental categories include dinnerware, stemware, floral containers, candle decor, fabric, vintage props, coffee service, punch bowls and snack sets. What sets us apart is 95% of all the collections are completely vintage. So many companies are reproducing retro or vintage looks but we are the real deal. We have been collecting for over 15 years and we want to share these collections with everyone. I would say what I’m most proud of is we started this business with just the 2 of us.
Everything is done in house between my mom and I, design, photography, marketing and finance. It’s really amazing and fun to work with my mom and were one person has a weakness the other has a major strength. We make a great team!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would really love to expand the rental and design business to other categories such as linens, flatware and even lounge rentals. Not only have my mom and I been collecting entertaining pieces we have a huge mid-century modern furniture collection. Tables, chairs, couches, buffets, lighting you name it we have been hoarding it for years. We are not in a place right now to have 1 location to house all these treasures but I would love to get all the pieces in one place and rent out all things mid-century for events, styled photo shoots and photographers.
Pricing:
- Centerpiece or Table Decor Design – average $45-$200 per table (will work with all budgets).
- Dinnerware packages $5.00-$7.50 per person
- A la Carte rental pricing $1.00-$32.00 per item; $200 minimum order
Contact Info:
- Address: 2422 Villa Vera Dr., Arlington, TX 76017
- Website: www.mcdarlingevents.com
- Phone: 940.395.1784
- Email: mcdarlingevents@gmail.com
- Instagram: @mcdarlingevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcdarlingevents/
Image Credit:
Sallee Photography
Rachael Clark
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