So a few weeks ago I sat down with Sara and Kelsey, co-owners of Rae and Lee Event Rentals out of Minot, North Dakota.  I had seen some of their work on Instagram and Facebook over the past few months.  We set up an interview for the blog a few months back and we finally were able to get together to chat a bit about business, showcase a few of there awesome pieces, and talk a bit about how brides and photographers can benefit from having such a massive collection of furniture rental right here in Minot, North Dakota!

I pulled up to their warehouse located near the railroad tracks north of downtown Minot. I walked into the warehouse and was honestly a little overwhelmed by the number of quality furniture pieces they are currently featuring in their inventory.  I think I could have walked laps around the warehouse and find something new for hours!  One of the first things to catch your eye is the wall of chairs on the back wall.  I love how Kelsey and Sara have created this almost rainbow effect in the order of their chairs!  So many vintage velvet chairs in so many beautiful colors!  They had sent over their look book to me where I had gotten to take a look at some of their inventory beforehand but seeing it all in person it’s easy to see how you could be overwhelmed!  

I chatted with Kelsey a bit before Sara got there. She told me a bit about the history of the building it’s self.  At one point there was some type of mill or oil distributor.  There were these huge gears on the ceiling towards the back of the warehouse.  Orriganly the building didn’t have all the divider walls but they had been put in to break up the building into smaller units to rent out. I walked around and photographed some things that jumped out to me before heading back into the front room to sit down and interview these two kick-butt business women on what all has gone into creating the business, what struggles they have faced, and what goals they have for the future!

I asked them what started all of this and they said honestly the couch your sitting on now! I was sitting on a dusty blue crushed velvet couch that sat low to the ground with a scalloped back. Sara and Kelsey had meet years ago at a junk show and struck up a conversation about how they both loved all of the neat treasures they were finding.   Both of them have their own creative business aside from Rae and Lee Event Rentals. Each of them seems to bring such unique qualities to the table yet feed off of their shared love for vintage finds!

How did you come up with the name Rae and Lee Event Rentals?

We are Rae and Lee because that’s our middle names. Sara Rae and Kelsey Lee.

What is your favorite part so far on running the business?

Sara: We are very different in a lot of ways but we have some similarities we are both Libras so I think that makes us want to balance and keep the peace on a lot of things. She is younger and much more modern, I’m older and I like a more rustic country feel.  So I think we both bring a good eclectic mix of what we offer. But we both see things and think they cool so that’s why I think where we are similar. We can both appreciate the other ones taste in items to bring into our inventory. She is much more driven and organized where I am so scatterbrained so we are always balancing each other out!

Kelsey: I would say my favorite part is finding new pieces and getting to rotate out items. and always finding new stuff  Sara: yes the hunt us so much fun!

What has been the most challenging part?

Kelsey: probably getting the word out there! It’s a new concept and a lot of people don’t really get it right away, even when they come into the warehouse they really like the pieces, but sometimes aren’t sure how they can actually use for their event.

Sara: I think it’s been challenging for people to visualize it in their spaces it definitely pushes people to be more creative.  Our items are also very vintage and so just figuring out how to tap into that client base, or showing how you can actually mix styles too. 

What is your favorite piece?

Kelsey The one you’re sitting on -Betty!

Sara: I don’t know that’s so hard!  We actually name our pieces and there is one called the Laura chair after my mom.  She had back surgery and had to sit up really straight so she used the chair for both of her surgeries so now every time that chair goes out I think of my mom since it named after her!

Kelsey: Yes, all of our pieces have names I tend to pick names that just sound cool but Sara’s always have cool stories behind the names. haha yeah like our red chair named brandy, looks like it’s from the 1920s and someone should be sitting in it drinking brandy and then there is a couch that matches it and its just this big heavy thing that looks like it could be Brandy’s older sister so her name is Bertha!

What are your favorite events to work on so far?

Kelsey: Weddings. I think it would be ideal if we had a bride who was looking for vintage everything.  We haven’t had that just yet but that would be awesome.  Sara: Last year I got married so I used so many of our pieces!  It was like a kid going to a candy store, but my family hated me for a bit because I talked them into helping move all of it.  Kelsey: yeah it was like empty in here the day of her wedding! I’m surprised you got them all to help you.

What are your goals for the next 3-5 years?

Continue to grow and start to work around town for other things besides weddings. Like working with the city to style different events and shoots for them. And starting to work with some more corporate events. Possibly doing some pop-up things in the mall or something like that. And then also working on becoming top of mind for people looking for props for photos.

Who do you think has benefited the most having your business in town?

Kelsey: I would have to say photographers have probably benefited the most this last year.  Especially since so many photographers don’t have traditional studios anymore and don’t have the room to store big props like this. So the fact that they can come here rent something then drop it off and not have to store it has definitely been appealing to them. Plus we are always getting new stuff in so they always have new stuff to choose from too!  

Sara: I think decorators have also really liked using us too. Then they don’t have to store it on top of all their own inventory.  A Bit of Heaven has actually put all of our inventory in with their inventory when they are showing brides what they can pull from so that has been really nice for them and their brides.  

What advice would you give to others wanting to start their own creative business?

Kelsey: just do it Sara: yea and don’t give up! 

What would you say is your biggest challenge has been starting Lee and Rae Event Rentals?

Kelsey:I think we would both agree on this but probably the bookkeeping and accounting part of it.  We both love the creative part and the ideas but behind the scenes staying organized is hard for me and I think that’s the same for Sara

Now it was time for the rapid fire questions! These are just fun questions I like asking to learn some fun things about people! 

Rapid Fire

What is your favorite drink to order?  Sara tetos club soda with lime  Kelsey: alcoholic? Chelsy: however, you interpret it! Budlight with Clamado for sure 

Favorite Coffee Shop? Sara: daily buzz  Kelsey: I don’t drink coffee so none 

Favorite Color? Sara: purple Kelsey: Teal

Dogs or Cats?Sara:dogs  Kelsey:dogs 

Vintage or Modern? Sara: vintage  Kelsey: can I do both 

Dream vacation? Sara: a beach Kelsey: Waco TX   Sara: oo Waco or Round Top TX 

Favorite food? Sara: Pizza Kelsey: Pizza 

Favorite store to shop? Sara: thrift and junk stores  Kelsey: boutiques and junk repurposed stores 

Next years Halloween costume? Sara: wicked witch  Kelsey: Well every year I do it with my dog and my husband so something in a set of three for sure Last years was a shark, shark attack victim, and a lifeguard 

Favorite holiday? Sara: Holloween Kelsey: Christmas

My favorite piece in the collection would have to be the Alice Chair! I might have to do a stylized shoot with this chair in the near future!

How you can use furniture rental for your next event

I had so much fun meeting these two awesome ladies and learning a bit more about the event rental business. They really do have so many items! Everything from colored stemware, to rugs and a bathtub. The big red couch Bertha would be perfect for a family session Christmas card.

One really neat trend I have been loving in the wedding scene lately is having lounge areas in your reception area. This gives your guests natural spots to congregate and catch up during your cocktail hour. This also creates a stunning spot for bride and groom portraits before the wedding, or even during sunset! During one of my laps around the warehouse I noticed the cutest blue typewriter that would be so cute on your guest book table for guests to leave a note to you, or even have them type up their name and mailing address so you could update your address book for thank you cards, or Christmas cards later on!

I think my favorite idea of using furniture rental for a wedding is to create a beautiful sweetheart table! Honestly, I think having the entire bridal party at a head table is starting to go by the wayside. If you think about it, if your wedding party members bring a date that’s not in the wedding party chances are they probably wont be sitting at the head table anyway. Save on the cost of creating a huge head table and keep it simple with a sweetheart table just for the bride and groom!

This would also bring your DIY Photo Booth to an entirely new level! The Delilah chair would look so neat at a boho wedding photo booth, or even a wedding with a tropical theme!

I am so excited to watch Minot and the surrounding area catch on to this amazing opportunity for weddings, corporate events, and even family and senior photos!

Catch up with Lee and Rae Event Rentals over on Instagram and Facebook.

Styled Photos by:

Thais Photography

McKenna Jo Photography

Finny Photography

Cory Garber Photography

KB Designs – Kelsey’s Design business (check her out she is super talented!)