Vendor Spotlight Series: Upstate Event Services
Upstate Event Services Brings Wedding Visions to Life at Cherokee Valley
Hello, Cherokee Valley friends! We’re thrilled to bring you another Vendor Spotlight, where we introduce the incredible vendors who help make weddings and events at The Venue at Cherokee Valley truly unforgettable. This month, we’re excited to feature Upstate Event Services, a Greenville, SC-based rental company that’s been transforming events into magical experiences for over 20 years. We sat down with David Revels, the owner of Upstate Event Services, to learn more about his journey, his process, and why his team loves working with us here at Cherokee Valley. Let’s dive in!
The Heart of Upstate Event Services.
Tell us about Upstate Event Services and how you got started in the event rental industry.
David Revels: We started Upstate Event Services in 2005 as an offshoot of our catering company. We were involved in 10-15 events a week and required rentals for many of these events. We had already purchased some tables, china, glassware, and flatware, but we wanted to have a dedicated crew to handle the setup part of the event. A small rental company came up for sale, which we were able to purchase. This growth was sufficient to warrant the separation of the rental division into its own company. By 2008, we sold the catering division and concentrated on becoming the best rental company in the area.
What inspired you to focus on rentals for weddings and events, and what keeps you passionate about it?
David Revels: I have the best job in the world!! When it comes to weddings, we get involved with clients at the happiest time of their lives. Our job is to bring their vision to life and ensure they are satisfied. Weddings, birthday parties, graduations, and retirement events are milestones in families’ lives. It is great to see these families celebrating. We have now been in business long enough for the children of our early clients to come in and design their weddings. Over the years, I have had many clients who have become great friends. Placing your order doesn’t stop the relationship.
What makes Upstate Event Services stand out in the Greenville area?
David Revels: By starting in the wedding industry as a catering company, we have gained a working knowledge of the behind-the-scenes aspects of events and can offer suggestions that make the experience seamless. We rent with a working understanding of what the caterer needs to have a successful event. I also hold a degree in Design and Set Production for Theatre, so I view every event as a theatrical production. I can picture in my head how things are going to look, feel, and do a good job of explaining that to our clients. Additionally, although we have been in business for 20 years, we remain small enough to ensure that your event receives top priority on your special day.
Who’s the team behind the magic?
David Revels: We start with our office manager, Amanda Eubanks. Amanda has been with us for seven years and has a background in catering and hospitality that spans 10 years, before joining our team. She is the first step in the planning process, gathering information as to what you are looking for in the rental process. She is also familiar with many of the venues in the area and can provide valuable feedback to the client on how the venue operates. Jason Hathcox is our transportation director. Jason has been with me since 2002, when we were still catering. He possesses extensive knowledge and numerous years of experience in setup procedures. Jason has set up thousands of tents and has done most of the fabric hanging we have done over the years. Jonathan Morgan is our Warehouse Manager and has been with us for 10 years. He is responsible for everything that comes out of our warehouse, including quality, cleanliness, and repairs. Each item, from the smallest fork and spoon to the napkin, is inspected before being sent out. Patty Revels is the personality behind the operation. Patty handles our purchasing and identifies new trends, keeping our inventory fresh and up-to-date. She is also involved in taking orders, meeting with new clients, and planning events. She has been in the event industry for over 30 years and brings a wealth of knowledge as to what is possible with an event.
Crafting the Perfect Event Experience
What can couples expect when they book with you for a wedding at The Venue at Cherokee Valley?
David Revels: We are very familiar with The Venue at Cherokee Valley and can help to build a unique event with one of the premier locations in the Upstate.
How do you help couples select the right rentals that align with their vision?
David Revels: In our showroom or on our website, we offer samples of our tables, chairs, linens, help, and more to help our clients bring their vision to life. We encourage our clients to come to our showroom and play “table” with us to put everything together for just the right look. We have wedding coordinators who meet with their clients here specifically for this purpose. Our entire inventory is available to touch and feel as we set up your items for approval.
What’s your favorite part about seeing a venue transform with your rentals?
David Revels: It is so gratifying to work on an event from conception through completion and see the event come to life. As a staff, we take pride in an event that comes together and exceeds the client’s initial vision.
How do you ensure your rentals are top-notch?
David Revels: One of the hardest things about purchasing for our business is ensuring we can replicate the items we have. We buy 12 of something for an event, and the next client needs 15!! We continually purchase and replenish our inventory. Once it is in our inventory, an item will be touched by our staff a minimum of 7 times between rentals. We pull the item for the order (1), driver checks the item before loading the truck (2), driver counts the items off the truck to the client or the venue (3), driver picks up the item and counts it to the truck inspecting for damage (4), warehouse receives items off the truck to clean and repair (5), item is cleaned by warehouse staff (6), warehouse checks off items to be returned to inventory (7). Repeat for the next fabulous event!!
A Perfect Match with Cherokee Valley
What do you love about working with The Venue at Cherokee Valley?
David Revels: Working at Cherokee Valley is such a pleasure. Being organized as a Venue makes our job so much easier. They have an attention to detail and are proactive with us in delivering early and making plans to review the event early in the process. The landscaping at The Venue at Cherokee Valley is impressive, making the events truly stand out. We can add to it, but the spaces we have set up are already beautiful.
Trends and Tips for 2025 Weddings
What rental trends are you seeing for 2025?
David Revels: Muted colors, pastels are in this year—greens like sage and clover, yellows like buttercup, and purples in the claret and lilac palette. Gold accents are still big, but starting to be replaced with more vintage items.
Any advice for couples considering rentals?
David Revels: Contact us and let us put together a quote that includes everything you can think of, covering the largest number of guests on your guest list. Go for it all! Then, examine this and make rational decisions about what fits within the budget. Removing chargers from a tablescape can drop the cost of a wedding of 100 by over $500.00. Small changes can put the budget back into view, but you may want to see it all first.
What’s one often-overlooked detail that makes a significant impact?
David Revels: Lighting makes a big statement. From uplights around a room to chandeliers hung from a tree, lighting can truly make an event.
Fun and Personal Touches
What’s the most unique rental setup you’ve ever done?
David Revels: Setting up a tent inside a gym, providing an outdoor feel with air conditioning!!
If you could design a dream setup at Cherokee Valley, what would it look like?
David Revels: We love setting up tents in the back patio area and look forward to installing a canopy over the stage for a live band sometime soon, complete with colorful umbrellas over tables for a spring wedding.
When you’re not working events, how do you unwind?
David Revels: Patty and I spend our downtime cooking, enjoying friends and family, and spoiling our dog, Sheldon. Patty enjoys a good book, and during football season, David can be found at a game or in front of a TV somewhere with friends watching the game.
When you’re not filming weddings, how do you like to spend your time?
Kayla: We’re total homebodies sometimes—bingeing ‘Young Sheldon’ and ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ right now. But we also love taking our dachshunds, Mylie and Luke Skywalker, on weenie walks, hitting the gym, doing yoga, hiking, paddleboarding, and cooking up amazing vegan, gluten-free dishes. Keeps us balanced!
Anything else you’d like to share about Upstate Event Services or working with Cherokee Valley?
David Revels: Oh my, the food!! For on-site food service, these guys are at the top of the game. This is not your typical overcooked catering food options. Fresh and served with great flair. Come up for dinner and try your favorites—plan to be amazed.
Where can couples learn more about your services?
David Revels: Visit us at www.upstateeventservices.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for inspiration. We’re ready to bring your wedding vision to life!
We’re so excited to have David Revels and Upstate Event Services as part of our vendor family here at The Venue at Cherokee Valley. Their passion, creativity, and hands-on approach make them a perfect fit for crafting unforgettable weddings. Ready to start planning your day with them at The Venue at Cherokee Valley? REACH OUT and let’s make some magic happen!
Stay tuned for the next feature in our Vendor Spotlight Series, where we’ll introduce another amazing Greenville wedding vendor to make your day at The Venue at Cherokee Valley truly unforgettable.
Stay tuned for more Vendor Spotlights and follow our blog for the latest wedding inspiration!
With love and excitement,
The Team at The Venue at Cherokee Valley
