The Mingle Events Experience
Mingle is an Asheville, NC based wedding planning team who know how to organize and design a party! We are a sucker for detail and specialize in creating personalized touches that create magical experiences and well-crafted events. Our calm yet focused nature and fun personality will help you feel at ease during your event planning process. Many of Mingle's events have been featured in the likes of Southern Weddings, the Ruffled blog, The Perfect Palette, Cosmo Bride, Style Me Pretty, and Trendy Bride. Mingle was voted "Best Wedding Planner" in 2014 by Borrowed & Blue, and one of Mingle's weddings was voted the "Most Quintessentially Asheville" wedding of 2016. Mingle was noted as Wedding Wire's "Couple's Choice" in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and has executed over 400 weddings to date.
Mingle was voted "Best Wedding Planner" in 2014 by Borrowed & Blue, and one of Mingle's weddings was voted the "Most Quintessentially Asheville" wedding of 2016.
Mingle was noted as Wedding Wire's "Couple's Choice" in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and has executed over 400 weddings to date. Mingle was also scouted as a premier wedding planner by The Scout Guide, Asheville in 2018. All of Mingle's planning + event design services provide some level of support and guidance with a primary focus on planning the logistics and executing the details. Mingle offers full wedding planning, partial planning, and 60-day coordination as well as event design. With Mingle, you will have confidence that your event is being managed with the utmost care with every small detail in mind.
meet the mingle team
candace hightower
Hey, Y’all I am Candace Hightower, owner, and creator of Mingle Events. I was born and raised in Tennessee and admire southern charm and hospitality. I am a graduate of The University of Tennessee and I love a football Saturday! I live for sharing a laugh (and glass of wine) with friends, love monogrammed everything and I get giddy when there is something to decorate or celebrate. I am a true Southern girl who is pretty much barefoot when allowed and I crave sunshine and salty air. I am a Mom of two blondies and a wife to my biggest cheerleader.
In 2016 I curated Engaged Asheville, a studio for all things wedding planning, and also own an award-winning wedding venue, The Barn at Honeysuckle Hill. Event planning and design have allowed a career and passion to collide and I will forever be grateful for this journey! My calm nature and fun personality will help you feel at ease during your wedding planning process and I would love to meet you and hear about your dream wedding!
caroline SLUDER
Hey, y'all! I'm Caroline. From a young age, I have always loved hosting and taking care of people. After years of planning parties, showers, and other various events, I joined the Mingle team through an internship as a college student. This internship confirmed my love of wedding planning and I never looked back. I swoon when I get to see all the details and hard work that go into the day finally come together. It's such an honor to be there at the start of someone's forever. My favorite part of the job is forming relationships with my couples that last far past their wedding date. I love cheering them on through all life's moments such as buying their first home, getting that new job, or having babies!
I am an unashamed Bachelor Nation fan and am always down to talk reality tv. My happy place is a country concert and brunch is my love language. I am marrying my best friend, Austin in March 2021. Planning my own wedding has been a completely new experience but it only confirmed the amazing quality and talent of the vendors in WNC. You are in the best of hands! Let Mingle help connect you with the vendors who are a perfect fit to bring your specific and unique wedding day vision to life!
ashley AULDREDGE
Hey Hey, Y’all! My name is Ashley and I was born and raised right here in the beautiful smokies of Asheville. I would say my love for event planning started at a very young age. Watching my Mother throw the most epic themed birthday parties sparked it all. I wasn’t going to let anyone I loved go without a party “to the nines”.
I studied Interior Design at Appalachian State University (Go Apps!!). After working in interior design in Atlanta, GA for a few years, my love for events was calling my name. I moved back to the place I called home and jumped into the wedding industry and have never looked back. My favorite part of being a wedding planner is getting to see the couple’s vision come to life on their special day. It truly is magical!
When I’m not working, I’m hanging out with my Husband Travis, and daughter Ella. Playing sports with my family, getting in a good workout, and enjoying the beautiful mountains of WNC are a few things I do in my spare time. I would love to help execute your big day and make it exactly what you have dreamed of!!
Nikki penland
Hey there, I’m Nikki! I’ve always loved throwing a great party, so when there was a chance to join Mingle Events I could not wait to get started.
Celebrating life's special events is my passion and I love seeing the smiles of excitement on people's faces, they completely fulfill me. I have been a dental hygienist for 14 years in Asheville, NC, and therefore have an eye and attention to detail. When I’m not working I am spending time with my husband, daughter, and son. We love going to the lake and spending time outside.
If you’re ready to celebrate, I’m here to help kick that plan into action.
Katelyn LaGrega
Greetings! I’m Katelyn, a Carolina Girl (with a big dash of my dad's New York Italian roots) who finally made it back to "The Old North State" after traveling abroad and living out west for over 15 years. I love living in Asheville and helping couples plan and execute their dream weddings here in beautiful WNC!
I have always been THE Party Planner among my family and friends. I love creating beautiful spaces, special experiences, and fun times at events using meaningful and unique details - scouring the internet, vintage markets and thrift stores is one of my favorite activities! I am a firm believer in never being too old for a good theme party, it’s all in the details, and you can never be too organized.
I have a background in planning complex travel itineraries, design, video production and operations. While working with Candace to plan my own wedding, I found my calling. When I had the opportunity to start working for Mingle (the very best of the best!) and help other couples plan and execute their dream weddings, I jumped at the chance!
In my spare time you can find me at home with my husband doing home improvement projects, cooking and playing games or with our friends enjoying the outdoors, breweries and live music, especially jam bands and bluegrass. I almost always have a podcast playing in one ear and unapologetically love all things Bravo. I'm always down for a good Housewives’ gossip sesh ;)
I can't wait to get to know you, guide you, and support you as we plan and execute the wedding of your dreams here in beautiful WNC!
LORENA ALAMO
Hey friends! My name is Lorena and I was born and raised right here in Asheville, North Carolina. Yes, I am one of the few actual locals you'll run into around here!
With my passion for events, I've always loved hosting and designing a good party - but my true love is people! Connecting with my couples and getting to know your unique love story is one of my favorite parts of the wedding planning process.
I have the cutest Goldendoodle named Ella, and outside of work you'll find me hiking, shopping, and spending time with my family who mean the absolute world to me. I can't wait to get started, and am so excited to be on this journey with you!
TIFFANY FISHER
Hey, y’all! My name is Tiffany and I was born in South Carolina but grew up right here in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Josh (who I ADORE!) and we have two beautiful kids, Holden and Neely who keep us very busy with sports and constantly entertained with their big personalities!
I love to decorate and shop. I never pass up a yard sale or a good thrift store and I am a sucker for cider, coffee, and crime shows. In my spare time, we live for our weekends on Lake Keowee, breweries, and college football Saturdays – ROLL TIDE!
Event planning runs in my southern blood! For many years, my mama was an event planner, and watching her throw huge parties and themed events created my passion for it, too. It’s such a blast and so rewarding to see a vision of a special occasion come to life. I look forward to helping you make your “theme” come, true!
41 NORTH MERRIMON AVE. SUITE 107,
ASHEVILLE NC 28804
MINGLE EVENTS
Serving Asheville, nc
PHONE: 865-803-3900
EMAIL: MINGLEEVENTSANDRENTALS@GMAIL.COM