About
The Event
Complete with dinner and drinks, an emotional vow-renewal ceremony and a dance-party reception, The Big Fake Wedding (formerly known as The NotWedding) has become a killer alternative to a bridal show.
The Big Fake Wedding was the first event of its kind when it was founded in 2008, creating an experiential opportunity for wedding vendors to showcase their products and services to shopping brides and grooms just as they would at a real wedding. Ten years later in 2018, The Big Fake Wedding is still the most uniquely curated and most far-reaching bridal show alternative in the nation, attracting over 6,000 attendees and 1,000 vendors annually across 30+ events in 25 cities.
The hand-selected vendors perform their services as they would at a real wedding, and the “wedding guests” get to hear the music, taste the cakes, and smell the flowers… while enjoying a night of great food, dancing and surprises, leaving brides-and-grooms-to-be saying “I want my wedding to be just like that!”
For brides and grooms, the event serves as a source of inspiration, a resource in finding trusted wedding vendors and an emotional reminder to plan for what comes after the wedding: a marriage! For participating wedding vendors, the event exposes their business to new referral sources, while also exposing each vendor to a wealth of inspiration, resources and confidence to take their business to the next level.
The History
In 2008, aspiring wedding photographer Callie Murray was looking for a way to effectively build her new business. With the goals of promoting small businesses, inspiring brides and grooms, and encouraging solid marriages, she rallied her wedding industry friends together to create the ultimate wedding experience: a perfectly planned “wedding” where brides- and grooms-to-be could actually see vendors in action.
The inaugural event was a hit, and it became an annual event in Atlanta. Callie has since been joined by an amazing team of people who have helped bring The Big Fake Wedding to cities across the country.
The Team
Callie Murray
Founder
Callie started The Big Fake Wedding (then called The NotWedding) in 2008. After eight years of growing both the business and her family (they’ve welcomed three little girls in that time!), she has moved from her title as Owner to Founder. Callie is excited to pass The Big Fake Wedding along to the stewardship of a couple who will continue to expand upon its reach and effect. Callie is now the Community Manager at Plywood People, doing what she does best: connecting people.
Jennifer Ammons
CEO
Jennifer has been near and dear to our hearts for quite sometime, as we helped her pull off a surprise wedding for her groom! Now, she and her husband are the proud, new owners of The Big Fake Wedding. With their experience in growing and expanding business internationally, they make the perfect team to carry out our vision and mission. We are thrilled to have our team grow with the addition of her, Brian, and their son Emerson!
Austin Hubbard
VP of Sales
Austin has been on our team since way back in The NotWedding days, so she knows the industry like a pro. Austin is in charge of bringing on stellar vendors in a number of our cities, as well as managing our incredible sales team. She is also overseeing our Vendor Network. Austin and her husband live in Columbia, SC with their two little boys Hamp and Hayes and twin girls, Noah and Wells!
Johna Castro
Marketing Director
Johna manages our Media Partners, the blog, social media, and all things marketing. She’s basically a walking billboard for The Big Fake Wedding, since that is where she and her husband met! Johna is fantastic with the behind-the-scene details, but she is also a total extrovert, so send her a note to say hi!
Landrum Sitten
Director of Production
Landrum scores super-high as an extrovert and synergist on personality tests, so it’s no coincidence that she is energized by people and conversations. Producing so many events is not for the faint of heart, but Landrum takes on the challenge like a champ – all while making best friends with our vendors. Landrum is also great at making people feel cared for, so don’t be surprised if sweet snail mail shows up at your door!
Julia Ward
Director of Operations
Once upon a time, Julia was a summer intern for The Big Fake Wedding. She won our hearts over and we just had to have her back on the team. With her infectious energy, we are positive that she would win your heart too. Julia manages the day-to-day details that make The Big Fake Wedding go-round, anything from our travel to our website. If you reach out to us, chances are she will be the first person you speak to.
Ashleymae Elmore
Production Manager
Say hello to Ashleymae – a California girl who now calls Georgia home. If her love for escape rooms gives you any indication, she’s always up for an adventure. One of Ashley’s main strengths is woo (winning others over), so she makes the perfect Production Manager. While she isn’t making fake weddings happen, she loves long boarding and going to the movies with her new husband!
Jamie Bohlin
Production Manager
Jamie started on our team back in The NotWedding days after some befriending and persistence with the founder, Callie Murray, over email, phone and eventually in person as she worked to bring bring The NotWedding to the north east, specifically Cape Cod. Jamie owns a successful wedding planning business on the Cape, but loves being a part of The Big Fake Wedding team where she gets the chance to produce events all over the country, gain new wedding industry friendors and work with an amazing team of talented ladies!
Callie Rogers
Production Manager
Callie’s love for weddings came early, though it’s hard to say if it was the bride themed third birthday party or planning her sixth grade teacher’s wedding during recess. As production manager, she combines her born-to-celebrate personality with her equal passion for encouraging and leading others. Off the clock, you’ll find Callie outside of Houston, Texas, living life with her husband Cason and their two littles, Shepherd and Ivy or running her diaper bag line, MamaLou. Is there anything this gal can’t do?!
Afton Schipper
Account Executive
Say hi to Afton, our resident sales gal! Afton is a southern gal living in Colorado and loves spending time with the people she loves and being outside to enjoy as much Colorado sunshine as one person can handle! Her sweet spirit will be sure to win you over within minutes of meeting!
Katie Maxham
Account Executive
Meet Katie, the newest member of our sales squad! This girl is an activator. Be warned, if you’re sitting on the sidelines during a party she’ll have you leading a conga line and romping around on the dance floor in record time. Some of her favorite things include; reading books (you can find at least two in her bag at all times), sunshine, a good cheeseburger, traveling to new places, and holding small animals (bunnies, birds, you name it). Her confident and energetic spirit coupled with her love for people make her an easy addition to our family.
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The Big Fake Wedding® is a bridal show alternative complete with an emotional vow renewal ceremony, light bites and a dance-party reception. "Wedding guests" are brides- and grooms-to-be who get to truly experience the wedding vendors in action.