Meet the Team

Emily Smith

Owner

Emily Smith is the driving force behind Bluegrass Event Planning and Rentals, blending creativity and expertise to craft stunning floral designs and thoughtfully curated tablescapes.

Emily holds a Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism from the University of Kentucky and a Master's Degree in Business from Murray State University. Her education, combined with years of hands-on experience, allows her to seamlessly blend business acumen with artistic design, ensuring every event is executed with precision and style.

Beyond her work, Emily is deeply involved in the Paducah community. She is a proud member of the Paducah Chamber of Commerce, where she was named 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year, Paducah Professional Women, and the BNI Influence Chapter. She is an associate of The Charity League of Paducah and an alumna of Leadership Paducah Class #37. Additionally, Emily was proudly named as VUE Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 in 2023, recognizing outstanding young professionals in the local area.

Brittany Kollenberg

Lead Event Planner

Brittany Kollenberg is the Lead Event Planner at Bluegrass Event Planning & Rentals, where her passion for creating unforgettable experiences shines through every detail. Her love for the event industry began in 2019 when she joined the team as an intern, and since then, she has played a key role in planning and executing over 200 events at various venues.

Brittany holds a bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Murray State University, a background that enhances her ability to coordinate seamless events while fostering strong client relationships. She is an active member of Paducah Professional Women and serves as the Treasurer of The Charity League of Paducah. Her dedication and teamwork with Emily Smith earned them the title of The Vue Magazine’s Dynamic Duo.

With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Brittany ensures every event is both stunning and stress-free for clients.

Brecken Hayden

Marketing Director & Assistant Event Planner

Brecken Hayden graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2023 with a double major in Business Marketing and Business Management. She serves as the Marketing Director at Bluegrass Event Planning, handling brand management and overseeing all social media platforms. Brecken also assists in event planning alongside the rest of the team.

Emily is a professional event planner from Paducah, Kentucky. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management & Tourism from the University of Kentucky and a Master's in Business from Murray State University.

One of many highlights of Emily's event planning career was when she helped set up and decorate a wedding ceremony and reception involving thousands of roses at Lexington's famous Castle Post.

In her spare time, Emily enjoys traveling with her husband, Greg Smith. She loves spending time with her son, Brooks; dog, Beau; and family and friends.

Megan Ferriss

Inventory Specialist & Assistant Event Planner

Megan Ferriss graduated from Catawba College in 2025 with a degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Management. Originally from Charlotte, NC, she recently moved to Paducah, KY, where she started her career at Bluegrass Event Planning. As our Inventory Specialist, Megan tracks and manages the flow of our rental inventory, playing a key role in ensuring our events run smoothly and efficiently. She also contributes to event planning as part of the Bluegrass Team.