The Company
The Event Cottage is an event planning and styling company creating breathtaking celebrations with a signature elegance that feels effortlessly extraordinary. We believe every event should be a reflection of your story — filled with love, beauty, and a little magic.
It all begins with your story. During our initial consultation, we get to know you—your style, your vision, and the details that matter most. From there, we design events that mirror who you are and reflect everything you love, creating spaces that feel both personal and unforgettable.
At The Event Cottage, our clients are never just clients—they’re our heart. As you journey toward your Big Day (and beyond), we’re by your side with one mission: to bring your dreams to life. And when the celebration ends, we love nothing more than welcoming you into our extended Cottage family.
Exceptional service is at our core. We’re invested in every detail—from timelines and budgets to color palettes and candlelight. We ensure your planning experience is as smooth and joyful as the celebration itself.
Because at the end of the day, it’s the details that create the magic. Every element we place is carefully curated, expertly styled, and thoughtfully designed to transform your venue into a storybook setting— where the wonder and joy of your love come to life on every page.​
This is our love letter to you.
About Rachael
Rachael Shackelford is an Emmy® Award-winning cable news producer, seasoned communications strategist, and founder of The Event Cottage.
Before launching The Event Cottage, Rachael spent nearly a decade at CNN, producing the biggest news stories of a generation. She produced high-profile shows including State of the Union and The Situation Room, covered the U.S. Supreme Court, Presidential Elections, and served as a weekend White House producer during the Obama Administration.
​
Her expertise also extends to strategic communications and public relations. Rachael served as a Presidential Appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration, where she led national communications efforts as Associate Administrator for Public
Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration and as Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications and Public Liaison at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Earlier in her career, Rachael worked at top public affairs firms in Washington, D.C., crafting media strategies for nonprofit, corporate, and federal clients, including Fortune 100 companies. She coordinated national and local broadcast placements and served as a media liaison at conferences and events nationwide.
​
With a foundation in media, public relations, and federal leadership, Rachael brings a rare blend of logistical precision, storytelling expertise, and aesthetic vision to every event she curates. She approaches each experience with a producer’s mindset—choreographing seamless moments, managing logistics with intention, and designing every detail around her clients’ unique vision of perfection. For corporate clients, her public relations background ensures events align with strategic messaging and brand goals. Whether it's a wedding, a launch, or a celebration, Rachael transforms milestone moments into breathtaking productions, making her clients the stars of their own beautifully curated stories.
​
Rachael holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Florida A&M University and a master's in International Affairs from the Georgia Institute of Technology's Sam Nunn School of International Affairs.