Since 2003, two cable TV reality programs have become popular as they deal with the agony and ecstasy of wedding planning, both for the happy couple as well as the wedding party, parents, family, and the wedding planner, if one has been hired. Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? and Bridezilla can be viewed on Style Network and Women’s Entertainment TV respectively, and at times they illustrate the nightmare of all that can go wrong if you don’t hire professionals with a commitment to customer service.

Wayne Crowe, Manager of Americ Rentals, and Dana Murabito, Americ’s head wedding consultant, put in countless hours each week, (especially during the upcoming summer wedding season), to see to it that "wedding woes" do not occur on their watch. Between them they have seventeen years experience in helping brides plan and actually experience their dream wedding at an affordable price. They must be delivering on their promise, as last year their shop was involved in renting equipment and consulting for more than 300 weddings.

Interviewing these folks was especially fun for me, as I spent 14 years myself in catering and have my own war stories, which made Wayne chuckle and nod his head in knowing agreement. I also will debut as "the mother of the groom" at my Seattle son’s wedding in May, and am grateful that the lion’s share of planning the festivities are the responsibility of my lovely and capable daughter-in-law-to-be, who thankfully does not have a Bridezilla bone in her body.

I asked Wayne directly, "If my son’s wedding were happening here in Athens, why should he and his bride pick Americ to handle their rental and wedding planning needs?" He answered, "There are a million and one rental companies out there, and they are competitively priced, but I spend between 60 and 80 hours a week making sure our customer service is the best, and our equipment is in excellent shape." Meeting the needs of the customer, especially for something as special as a wedding, truly is a passion with this guy.

Americ enjoys a goodly amount of repeat business as well as referrals, and offers everything that could be needed or desired for traditional as well as non-traditional weddings, from trendy tableware to inflatable slides and theme wedding equipment. They have a number of vetted bridal consultants, florists, caterers, DJs, photographers, and videographers that are their tried and true partners. Wayne means it when he says, "I will not recommend anyone that I would not have work for me in my own home."

As for Americ’s equipment inventory, there is a full line of metal candelabras, arches, stands and bases in brass, white and wrought iron. There are water, chocolate and champagne fountains, silver chafing dishes and samovars, and faux marble pedestals and fencing. Silk flower arrangements in numerous colors are available. The tents used for outdoor weddings are framed, and have no pole in the center.

They are also guaranteed to be completely clean inside and out before the event, and there is free delivery and tent set up for a wedding within the radius of 20 miles. There are numerous sizes and shapes of tables, as well as choices in size and style of seating.

Silverware, china, glassware, barware and linen are upgraded yearly to accommodate the desire for the latest trends in style and color, a recent example being the addition of the hugely popular bone colored square shaped plates. Traditional round gold rimmed china is of course available as well. Currently there is a demand for bright colors in linens, specifically fuchsia and lime green, and if Americ doesn’t carry a color in stock, they’ll find it.

Soon Americ will be offering "Go Green Specials," which reflect a commitment to help weddings be environmentally friendly and keep plastic out of landfills. Specially priced packages can make it possible to have the elegance of china, glassware and flatware for nearly the same price as plastic items.

Call Wayne or Dana today at 256.233.5747 to get the help you need for the wedding of your dreams.