The Entertainer, a 30-year-old, Tahoe-based wedding equipment rental and event coordinating service, was recently purchased by Jim and Valerie Prather of Gardnerville and relocated to Carson Valley.
The Prathers have been residents of Gardnerville for 14 years and hope to continue the Entertainer's long-standing success here in the Valley.
"I'm passionate about making it their (the clients) day," said Valerie Prather. "I want the wedding to project their personality."
She said she has an extensive history in interior decoration and that designing weddings comes naturally to her. Her husband owned and operated a large landscaping company for 22 years, and is ready for something different.
"It's a nice change," Jim Prather said. "We've always enjoyed entertaining and doing parties around here for our friends. We might as well make a business out of it and help people with their events."
Helping their parents with the new business are the couple's two sons Steve and Scott Prather and their two daughter-in-laws Michelle and Stephanie Prather. Steve and Michelle live in the Valley. Scott and Stephanie live in Idaho but plan to move back to help with the new business.
Valerie Prather said the best thing about their company, besides being family-owned and operated, is that now people in Minden and Gardnerville don't have to look outside Carson Valley to rent wedding equipment.
The Entertainer can supply a 500-person wedding with everything from tables and chairs to a portable bar and a champagne fountain.
Valerie Prather said the company isn't merely a rental service. She said she is involved from day one, from the first discussion of a wedding until its final fruition, helping plan and coordinate the event.
The Entertainer will be participating in the Genoa Bridal Fair Nov. 3.
For more information, call 265-0207
-- Scott Neuffer can be reached at sneuffer@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 217.
