Weddings are full of big decisions, including the food, the venue, the dress, the music, and the photographer. A great florist is incredibly important, but there seem to be a few design elements that are sometimes overlooked until later in the planning process. One element is the table linens. Table linens can tie everything together and take a design to the next level. To learn more, we turned to Ashley Broockerd, founder of local specialty linen company, Citrus & Sage. Her first tip: linen size makes a difference. “With so many table sizes and shapes, it’s tough for a bride to know what linen fits each table.” Ashley works with planners, venues, and brides on their layout to make sure they are utilizing the right sizes for each table. Ashley also notes that “a little can go a long way.” She says that brides and planners have utilized her linens for head tables, cake tables, or cocktail tables, instead of all of their guest tables. “Its a fun and affordable way to add something different and really put a unique stamp on a wedding.” Ashley makes it clear that, “It’s okay to mix it up.”

Ashley’s designs are unique. She works directly with independent artists to create the designs for Citrus & Sage’s linens. As an event planner for the last 12 years, Ashley always had a drive to create something of her own. “Throughout my time planning events, I was working with rental companies across the country and began seeing a void in the products being offered.” In 2017, she made the decision to leave event planning and become a resource for other event planners. Ashley wanted “to offer a product and service that wasn’t currently available in Kansas City.” Her initial inventory designs are from a small handful of artists. “I started out selecting patterns I was drawn to, and putting them out there in the marketplace. I started to hear from planners on what their brides were looking for, and I would go out and find those styles.” She continues to monitor trends and feedback from brides, planners, and current customers to make sure she provides different styles and vibes, as well as the best possible service. 

Citrus & Sage Co. also takes advantage of the wonderfully philanthropic Kansas City community. Ashley has partnered with Rightfully Sewn, a non profit that provides seamstress training for at-risk women. When she started her business, Ashley knew that she wanted to produce a custom, unique, and quality product in a sustainable manner. She hired a manufacturing expert to help her navigate the new seas she was sailing, but eventually knew wanted something local in order to be able to see the samples and control the quality of her products. “I’d met Jennifer Lapka through one of my event planning clients and had been following the launch of Rightfully Sewn. I was unsure if they would take on my project because I was producing small quantities at first. It turns out their small batch production offering is a perfect fit for us. I visit their atelier in the Crossroads almost weekly, either delivering fabric or supplies, or picking up finished products.”

Jennifer Lapka said, “Part of Rightfully Sewn’s mission is to advance fashion designers to market with business acumen development and small batch production services. When we launched the latter, entrepreneurs of all types reached out to us to sew their pet projects, patented inventions for other industries, and more. While we typically refer those clients to other sewing resources so we can focus on fashion, we were quite taken by Ashley’s idea, personality, organizational skills, and gorgeous fabrics. In short, we knew we were signing up for a great partnership and we are excited to help her keep growing her business!” Ashley said, “It’s a blessing to have Rightfully Sewn in this community. Not only are they educating women by providing seamstress training, they are an invaluable resource to their clients with the content offered through their events, YouTube channel, and their presence throughout our community.”

Ashley and Citrus & Sage Co. are a great resource for choosing wedding day linens. Her final tip: “If you’re having trouble finding what you’re looking for, an inspiration photo is always helpful. Ask your linen supplier for a few samples and go to their studio to see and feel the linens in person. Share the samples with your florist, photographer, and other key wedding vendors so they have inspiration, too.”

citrusandsageco.com