meet the PEOPLE
behind the designs
As a husband and wife team, we've been in your shoes and know exactly how overwhelming planning a wedding can be. Our goal is to take the weight off your shoulders, eliminating the need to source multiple vendors, navigate countless mass produced options, or do it yourself.
Emily's story
I’m Emily, the creative heart behind Something Borrowed. I’m a mom of two, a lifelong Rhode Islander, and just a few years ago, I was working a very corporate job before following a pull I couldn’t ignore. What started as crafting wooden signs for local families slowly turned into a full-time career in the wedding industry.
My love for weddings runs deep. My mom and grandmother are lifelong florists, and some of my favorite childhood memories are tagging along on their wedding deliveries. Watching a space come together and seeing all the people someone loves in one room for one unforgettable night sparked something in me early on. She showed me that you could build something meaningful from the ground up, and that lesson stuck.
Today, I get to create thoughtful details for couples who care deeply about their celebration and the experience they’re giving their guests. I love collaborating with fellow creatives and bringing ideas to life in a way that feels personal, intentional, and just a little elevated.
When I’m not working, you can find me spending time with our kids, listening to Taylor Swift, scrolling TikTok for new recipes, or catching up on my favorite shows. I’m proudly a little extra, and I love couples who bring that same energy to their day.
Derek's story
On the other side of Something Borrowed is my husband, Derek. You may recognize him from our Instagram, usually carrying something heavy or making the impossible look easy.
While weddings weren’t originally part of his plan, Derek quickly realized that every chapter of his career helped prepare him for this one. His background in woodworking, years spent at a commercial signage company mastering tools and materials, and time working as a painter all come together in the custom builds and installations we create today. In 2022, he left his full-time job to join Something Borrowed, and discovered a true love for bringing designs to life with his hands.
Outside of the business, Derek is a devoted husband and dad, a lifelong New England sports fan, a gamer, and very serious about grilling the perfect steak.
His favorite moment is wedding day, when he can finally step back, take it all in, and see how every detail comes together to create something truly special.
kelsey
In 2025, we brought on Kelsey as our Studio Operations Assistant. Kelsey keeps everything behind the scenes running smoothly, from managing logistics and client communication to helping launch our semi-custom invitation collection.
With her industry experience and eye for detail, she ensures every couple’s experience is seamless from start to finish. Kelsey lives in Connecticut with her family and was Emily's first mentee in 2023.
STUDIO OPERATIONS ASSISTANT
We can't deliver a wedding without stopping at one of our favorite restaurants for an appetizer to go - there's nothing like post delivery mozzarella sticks, am I right?!
We're people first, always. Our client and vendor partnerships are the heart of our work and we'll always go above and beyond to exceed expectations.
Our wedding day tool kit includes more than you could imagine, including extra paint to touch up our pieces on the spot.
We were so sure that we would get married one day that we picked our wedding date 2 weeks into dating - and stuck to it four years later.
We will obsess over the right shade of acrylic or paint to get it exactly right. We don't settle around here!
We first met working together..Derek wrote up Emily for being on her phone at work (some things never change)
We're always looking for a new TV show recommendation - true crime is our jam.
The Vermont countryside is one of our favorite places to visit.
Family traditions are important to us, whether they're our own or yours.
If you're asking our opinion...
In
- Personal touches
- Prioritizing guest experience
- Intentional design choices
- Vendors who become your friends
- Quality > Quantity
- Coastal wedding venues
- Honoring family traditions, while making your own new ones
Out
- Mass produced details
- Focusing on what's trendy
- DIYing beyond your comfort level
- Stressing over wedding details
- Cutting corners to get the job done
- Mismatched fonts
- Having family & friends help set up your wedding decor