Staff Focus: Savannah Shugart, Chattanooga Director of Private Events

If you want to say “I do” at Common House Chattanooga, Savannah Shugart is the person you want to talk to. Since May 2023, she’s been serving as the Director of Private Events for our Chattanooga House. We recently met up for coffee in the Dining Room to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to be an event planner and hear how her first few months in the role have been going. 

Common House is a great place to work, work out, or socialize. But it also serves as an elegant event space and wedding venue that can comfortably accommodate 300+ guests. People are drawn to the vibrant outdoor spaces that feel like a hidden oasis in the heart of the city, as well as the historic, picturesque interiors where every room has its own distinct character, like Ruby Hall.

“Ruby Hall is fun because people can transform that room in so many different ways,” Savannah explains.  “We'll make the space what you want, but it still has such unique aspects in there, like the stage, and you still get the historical feel of the building, the tall ceilings, and the exposed wood.”

Whether you’re planning your wedding here or hosting another type of private event, Savannah is passionate about helping the process go smoothly. “I love getting to meet all the new people. There are always so many different people planning so many different types of events,” Savannah says. “It's fun to meet them, learn about their event, and then put all the details together and see it come to life. It's like a multi-step process, but I love all of it.”

With a wedding practically every weekend – and sometimes two – Savannah is a pro at project management. Since graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, she’s been working in events in some form or fashion. She knows how to operate with one eye on her inbox and the other on the calendar. 

“Monday is admin day. I catch up on lots of emails from the weekend and then schedule out the rest of my week with meetings and phone calls and due dates for events. It’s lots of ‘This headcount’s due on this day, this menu’s due on this day,’ and making sure people actually send me the info I need. Lots of emails. Lots and lots of emails.”

Savannah knows the joy and stress that comes with planning a wedding. A year ago, she was planning her own. “My grandparents have a 1,200-acre farm in Manchester. I grew up there, showing pigs, sheep, and cows and lots of 4H agriculture stuff. So we got married on the farm, which was really special.”

So when she’s not planning events at Common House, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and chauffeuring their dog, Max, around town. “He is like my fur child. I love him so much. Pretty much every weekend looks like taking the dog for a walk or a hike, maybe a trip to Lowe's. And we get him treats from Starbucks. You know, he’s just living his best life.” 

Being the Director of Private Events means Savannah is always looking ahead. It may be August and 90 degrees outside, but Savannah’s already thinking about fall and holiday parties. “It’s a juggling act, for sure. Summer has been busy, but fall is really picking up.” So, if you’re looking for the perfect place to tie the knot or host a fun party, what are you waiting for? You can reach Savannah at savannah.shugart@commonhouse.com to get the process started.