gathering (noun):
the intentional act of bringing people, things & energies together for connection, celebration, community, meaning & shared memorable experiences.
before we gather, let us introduce ourselves
meet the gathering trailer
The Gathering Trailer is a beautifully restored vintage horse trailer, thoughtfully reimagined as a mobile cocktail bar and coffee shop to bring charm, warmth, and character to modern gatherings. This is not just another trailer though. The Gathering Trailer was created to offer a unique experience. A place where people naturally come together. A space that feels welcoming, elevated, and intentionally designed. A gathering point that becomes part of the story of your event. We are excited to bring our elevated dry hire mobile bar services to gatherings in the Charlotte and surrounding areas!
the experience
This isn’t a cookie-cutter service. We work closely with each client to curate something unique, personal, and special for your event.
The Gathering Trailer offers an elevated, customizable experience, including:
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Garden-to-glass cocktails and mocktails featuring seasonal ingredients grown right from the garden
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Interchangeable décor walls and full styling support to match your event aesthetic
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Custom floral design using seasonal blooms or high-end silks
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Thoughtful design touches at every turn that bring warmth, character, and intention to every detail
Because the best gatherings aren’t just about the event. They’re about the little touches that make the experience memorable.
meet the founder
Hi, I’m Caitlin!
The heart behind The Gathering Trailer.
Bringing people together has always been at the center of my life. Hosting, cooking, styling spaces, and creating environments where people feel both cared for and inspired has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was raised by creative entrepreneurs and grew up around interior design, home building, and renovation projects, so thoughtful spaces and beautiful details were simply part of everyday life. I also have a deep love for gardening, cooking (I’m a chef at heart) and horses, so it only felt fitting that I would one day find myself restoring a 1960s trailer and hosting gatherings out of it.
For nearly two decades I built a career in Nashville working at the highest levels of the music industry, touring all over the world and helping produce experiences for artists and audiences across many different cultures. That work required managing every tiny detail while bringing creative visions to life. I bring that same mindset to The Gathering Trailer, every event is equal parts creativity and thoughtful logistics so everything runs smoothly and feels effortless for you and your guests. After years of adventures in the music industry, I was ready to trade the fast pace of touring and production schedules for wide open pastures and a slower, more intentional way of creating experiences. That’s where The Gathering Trailer was born.
What I love most about this work is that no two gatherings are the same. Each setup is thoughtfully styled to reflect the spirit of your event, your space, and the atmosphere you want to create. The trailer isn’t just something that shows up in the backyard, it becomes part of the experience. The Gathering Trailer brings together everything I adore: design, gardening, cocktails, coffee, hospitality, and creating elevated experiences that still feel warm and welcoming. Because if you’ve ever been to a great event, you know one thing is always true: everyone gathers at the bar.
My goal is to make that space not just functional, but beautiful, inviting, and memorable, a natural centerpiece for connection, conversation, and community. I look forward to creating something special with you.
our offerings
We bought a trailer verses a brick and mortar shop because they can be used for just about anything! Whether you are looking for a bar, coffee shop, or unique pop-up experience, we are here for it! Our hope is for the trailer to take on many more themes and lives than she already has prior to coming to join our family. Below are a few ways we can gather with you.
the gathering trailer
Our beautifully restored 1960s vintage horse trailer, thoughtfully reimagined as the heart of our mobile bar experience. She’s our staple and a charming centerpiece designed to bring people together, elevate gatherings, and create a memorable focal point at your event. Our mobile bar offers elevated cocktails, handcrafted mocktails, curated beer and wine selections, bubbly service, and full open bar options.
the sidecar bar
Small in footprint, big on experience. Our Sidecar Bars are our portable standalone setup, designed for indoor spaces, intimate gatherings, or events that need an additional bar location. Styled to match your celebration, it offers the same elevated service and custom feel as The Gathering Trailer.
the coffee shop
Our mobile coffee service features drip coffee, cold brew, espresso drinks, and matcha. Perfect for morning events, brunch gatherings, church and corporate functions, or wedding mornings, we bring a warm, welcoming coffee experience your guests will love.
tailored events
Looking for something different than cocktails & coffee? No worries! I love a good theme, and The Gathering Trailer can be styled to match any celebration. From birthdays, baby showers, wine nights, and charcuterie parties to tailgates, holiday gatherings, weddings, and corporate events, we work with you to create a custom experience that feels personal, creative, and memorable.
more love & add-ons
Every gathering is different, and the details are what make the experience feel truly special.
These optional add-ons allow you to personalize The Gathering Trailer even further and create something that feels uniquely yours.
themes & styling
While the trailer itself remains beautifully classic, we offer themed styling options to match the look and feel of your event. Whether you’re envisioning a clean all-white aesthetic, a vintage antique library vibe, a lush garden bar filled with greenery, a pink & blush sparkle party, or a more modern pub feel, we can bring it to life. Interchangeable back walls, lighting, and styling elements allow us to shift the look and create a more customized experience.
Each package includes your choice of a stylized back wall and basic décor elements. For those wanting to elevate the experience, we offer elevated styling for all walls and supporting pieces from our Decor Closet.
florals & greenery
No gathering feels complete without flowers & plants! Can I get an amen? We offer custom arrangements for the trailer using seasonal flowers including wild flowers, anemone, ranunculus, dahlia, peonies, roses, hydrangeas, eucalyptus, pampas, and more. Many are sourced from our own cut flower garden on our land. We also have a large collection of silk flower arrangements and over 50 house plants available for styling. We can gladly just incorporate flowers from your florist if that is your preference though, no problem!
the "decor closet"
The Decor Closet is one of the heart pieces of The Gathering Trailer. Built over years of collecting, travel, and many hours spent wandering antique shops and estate sales, this curated collection includes one-of-a-kind vintage finds, antique furniture, old trunks, lamps, candlesticks, vases, decorative planters, unique styling pieces, and even a greenhouse full of decorative house plants.
Many of the styled experiences and themed setups we offer are created using pieces from this collection. For those who want to elevate their event even further, clients also have the option to incorporate additional pieces from the Decor Closet to create a more layered, personalized, and beautifully styled gathering.
Explore some of our custom back wall elevated setups below! All themes are thoughtfully designed and built by Caitlin to create distinct and memorable gathering spaces.
