Owner Michelle Boyle of Oregon Teardrop Rentals joined Outdoorsy relatively recently. “After years of enjoying my own personal camper, RVs, and travel trailers, I decided to get into the rental business as an expansion of my already successful and popular business, My Tiny House Village,” Michelle shares. “I heard the CEO of Outdoorsy on a podcast talking about the success their owners were having, so I thought I’d give their platform a try.”
Unfortunately, the events of 2020 have made getting this new addition up and running a lot tougher than it would normally be. “So far, I’ve only made a few hundred bucks,” she tells us. “It’s been really, really, tough to stay positive throughout the pandemic and the chaos.”
Despite this turn of events, Michelle has found a way to stay positive. Not only that, she’s found a way to turn negative circumstances on their head. “RV rental reservations were practically non-existent during the first part of the pandemic,” she explains. “We would have otherwise expected to be really busy! A friend brought my attention to a ‘pop-up elopement’ concept he’d seen on Pinterest. Wanting to stand apart from other RV rental companies, and thinkin’ it may be a unique opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade, the concept of Weddings on Wheels was born!”
Weddings on Wheels is an incredibly unique concept that allows couples to purchase an affordable wedding package that includes a teardrop trailer, a cake, flowers, and a photographer. These items are delivered to the outdoor location of the couple’s choice, and a small private wedding and photoshoot takes place. From there, the couple can choose to use the trailer to go on a road trip honeymoon.
Of course, Michelle wanted to be sure she was doing things right, so she turned to the pros. “I consulted with some wedding professionals, and they were excited to collaborate,” she tells us. “We also had a wedding photographer come in for a promotional photoshoot, which was so fun, and the local paper ran an article on our new little venture the following week.”
Luckily, things are looking up for Oregon Teardrop Rentals now. For one thing, Boyle is expanding her fleet: “I have two teardrops for rent currently—one in the queue for repairs, and a vintage RV going into the shop next week for a full rebuild prior to offering as a rental.” Additionally, the RV rental business is picking up as a whole, and with Weddings on Wheels up and running, we’re excited to see what the summer has to bring this fleet of trailers and their owner.
Michelle certainly has high hopes. “I hope my trailers get people outside, make them smile, help them learn how to vacation with less money, appreciate simple camping, and encourage them to spend time with their loved ones,” she tells us.
All About Michelle
Favorite morning beverage: “Coffee with creamer.”
Favorite campsite meal: “Hot dogs!”
Music you like to play on the radio: “Lady Gaga.”
Best game to play on the road or at your campsite: “Drink Whiskey (at the campsite of course).”
Favorite season: “Fall.”
Last photo you took: “An ocean view from my friend’s cliff-side house.”
What’s your Outdoorsy spirit animal? “Rabbit.”
If you could travel anywhere in an RV, where would you go? “The Grand Canyon.”
Editors Note: Weddings on Wheels was created in collaboration with various partners, including Crystal Genes (@crystalgenesphotography), NW Wedding Underground (@nwweddingunderground), Oregon Teardrop Rentals (@oregonteardroprentals), Alana Weintraub (@flowersbyalana), NW Confections (@nwconfections), Anna’s Bridal (@annasbridal), Rita Vinieris (@ritavinieris), Shelby Renee (@shelbyreneexoxo), Dylen and Shelby (@dylenandshelbypnw), Aero Teardrops (@aeroteardrops), and Mark Sharley Photography.
