Amanda Holder is the owner and lead designer of Amanda Holder Events. Prior to her wedding and event planning business, Amanda spent almost 15 years as a corporate event planner for organizations such as the PGA TOUR, IMG Worldwide, NBC television, CBS television, and REC Solar. The first wedding she ever planned was for NBC on live television at five o’clock in the morning, and she's been hooked ever since! Now in her 7th year of business, with more than 100 weddings under her belt, her team has grown to 10. She's founder of The Wedding Space and SLO Wedding Planners, member of Central Coast Wedding Professionals, The Wedding Standard, and various other industry organizations, and has been honored with the award for Best Wedding Planner in San Luis Obispo County by the folks at California Wedding Day, and was nominated again in 2019 and 2020.
What inspired you to enter the wedding industry?
I started my career in event planning as a tournament assistant for the season opening event of the PGA TOUR in Maui. That really sparked something in me. I was just completely fascinated by all the year-round hard work that went into a one-week event. So, event planning became an important aspect of any job I had after that. After 10 years in corporate marketing and events, and almost five years with my last company, I just had enough of the corporate grind and decided to start my own business. I had a few colleagues who were getting married at the time and had asked me to help plan and coordinate their weddings, and I realized pretty quickly that was the direction I wanted to go.
Why did you start Amanda Holder Events?
I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart! So when I was just completely burnt out from almost 15 years in the corporate world, I wanted to feel inspired, fulfilled, and creative again. I've always been driven by a love of what I do. And, I love weddings! There’s something pretty special about planning and coordinating the most important day of someone’s life.
If you could change one thing about the weddings and special events industry, what would it be?
More cooperation and collaboration among vendors in the same category. They say a rising tide lifts all ships, right? We’ve been instrumental in a shift in our local wedding industry to just really love and support each other and lift each other up. We call it “coopetition.”
How does using Aisle Planner help you deliver the client experience you want to?
Oh, gosh…Aisle Planner has been life changing for me, my team, and our clients and vendors. Having everything in one place makes planning so much easier. One of our goals is to take the stress out of planning for our clients and having 100% visibility in AP makes it easy.
What's your favorite Aisle Planner feature?
The seating tool, for sure. It makes a very stressful part of the planning process much easier for our clients. And, it’s super helpful to be able to download it as a PDF for the caterer and calligrapher.
If you weren't the Owner of Amanda Holder Events, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?
I’d probably be running a tournament for the PGA TOUR or running a non-profit for animals.
What are three things you never show up without on event day?
My emergency kit, my tool kit, a kimono. The first two are for obvious reasons, and the third has kind of become my signature. Our team wears all black on a wedding day, so the kimono kicks it up a notch.
What’s your personal philosophy on becoming a great wedding and event planner?
To love and serve: my staff, our clients, and our vendors. If that’s the purpose, the rest is easy.
What’s your trademark in the client or event experience?
My friends and colleagues call me the GSD because I “Get Shit Done.” So, I guess that would be our trademark. We GSD.
Is there anything you're particularly excited about working on this year?
Well, we recently expanded our team to 10 and have 26 weddings on the books, so we’re looking forward to an awesome team and a full schedule.
Just for fun
Three things you wouldn't board a plane without?
A pashmina, my AirPods, and a People magazine.
I’m dying to take a trip to…
Greece! I’m not sure why; I just want to go there and take it all in!
Dogs or cats?
Dogs! I have two: Liam and Bella. They're my babies.
If you owned a restaurant, what food would it serve?
Italian
What skill would you like to master?
Ballroom Dancing
What song do you know every word to?
Summertime by Will Smith
Favorite book of all time?
Probably my dad’s book, “Conversation with Peter.”
Non-work related hobbies?
Hiking, walking on the beach with my dogs, brunching with friends, traveling, adventuring in general.
On my days off you can find me…
With my dogs at Avila Dog Beach in Avila Beach, CA.
If you catch me out and about I’m always wearing…
Jeans, a tank top, a sweater, and flip flops. California born and bred.
Want to see more from Amanda and her team? Check out her website amandaholderevents.com!
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