We recently connected with Taylor Anne Wade and have shared our conversation below.

Taylor Anne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.

I do! Giving back to the community is something very close to my heart and a part of who I am, so I thought, why should that not have a part in my own company?!

I donate 10% of my revenue from each client booked to an organization close to their hearts! If the clients have a hard time choosing, I have an organization that I have seen make an impact firsthand, that we will donate too! Many of my clients are starting a new chapter in their lives as either married couples (Weddings), bringing in a new family member into the world (Baby Showers), etc and with the amount of money being involved in these events I want to take part of that and be a part of these clients first step in this new chapter, making a difference!

Taylor Anne, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Taylor Anne, and I’m the proud owner of Taken Away Events. With over 7 years of experience in event planning, my journey began in the world of radio and television, where I organized large-scale conferences across the country. When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, it redirected my path into the wedding industry—a shift that allowed me to fully embrace my passion for creating unforgettable events of all kinds.

At Taken Away Events, we offer a range of services, including Full Planning, Partial Planning, and Day-Of coordination for weddings, corporate events, baby showers, birthday parties, engagements, sponsorship galas, and more. We cater to diverse event needs and strive to make every event personalized and seamless.

What truly sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to being my clients’ advocate. I understand that planning an event can be overwhelming, especially when you have to also juggle a full time job and maybe kids, etc. I make it my mission to bring my clients’ visions to life, ensuring their ideas are executed flawlessly, even when they can’t be present.

I’m particularly proud of the cross-cultural experiences I’ve gained throughout my career. Traveling has blessed me with the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures, and I’ve had the honor of working with a variety of traditions from places like India, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, Jordan, Syria, Vietnam, Philippines , St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, USA (Southern & Northern) and beyond!! This diversity allows me to create events that are not only beautiful but deeply meaningful for my clients.

In the end, my greatest reward is knowing I’ve played a role in creating memories that will last a lifetime. I’m always excited to learn more and incorporate new traditions into my work. For me, event planning is not just about logistics—it’s about connection, celebration, and turning dreams into reality.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most memorable moments that highlights my resilience happened two years ago with a Jordanian couple’s wedding. In their culture and religion, weddings are hosted differently than traditional Western receptions, and for this couple, they had two separate ballrooms—one for men and one for women.

Two days before their wedding, during our rehearsal, the bride received heartbreaking news that her DJ’s brother had passed away, and they would no longer be able to perform. With the unique needs of their event and the importance of cultural understanding, finding a replacement DJ in that short time was nearly impossible.

Faced with this unexpected challenge, I knew I couldn’t let the bride and groom down. I decided to step up and take on the role of DJ myself, even though I had never done anything like it before. I worked closely with the bride, who was incredibly organized, to create playlists and plan the timing for key moments like the dances. The most challenging part was that I had to simultaneously play music in both ballrooms, as well as in the common lobby area. But with careful planning and determination, we made it work.

Despite the emotional weight of the situation, the bride’s understanding and patience, along with our teamwork, helped make the day a success. This experience taught me the importance of staying calm and adaptable under pressure. It also showed me that, no matter what unforeseen challenges arise, I will always find a way to make things work for my clients.

This moment reinforced that resilience in event planning isn’t just about handling the perfect moments—it’s about navigating the unexpected with grace and determination.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What’s helped me build my reputation is my unique path into the industry and my commitment to continuous learning. Unlike many in this field who enter event planning after planning their own weddings, I started in corporate events, working with big-name businesses and traveling across the country for conferences. My introduction to weddings came when a planner needed help for an event, and that one opportunity turned into many. I caught the bug for wedding planning and knew that if I wanted to excel, I needed to immerse myself in every aspect of the industry.

I volunteered to work with as many established planners as possible, carefully choosing mentors who I admired and wanted to learn from. I was intentional about not just jumping into the deep end with my own clients—I wanted to learn under others first so I could refine my skills. I even spent several years working at a venue, which gave me invaluable insights into the needs of vendors and helped me understand the “why” behind rules and regulations. That experience has allowed me to better communicate and advocate for both my clients and the vendors I work with.

Even now, with my own company, I never stop learning. I’ve been fortunate to work under an established planner who manages events for the Kentucky Derby and high-profile clientele. This diversity of experience, from small-town weddings to well-known, high-stake events, has been crucial in shaping my approach and building my reputation.

Clients trust me because they know I’ve taken the time to master every aspect of event planning. My commitment to learning, along with my hands-on approach and ability to adapt, has allowed me to build a strong, trusted brand within the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.takenawayevents.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takenawayevents/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takenawayevents
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/taken-away-events

Image Credits

Hallie Noel Photography

Jacqueline Davison Photography

Wedding Photo House by Dina Chmut