We recently connected with Regina Galiyeva and have shared our conversation below.

Regina, appreciate you joining us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was having to relocate out of state twice due to family needs. Neither move was my choice, but I had to put family first. Meanwhile, my business remained in Las Vegas—which, in the wedding planning industry, made things incredibly difficult. This is a personal, hands-on profession where being local matters.

During my first move, my child was under two. I traveled back for every event—often with my baby—while managing the business alone. Being a working mother is already tough, but doing it without help, on the road, with a toddler, took a serious toll. The financial burden was heavy, and unfortunately, it pushed the business into debt.

When we moved back to Las Vegas, I focused on rebuilding—networking and reconnecting with the community. But just three years later, I had to relocate again. This time, I took a different approach. I invested in training a local team and learned how to manage and trust others with my clients’ most special days. It wasn’t easy, but it allowed me to scale, build a loyal team, and continue running my business remotely. That challenge ultimately became a turning point in my growth as both a business owner and a leader.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always been a go-getter—someone driven by action, creativity, and heart. From selling apples at age 8 to competing in international dance sport as a teen, I was raised with a deep respect for discipline, family, and business. That early exposure to the beauty and energy of ballroom and Latin dance competitions shaped my love for events that bring people together through elegance and emotion. When I moved to Las Vegas, I discovered the world of weddings through a coordination and design course at TISOH, and it lit a fire in me. I started working in a chapel, but quickly realized I was meant to build something of my own—and I’ve never looked back.

Today, I plan and design weddings that are more than beautiful—they’re unforgettable. With my background in performance, I believe every event should feel like a curated experience, not just a checklist. My team and I don’t just organize weddings; we create moments people remember forever. I’m incredibly proud of the loyal, professional team I’ve built and the trust we’ve earned from our clients. What sets us apart is the passion behind every detail—and our commitment to turning each celebration into something truly magical.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the biggest tests of my resilience came when I relocated to Hawaii. At the time, I was still a new business owner with some personal savings, but no real blueprint for what was ahead. My business remained based in Las Vegas, so I had to fund every trip back and forth for events out of my own pocket. More than that, the entire business—operations, marketing, team costs—was being supported by my personal funds and savings. At the same time, I was still responsible for providing for my family.

It quickly became clear that being away from where I truly belonged professionally was taking a huge toll. I found myself in debt—going from having a financial cushion to feeling like I was drowning. I had to make some serious decisions and take a detour I never planned on. I reevaluated how I was running things, learned to work smarter, and slowly but surely rebuilt from the ground up. Through persistence and grit, I revived the business, paid off the debt, and replenished my savings—which are now invested and working for me. That chapter taught me that resilience is about more than just endurance—it’s about trusting yourself to pivot, adapt, and create something even stronger after the storm.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One important lesson I’ve come to value is that being truly helpful sometimes means setting clear boundaries. In our eagerness to support and accommodate, we’ve occasionally said yes to opportunities that didn’t quite align with our process or strengths. There were moments—like a windy afternoon with floating balloons or an unexpectedly tricky outdoor setup—where expectations expanded beyond the scope we initially agreed upon. These experiences reminded us how important it is to align clearly with clients and vendors from the start, ensuring we can bring our best to every celebration.

These experiences taught us that trying to meet clients halfway at the expense of our proven process can do more harm than good. Our business thrives when we’re trusted to lead with our full-service approach. Now, we’re much more intentional about client alignment, setting clear boundaries, and staying true to how we work best. Not every client is the right fit—and that’s more than okay. It’s essential.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vegasweddingsplanner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vegasweddingsplanner
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginagaliyeva/
• Other: Since we offer services in Las Vegas, Hawaii, and nationwide, we created an umbrella brand called Galiyeva Experience that shares our portfolio and experiences: https://galiyevaexperience.my.canva.site/

Image Credits

CH Photographer, Zoltan Wedding Photography