We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Hudes recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I had the privilege of being the Wedding Planner for Wish Upon A Wedding, creating a Vow Renewal for a family with someone who had terminal cancer. The look in his eyes when he walked into the reception space after the emotional ceremony was one I will never forget. One of my favorite parts of being an Event Planner is witnessing people’s faces during this moment, but seeing and feeling their emotion, and later hearing his appreciation during the Thank You speech, was truly beautiful.
I can’t say enough about the team members who donated their services and time for them to be able to have this special day. Between the gorgeous florals and linen, the entertainment, the hair and makeup, the delicious favors and baked goods, the furniture rentals, and the custom live painting, everyone “brought it.”
Sadly, when the time came and the groom passed, the bride contacted me to let me know, and even then, she thanked me for creating that memorable day for them. If that doesn’t mean something…
Amanda, 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?
The only school I applied to was the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC – I just knew from a young child that I had to graduate from the prestigious design school. While attending, and post graduation, I worked with world-renowned fashion designers and in the corporate marketing and product development sectors of fashion and beauty major brands. A few years later, I moved out of the corporate fashion world and into a corporate management role, supervising and managing teams and multiple projects occurring simultaneously, planning all events, and creating warm and inviting environments. It was then that I realized I, unlike many, did not get stressed when planning events, and that I could use my expertise and experience to help other busy women plan their events and help them look and feel their best in the process. Combining the nutrition business I had begun while in college, later getting certified as a Health Counselor, with my event planning and management experience, I created “Smiling Through Chaos,” focusing on helping clients smile through it all and creating more “happy” in the lives of so many.
I founded Smiling Through Chaos to help people celebrate life, combining my many areas of expertise into one business. Smiling Through Chaos is known for always delivering seamlessly, being on top of every detail, providing professionalism, reliability, quality work and service, and providing customized and creative ideas while exuding genuine happiness and an infectious enthusiasm for life.
Smiling Through Chaos is a relationship-focused business, and my team and I are what the brand says – Smiling Through Chaos. With a background in fashion and communications, I utilize my creative skills to make every event unique to that specific client. And I use my passion for giving back to contribute to charities with a focus on creating a happier, healthier future.
I have humbly had the honor of writing an Amazon Bestselling Book, “Smiling Through The Chaos Of Wedding Planning” and I was a contributing author to the 2020 Bestselling Book, “1 Habit For Entrepreneurial Success.” Smiling Through Chaos has been recognized as one of the “Best 13 Wedding Planners in New York” by wezoree, a Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award Winner 7 years in a row 2017-2023, and The Knot 2021, 2022, and 2023 Best of Weddings Awards.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
As someone who has gone through a lot in relationships personally, some would feel shame as a Wedding Planner, but I view it as a strength because I am able to keep focus on helping my clients continue to grow their relationship while I help take stress away from them while planning their big day. I remember a client telling me that they would have a full week over the holiday break to get a lot done, and when they asked me what they could do, I told them to go on dates and focus on their relationship because I would handle what needed to be done for their wedding. The relief I heard in their voices said it all. We choose what we grow and learn from and what we choose to harp on. Choose wisely.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Smiling Through Chaos is not just a brand, it’s a lifestyle. It’s about celebrating life, feeling empowered and confident, and creating the happiest life possible. If I was just planning events, I wouldn’t feel nearly as fulfilled as knowing I am truly helping people celebrate life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smilingthroughchaos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smilingthroughchaos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smilingthroughchaos
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandahudes/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl97USTRb-B48fZuqWFSOjA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/smiling-through-chaos-scotch-plains?
Image Credits
1 (top left) – Ben Lau Photography 2 (top right) – Jeff Tisman Photography 3 (bottom left below with white chuppah) – Mark Latham Photography 4 (bottom right with stars) – Andy Foster Photography (I added the one with his name on it) 5 (top left with ombre table) – Live Picture Studios 6 (top right) – Noor K Photography 7 (bottom left) – Villetto Photography 8 (bottom right) – Rebecca Ferrier Photography (Amanda and Adria from Smiling Through Chaos)