We recently connected with Jessica Smith-presley and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

As a Wedding Planner, our team encounters certain crisis that, unfortunately, we cannot prepare for ahead of time.

Let me tell you, when the officiant didn’t show up for one of our weddings—what could have been absolute chaos turned into an unexpectedly beautiful moment for the family!

Picture it: everything was going according to plan. The venue was decorated, flowers were plush, the bride was glowing, the groom was beaming, and the guests were entering the building as the hostesses were being handed gifts for the couple and the ushers were seating the guests. We were set for a splendid weddinng day for our Glam Fam. All event professionals were accounted for except the officiant whom we’d called 45 minutes prior and he explained he was only 15 minutes away. However, by this time, he had not checked in with our team, the DJ nor the videography team had placed and tested his lapel mic and we were now only 20 minutes before the ceremony should begin.

My wedding planner senses start tingling. I knew something was off. I called the officiant again, but this time his phone went straight to voicemail— of course. This is not the time to panic, it’s time to notify the groom. This is *Events by Jes*, where we *Transform Visions Into Reality* and we pride ourslves on being the “Chaos Coordinator”! I threw on my “crisis management cape” and went into action. I rallied my team and started brainstorming immediate solutions. Within minutes, I had one of our team members calling our officiants listed on the approved vendor’s list and another searching for a backup officiant from a nearby church as I went to speak with the groom.

I quickly, keeping a smile on my face, walked into the groom’s suite, gathered the groom to discreetly let him know what was happening. You can imagine the looks on his face—pure shock. I asked if there was a family member who was an ordained minister who could step in for their officiant. The groom stated the bride’s cousin as well as an uncle, but in utter disgust of the officiant’s tardiness, he could not recall the name of the bride’s cousin.

I was abruptly alerted by one of the bridesmaids running into the groom’s room that our bride was now aware that the officiant was not on the premises. Although our beautiful bride was holding it together, as I walked into her bridal suite, I could see the worry in her eyes. My number one priority was to keep her calm. I asked her for the name of the cousin and uncle who were ordainined ministers and told her my team and I were working on a resolution. Her sister, the maid of honor blurted out the name of the cousin as another bridesmaid gave me the name of the uncle. I gave the bride and all the ladies instructions to go use the restroom and begin lining up as instructed during the Reherasal. I quickly grabbed the bridesmaid’s hand who knew of the uncle, led her down the stairs and asked her to point both gentlemen out to me.

I went to the cousin as he was closest to the back of the room, quietly and quickly asked him to step off to the side with me, explained the situation and cautiously uttered the ask, ” Would you mind stepping in as their officiant?” Before I could even let him know I had a copy of the script, he said, ” I would be honored.” My team member quickly grabbed the couple’s folder out of of my bag and retrieved the script for the couple. He had literally 3 minutesto review it before I informed the couple and the wedding party, “We are ready to go!”

I never told them couple who it was but the groom had a sneak peek as he was lined up as I slighly nudged the officiant in place and told him where to stand as we cued the DJ to begin teh music. With all of the happenings, we actually started the ceremony 8 minutes late – which is practically on time – in the wedding world! The best part? No one outside of the wedding party even knew what had happened! The couple had their perfect ceremony and the bride’s cousin created a very memorable and special ceremony by adding in some witty jokes and unrehearsed “I Do’s”.

Moral of the story? When chaos strikes, stay cool, calm and collected, trust the team and think outside of the box.

Guess who walked in during the “Kiss the Bride” moment in the ceremony? (it’s ok to laugh, we had a good one during the reception)

Jessica, 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?

I’m Jes, the proud Founder and Creative Director of Events by Jes, a company driven by passion and built on the belief that every event should be a reflection of your unique vision. My journey into the event planning world began in 2015, but the seeds were planted long before. As someone who has always loved bringing people together, from family gatherings to community events, I realized that my gift for organization and creativity could turn into a thriving business after working for a global company as a project manager and procurement specialized for sponsored events. With a background in English and Sociology, and a deep love for understanding people, I knew I could craft experiences that weren’t just events—they were moments to be remembered for a lifetime.

Planning weddings and events was a natural extension of my passion for helping people celebrate life’s most important moments. However, I worked for one of Atlanta’s interactive Bridal Shows for nearly 3 years before even developing the idea of becoming an entrepreneur. After orchestrating a few family and friends’ events and receiving glowing feedback, I knew it was time to take the leap and create Events by Jes. I took my years of creativity, organizational skills, and my personal approach to understanding each client’s dream and made them the foundation of my business. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible clients, transforming their visions into reality and earning several accolades for our work across the Southeast region of the United States.

At Events by Jes, we specialize in full-service wedding and event planning. Our services are designed to reduce the stress out of your big day while making sure everything runs smoothly. We offer multiple services as listed below,

Full Event Planning: From initial concept to final details
Event Management: Managing every aspect of your event on the event day (starts 90 days prior to the event)
Custom Design & Styling: Taking your vision and creating a one-of-a-kind aesthetic that fits your theme and personality
Drapery & Design: Transforming an entire venue or creating a specialty backdrop for stages and photos

Whether it’s handling intimate weddings or grand corporate events, our team can scale to fit the size and complexity of any event. No matter the event, Events by Jes prides itself on making sure every detail is creatively and precisely executed.

Our personal touch is very important to the culture of our business. We’re more than event planners; we’re partners in transfroming your visions into a reality and you’re our Glam Fam. We take the time to understand your vision, personality, and style, ensuring that your event is uniquely you. Our family-driven business includes eight passionate team members who bring expertise, creativity, and dedication to each project. We have the experience and resources to execute it flawlessly. We are committed to excellence Every event is an opportunity for us to showcase our meticulous attention to detail, creative flair, and commitment to making your day unforgettable. We’ve seen it all—last-minute changes, missing officiants (yes, we handled that one), weather curveballs and so much more. Whatever comes our way, our adaptability allows us to handle it with professionalism and grace, so you can enjoy the totality of your day.

At Events by Jes, we’re not just in the business of event planning—we’re in the business of creating memories that last a lifetime. If you’re looking for an event that feels like a true reflection of who you are, we’re here to make it happen. Let’s transform your vision into reality together! That’s the heartbeat of Events by Jes and who we are as the behind the scenes powerhouse!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

When it comes to growing a successful event planning business like Events by Jes, the importance of community, connections, and vendor relationships cannot be overstated. These elements are the backbone of your business’s reputation and growth. Let me break down why focusing on our Glam Fam (clients), networking and fostering strong vendor relationships is the most effective strategy for attracting new clients for Event by Jes. This leads to 39% of our business alone.

1. Community (Glam Fam) – Our Glam Fam (clients) mean everything to us. Our family, friends, past clients, and even social media followers make up the foundation of our community. They are the ones who sing our praises and share our work. We’ve built a solid community, a network of people who know our work ethics and understand our business model because they have invested in services with Events by Jes themselves. Cultivating authentic relationships with our Glam Fam is so important for the growth of our family-owned company. After-all, Word-of-Mouth Marketing is still alive. People trust recommendations from friends and family so when our Glam Fam who felt seen, heard, and are wowed by our service recommends Events by Jes to others, those referrals often bring in clients who are a *perfect fit* for our style and personality because they already trust the reputation of Events by Jes. Our Glam Fam are natural ambassadors for our brand, helping to grow our business immensely.

2. Connections and networking are the golden thread in the fabric of our business. Events by Jes’ ability to connect with people—whether they are potential clients, collaborators, or influencers—have helped grow our clientele in ways we could not have even expected. By frequently attending industry events, expos, and community gatherings, Events by Jes also opens doors to new clients. Networking and uilding relationships with other professionals has lead to collaboration opportunities and client referrals that we could never have imagined, seriously. For example, networking with a sales and catering manager led us to meeting a gentelman who was drafted into the NFL which then allowed us to meet people who opened the door to us working with SuperBowl LIII held in Atlanta, GA. Building trust with industry professionals is key in an industry where our clients are entrusting us with some of the most important days of their lives. Remaining honest, reliable and approachable makes it easy for clients to say, “Yes, I want to work with Jes!”

3. Vendor Relationships: Events by Jes prides itself on maintaining healthy vendor relationships as they are one of the *most critical* factors in your success. Having a strong, reliable network of vendors we trust means we can confidently recommend them to our Glam Fam, knowing they’ll deliver. Our reputation as a planner is often tied to the vendors we work with, so building and maintaining solid vendor relationships is a must. Having a solid group of go-to vendors, we know that the quality of their work will reflect positively on Events by Jes and vice versa. These partnerships often lead to a continuous flow of business for all parties involved.

The strategy combining these three elements—community, connections, and vendor relationships—creates a powerful trifecta for attracting new clients. Each plays a key role in our brand’s reputation and growth, and together, they make Events by Jes irresistible to potential clients. By engaging our Glam Fam, forging deep connections, and nurturing vendor relationships, we continue to build a network of trust and reliability that will continue to grow our clientele organically. At Events by Jes, we’ve seen firsthand that the most effective strategy isn’t just about having great marketing or a polished website—it’s about relationships. People will remember how you made them feel, how you connected with them, and how you delivered beyond their expectations. That’s what turns potential clients into lifelong advocates and ambassadors of Events by Jes.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Starting Events was not an easy feat. I had a big vision and small capital.

When we started Events by Jes nearly 10 years ago, it was truly “from the mud”. We didn’t have a grand budget, fancy investors, or a financial safety net—just $750 that my husband and I decided to take a leap of faith with and create a legacy for our family.

All 750 dollar bills was spent on the following; paying to register with the State of Georgia and Cobb County, opening a virtual mailbox, creating business cards, purchasing a domain name and paying for 2 months for an office space that I later realized was not needed. That initial investment was a seed, and I knew I had to nurture it carefully.

For 14 months, I hustled and did whatever it took to raise the capital we needed. I took on odd jobs like tutoring, and even worked on building the portfolios of other companies to make ends meet. Every dollar earned was strategically reinvested into growing the business. It wasn’t glamorous, but I learned so much in that grind, from understanding cash flow management to building connections that would later become pivotal.

The key lessons I learned were:

Clear vision will determine the budget. I didn’t need a huge budget to start, but I did take months to pray and write out the vision for the business. I had to focus on where I wanted Events by Jes to go, and make strategic moves to get there. I didn’t just want to make money, I want to impact lives and leave a legacy for my family.

Create multiple revenue streams. I didn’t just rely on one source of income. By tutoring and helping other companies (sometimes 4 at a time) with their business structure and portfolios, I created multiple streams of revenue that helped me reinvest in my business.

Strategic reinvestment is key to growing the business. Every penny earned wasn’t spent frivolously. It went straight back into the business—whether it was on marketing materials such as professionally designed business brochures, tshirts for the team, or paying for classes and workshops, no money was wasted. I literally paid myself $200/month for 14 long months.

The power of hustle will take you where knowledge is limited. In the early stages, grit and perseverance were my most valuable assets. When resources were limited, I had to rely on creativity and determination. Thank God for a husband and family members who let me vent and encouraged me to walk in my purpose.

My favorite lesson that I constantly replay daily is, “My Faith WILL over power my fear.” Taking that leap with just $750 was risky, but faith in the vision made the risk worthwhile. Starting from the mud wasn’t easy, but it made Events by Jes what it is today—proof that with hard work, hustle, and faith, we can and will continue to transform visions into a reality!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eventsbyjes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbyjes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paparazziglambyjes/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-smith-presley-14316850
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2uu6xTe5wlQB-idBtKrETA
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/events-by-jes-wedding-event-planner-marietta
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eventsbyjes

Image Credits

B. Rich Photography
Jenna Carney Photography
MRP Cinema
LaJoy Photography