Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Lee.
Hi Amber, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Once Upon a Wedding began in California in the special events world.
In the early days, my business was called Everyday Events. I provided planning support along with bartending staff and wait staff for weddings and private events. At our very first wedding, we were bussing tables. I remember looking around at the dance floor, the laughter, the music, the cake, the joy on everyone’s faces, and thinking, “This is magic.” The entire day was full of excitement, incredible food, great music, and so much love flowing everywhere. I was hooked.
I fell in love with weddings from the inside out.
I became ordained and married my first couple on 09/15/2017. I was determined to build my business full-time and poured myself into growing Everyday Events. But when I found out I was expecting, I knew I needed stability for my family. I took a full-time role managing client accounts for a company that helped realtors develop and market their brands, while continuing weddings on the side. That season sharpened my business skills in ways I could not have anticipated. I learned how to manage multiple moving parts, guide clients through development and execution, and oversee processes from start to finish.
Over time, I realized something important. Couples did not just need someone to show up on wedding day. They needed guidance throughout the planning process. They wanted reassurance that they were not missing anything. They wanted someone experienced reviewing timelines, vendor contracts, and logistics to catch the common pitfalls before they became problems.
And I genuinely love that part.
After being laid off during COVID, I made the intentional decision to rebrand from Everyday Events to Once Upon a Wedding and focus exclusively on weddings. At the same time, my family moved from California to Texas in October 2020. It felt like a complete reset. A new state. A new brand. A fresh start. I decided I was going all in.
Today, Once Upon a Wedding is built on friendship, collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. I do not see myself as just a planner or coordinator. I am building a team. I walk alongside my couples throughout the planning process, helping them thoughtfully assemble a vendor team of trusted industry friends I believe in wholeheartedly.
One of my favorite parts of this work is making those connections. There is something incredibly rewarding about pairing great couples with great vendors and watching those relationships thrive. When everyone feels aligned, respected, and genuinely excited to work together, the entire experience changes. It becomes smoother, more joyful, and far more meaningful.
By the time wedding day arrives, it does not feel transactional. It feels like a group of people who care about one another coming together to create something unforgettable. I step in fully to protect that experience, managing the details and handling whatever arises behind the scenes so my couples and their families can be present, celebrate freely, and truly enjoy the day they worked so hard to create.
My journey through the special events world, from supporting weddings behind the scenes to stepping in wherever help was needed, has grown into a business rooted in resilience, relationships, and a genuine love for serving people well.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road.
When I first started, I believed that if I built a beautiful website and listed my services online, clients would just come. I am naturally introverted, and putting myself out there didn’t come easily. I invested in paid leads and online advertising, hoping visibility alone would create momentum – but it didn’t.
I was trying to build my wedding business full-time when I found out I was expecting. To support my growing family, I took a full-time role managing client accounts for a company that helped realtors develop and market their brands, while continuing weddings on the side. That role taught me how to manage multiple moving parts, guide clients through execution processes, and communicate clearly – skills that would later become essential to running my own wedding business.
Then, in 2020, I was laid off from that full-time account management role. At the same time, my family was preparing to move from California to Texas. Everything felt uncertain all at once.
It could have been the end of my business – but instead, it became the turning point. I made the intentional decision to rebrand from Everyday Events to Once Upon a Wedding and focus exclusively on weddings. I put myself out there, started building relationships with venues and vendors, and leaned into networking – even when it was uncomfortable.
That shift changed everything. Referrals began to grow, the right clients started finding me, and I realized that weddings are built on trust and connection, not algorithms. Looking back, I am grateful it was not a smooth road. The challenges refined my confidence, strengthened my resilience, and shaped the heart and strength behind Once Upon a Wedding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in creating stress-free, joyful wedding experiences by handling all the details that couples might not even realize could be overlooked. I’m known for doing the most, so my couples can fully enjoy their day without worrying about anything going wrong. From timelines and setup logistics to vendor coordination and last-minute hiccups, I make sure nothing is forgotten.
Organization is a huge part of how I serve well. I’ve built detailed systems and processes to keep every wedding running smoothly. Our HoneyBook portal doubles as an electronic brochure, proposal, invoice, and agreement, making everything completely transparent from the beginning. It houses all communication in one place, stores vendor contracts, and even includes a scheduler with an AI Notetaker that transcribes our video calls so nothing is missed. That level of organization allows my couples, their families, and the vendor team to feel confident and clear every step of the way.
I also love hosting. My experience running Westhill Haven, my short-term rental in Cleburne, has strengthened my natural instinct to anticipate needs and create welcoming environments. That same approach carries over into weddings. I don’t just take care of the couple. I take care of the entire team.
That includes making sure vendors are fed and hydrated so they can perform at their best. I coordinate with catering to set aside plates for the photographer and videographer in a quiet space so they can eat efficiently without missing key moments. I personally bring a plate to the DJ so they can eat while the couple eats and before the evening activities resume. I check in throughout the day to make sure everyone has what they need. When vendors feel valued and supported, the energy shifts. They show up even stronger for my couples.
I have strong relationships with a trusted network of professionals in the industry. I used to help run the Vendor Alliance Association, a networking group for wedding vendors, which allowed me to build meaningful connections and understand how to bring teams together seamlessly. I love helping couples assemble a vendor team that works beautifully together and genuinely enjoys the experience.
What sets me apart is the combination of meticulous attention to detail and a deeply relational approach. I advocate fiercely for my couples, anticipate challenges before they arise, and create an atmosphere where everyone feels cared for. I am most proud of the peace of mind and joy my couples feel on their wedding day, and knowing they were able to be fully present because someone they trusted was handling everything behind the scenes.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I rely on a mix of tools, courses, and resources to help me do my best both at work and in life. HoneyBook is a big one for me – it keeps my business organized, my communication clear, and everything running smoothly with couples and vendors. I also went through Christy Wright’s Business Boutique course back in 2020 when I rebranded to Once Upon a Wedding, and it gave me the tools and confidence to take my business to the next level.
On the financial side, I follow Dave Ramsey, use his EveryDollar app to stay on top of personal budgeting, and have been reading Profit First, which has really helped me improve cash flow and financial management for both my business and personal life.
For daily life and wellness, I use the eMeals app to keep meal planning simple and my family’s menu fresh and healthy. I’m also using Noom to lose a few pounds – I went from almost 200 pounds down to 170 in 2024, had a little rebound last fall to 183, and am now working to get back down.
I try to keep up with trends, but I’ll admit I’m just old enough to feel a little overwhelmed by TikTok. That’s why I work with a virtual assistant in the Philippines to help with social media, which allows me to focus on the admin, execution, and the parts of my business that I love most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onceuponawedding.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onceuponawedding.us
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onceuponawedding.us
Image Credits
All credits are listed in the file name 🙂
