How Amanda Reed Built an Events Empire

As spring blooms and wedding season ramps up, it’s the perfect time to spill a little wedding industry tea—and who better to do that with than Amanda Reed of Amanda Reed Weddings? Recently, Amanda joined Eb and Pat on the big brown couch for a candid chat about the behind-the-scenes magic and evolution in the luxury event space.

Amanda Reed graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Interior Design and began her career at a design firm. But it didn’t take long for her to realize that her path didn’t align with her passion.

“I didn’t have the courage to go out on my own and start a business right away,” she shared. “I think you have to go through certain experiences to figure out where you’re meant to be. I worked for a few different companies in the design realm, but it started to feel more like sales—and I’m not a salesperson. I wanted to design.”

After countless phone calls and long drives spent soul-searching, Amanda’s mom suggested a new direction: teaching. Taking the advice to heart, Amanda earned her teaching certification and entered the classroom. She started as a long-term sub teaching English Language Arts and eventually landed a full-time role teaching Home Economics. But everything shifted when she became a mom.

“When I got pregnant, I realized I didn’t want to spend my time away from my own kids with other people’s kids,” Amanda said. That realization sparked her next chapter—a small painting business. “I painted canvases for kids’ rooms, some murals… I had a good little business going! It was fun. I still see pieces I did around town.”

As her daughter approached kindergarten, Amanda began feeling the pull back toward her creative roots. She knew she didn’t want to return to just painting. “I thought, I think there’s more that I want to do here,” she recalled. “I had a friend who was running an event planning business, and I said, ‘Hey, if you ever need help, let me know.’” Amanda laughed. “Famous last words.”

That partnership marked Amanda’s official entry into the wedding industry. She quickly immersed herself in the work, learning the ins and outs of event planning and what it truly takes to bring a vision to life. Within a few years, she took a leap of faith and launched ARW– Amanda Reed Weddings. “Every time I’ve gotten to a place in life where there’s been two paths, I’ve taken the scarier one,” she reflected.

Amanda soon found herself managing full-scale planning and design for more than 30 weddings a year—an ambitious undertaking by any standard in the industry. She also had team members who wanted to take on their own events, so at that point, she said, “I’m going to have people work for me, and honestly, no one had really done that in our area. There really were no big groups of planners. That was really the first big leap of faith. Because no matter what happens with that wedding, if it’s great, or if something goes wrong, my name is on it. You’re trusting somebody else with your name to represent it well.” Amanda’s team has grown, and she now has at least 8 associate planners who work under ARW.

As Amanda’s reputation grew through word-of-mouth referrals, so did her client base—and their budgets. “Moving from predominantly DJs into the vast majority of my events having bands has a cost associated because it’s a different level of service,” she said. With each event, she saw an overall elevation in every detail: larger floral budgets, upgraded linens, curated cocktail menus, and a more refined guest experience across the board.

Amanda deeply understands the regional clientele she serves and the nuances of their preferences. With her finger on the pulse of local spending habits, she recognizes that in her area, wealth is often expressed through understated elegance rather than overt displays. Her clients trust her ability to deliver exceptional experiences, yet many prefer celebrations that feel elevated without appearing “over the top.” Amanda has mastered the art of striking that balance with grace and precision, all while ensuring that each wedding she produces feels unique—even in venues she’s worked in time and time again.

On the topic of working with other vendors, Amanda says luxury isn’t about the associated cost.  It’s about the willingness to do whatever is needed to make it happen. It’s about under-promising and overdelivering. “I do stuff all day, every day; that’s not my job, but that’s my job,” she said. The flexibility and the willingness to help spoke to her on her first event with Lost Wax. “The fact that you guys were like, “What can we do?” “How can we help?” that goes a long way with me,” Amanda said.

Lost Wax built a relationship with Amanda after she came across a client in 2017 who didn’t feel connected to any of the bands she currently had on her roster. The clients had heard Lost Wax at a gala and felt a pull to bring them in, giving Lost Wax their first taste of a luxury market beyond Kansas City. Amanda recalled the green room from that event, which was far from glamorous. “It was an unfinished space. I was sure you wouldn’t talk to me again,” she laughed.

But that’s the thing about Lost Wax—they’re not in spaces with planners like Amanda Reed for the glam. It’s not uncommon to see band members lending a hand by helping flip a room, cleaning up after the show, or pitching in wherever needed. Lost Wax is rooted deeply in Midwestern values, and the band prides itself on humility, hard work, and putting people first. That grounded approach isn’t just a vibe—it’s who they are at the core, and the band-to-wedding relationship is paramount.

“We’re always looking to serve the client first and foremost, but we have that client one night and one night only. Our long-term investment is with the planner,” Pat noted. The reciprocal relationship between band and planner is integral to a successful event. It’s about trust, rhythm, and knowing that each vendor plays their part to elevate the overall experience. “I want to hire the best to be a part of my team. I’m going to let you shine, and I’m not going to get in your way,” Amanda says.

That kind of mutual respect fosters seamless events where everyone—from the bride’s mom to the photographer—feels the synergy. It’s not about ego or spotlight; it’s about creating a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the couple. And that only happens when vendors see each other not as separate acts but as a cohesive unit working in harmony.

On the topic of working in the luxury events space, Eboni noted, “Luxury over the years has changed from throwing a bunch of money at the biggest cake, and the best food and the biggest dress to the experience of it all.” Amanda agreed, emphasizing that price tags don’t define luxury—it’s about personalization, thoughtful details, and creating a meaningful experience.

Today’s version of luxury has shifted from over-the-top grandeur to deeply personal touches—like serving the groom’s grandmother’s banana pudding shooters on the dance floor because it was his favorite childhood snack. True luxury lies in the guest experience, going above and beyond expectations, and thinking outside the box. What once screamed “wedding” isn’t a requirement anymore. Now, it’s all about intentionality, authenticity, and the stories woven into the details.

For planners like Amanda, the true magic of a wedding isn’t found in the grand entrances or the perfectly timed toasts—it’s in the quiet exhale after the formalities fade and the celebration truly begins. “The moment I look forward to in the evening is after the cake has been cut, everyone is on the dance floor, and you guys are doing your thing. That’s the moment I breathe,” she shared. The transition from structure to spontaneity where the couple is fully present, guests are immersed in the joy of the night and the band is setting the tone for memories that will last a lifetime. It’s not just a party at that point—it’s a reward.

Want more of Amanda’s wedding wisdom (plus a peek behind the curtain of luxury planning)? You’ll probably find her in sweatpants and a messy bun, but always bringing her A-game at amandareedweddings.com and @amandareedweddings on Instagram. For her take on 2026 wedding trends, tune into the full podcast episode on Lost Wax’s YouTube Channel HERE—you don’t want to miss this one!

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