Conversations with Juliana Holmes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliana Holmes.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi, I am Juliana Holmes I’m the founder of Beyond the Event, and my journey here is one that’s rooted in both heart and creativity. I grew up in Long Beach—though I often lovingly refer to it as Mi Playa Larga. I earned my degree in Child Development from CSULB and spent eight wonderful years as a kindergarten teacher.
While I loved working with children, I noticed something interesting about myself during those years—I was always the one going above and beyond for our school events. Whether it was a class celebration or a themed open house, I found so much joy in crafting detailed decor and bringing imaginative spaces to life. Over time, I realized that my passion for creativity and detail wasn’t meant to stay within four classroom walls.
Then, during my second to last year of teaching, I became a bride myself. Planning my own wedding opened up a whole new world. I threw myself into every detail, and while I hit a few bumps along the way, hiring a day-of coordinator made all the difference. It was the first time I saw how crucial that role was—not just for logistics, but for truly bringing a vision to life.
After the wedding, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was something I needed to explore. So I reached out to my coordinator and asked if I could shadow her. From the very first event, I was hooked. Watching couples see their dreams materialize before their eyes—it felt like magic. That was the moment I knew I’d found my purpose.
That passion led me to start Beyond the Event, where I now work as both a coordinator and floral designer. It’s where my love for storytelling, design, and people all come together. I approach every wedding as a partnership—when a couple chooses me, I choose them right back. We’re in it together.
What I love most is being trusted with such an important day in someone’s life. To take all the scattered pieces of their vision and turn it into something tangible—it’s an incredible honor. And no two stories are ever the same, which means I get to keep falling in love with this work, over and over again.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I started Beyond the Event, I was full of excitement and vision—I knew I had a passion for design, details, and love stories. But stepping into the role of a small business owner came with a lot of unexpected challenges.
In the beginning, I was wearing every hat. I was the planner, the floral designer, the social media manager, the accountant—even the IT person when something on the website broke. I knew how to create a beautiful event, but learning how to run a business behind the scenes was a whole different journey. There were nights I stayed up teaching myself QuickBooks or watching tutorials on how to optimize my Instagram reach—just trying to keep up.
Another challenge was helping clients understand the value of what I do. So many people think of a wedding coordinator as someone who just shows up on the day-of—but there’s so much more behind the scenes. Managing timelines, vendors, design details, and last-minute emergencies takes weeks—sometimes months—of preparation. Learning how to educate clients while also respecting their budgets took time and tact.
And finally, I think one of the most overlooked challenges is the emotional labor. Weddings are beautiful, but they can also be stressful—for couples, families, and sometimes even vendors. I had to learn how to be a calm, grounded presence in the room—someone who can handle tension with grace and keep the day moving smoothly, no matter what’s happening behind the scenes.
Through all of these struggles, though, I’ve never lost sight of why I started: to bring love stories to life in a way that feels personal, thoughtful, and joyful. Every challenge has made me a stronger business owner and a better planner. And when I see a couple take that first dance or walk down the aisle with tears in their eyes—that’s when I know every bit of it was worth it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Beyond the Event, I specialize in full, partial day of/month of-service wedding coordination —but at the heart of what I do, it’s really about telling love stories through intentional details. I’m known for creating events that feel deeply personal and visually stunning, where everything—from the ceremony backdrop to the smallest detail —feels like them.
What sets me apart is the way I build relationships with my couples. I don’t just show up on the day-of with a checklist. From the moment a couple chooses me, I choose them right back. We become a team. I take the time to understand who they are, what matters most to them, and how we can make their day reflect their story—not just Pinterest trends. I bring a calm, grounded energy that helps them feel supported every step of the way, and I pride myself on being both creative and detail-oriented. I’ll be the one fixing the boutonnière, adjusting a chair in the background, and making sure the couple gets five minutes alone to breathe after the ceremony.
One thing I’m especially proud of is how I’ve built this business with intention and authenticity. I started as a kindergarten teacher, always drawn to creativity and care. When I transitioned into weddings, I brought that same level of attention, warmth, and structure into my work. Now, I get to do what I love full-time—create beautiful, meaningful experiences that couples will remember for the rest of their lives.
More than anything, I’m proud that my work brings peace to people on what can be an overwhelming day. They get to be fully present, knowing I’ve got every detail covered. And for me, that’s everything.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me—as a planner, a military spouse, and a mom to a sassy toddler—is creating a sense of stability, intention, and presence in everything I do.
As a military spouse, I’ve learned how to be flexible, resourceful, and grounded even when life feels uncertain or constantly shifting. That experience has shaped the way I approach planning. Weddings can be overwhelming, emotional, and full of moving parts—so I bring a calm, steady energy into each event. I want my couples to feel like, no matter what’s happening around them, I’ve got it covered. That sense of reliability is something I don’t just value—I live it every day.
As a mom, I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for time and how sacred certain moments are. Toddlers grow and change so fast, and it’s taught me the importance of being fully present. I carry that into my work by encouraging my couples to soak in their day—to not just “get through” the timeline, but to experience it. I take care of the behind-the-scenes so they can focus on what truly matters: the people, the promises, the little moments they’ll remember forever.
And as a planner, I value authenticity and connection above all. It’s not about creating events that just look good—it’s about making sure they feel right. Whether it’s incorporating a family tradition, honoring cultural roots, or simply ensuring the couple has a private minute together before the reception—I believe the magic is in the meaningful details.
So at the end of the day, what matters most to me is building a life and a business that reflect love, care, and purpose. And I bring that mindset into every event, every couple, and every love story I’m lucky enough to be a part of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beyyondtheevent.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyyondtheevent/

Image Credits
Kellie Jane Photography

Melanie Janel Photo

CoyPrint