PHOTOS BY KAMERON ASHFORD
Amanda Williams, a visionary event planner and community leader, is transforming the way people in Rochester connect and celebrate. Known for her warm hospitality and exquisite attention to detail, Amanda has made a name for herself by creating events that are not only memorable but also meaningful. Her signature event, “A Seat At The Table Tea Party,” has become a beloved tradition, offering women a unique opportunity to gather in a space filled with beauty, kindness, and a sense of belonging. With a background in education and a natural gift for organization, Amanda has seamlessly combined her love for event planning with her passion for community engagement, making a significant impact in her city and beyond.
Amanda’s journey into event planning started at a young age, inspired by her innate ability to bring people together. From organizing neighborhood kickball games and tea parties as a child to hosting elaborate themed events as an adult, Amanda’s life has been marked by a deep commitment to community building and a passion for creating beautiful spaces. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and faith, and she continues to inspire others through her work and her unwavering belief in the power of connection. As Amanda looks to the future, her vision for “A Seat At The Table Tea Party” includes expanding its reach to other states, sharing her message of hospitality, love, and empowerment with women across the country.
Could you share a bit about your background and what led you to become involved in event planning and community engagement?
Event planning and hosting have always been a part of my life—it’s embedded in my DNA. As a young girl, I was the one who gathered all the neighborhood kids for tea parties on my porch, organized kickball games in an abandoned lot, and turned my house into the place where all the kids flocked. As I grew older, I planned themed birthday parties for myself, and once I had children, I expanded my creativity through their birthday parties. Years of relationship building and mentoring others have helped my community and connections grow tremendously. I truly love using hospitality and my passion for creating beautiful spaces to bring people together.
What inspired the creation of “A Seat At The Table Tea Party,” and how did it all begin?
It started with my discontentment with the types of events we have in Rochester. I admired the beautiful and lavish gatherings I would see on social media in bigger cities like Atlanta, California, and Texas, and I was disappointed that we didn’t have anything like that locally. So, in 2022, I decided to host a Tea Party. What began as a selfish desire to dress up for the day evolved into a gathering with a deeper meaning. I wanted to create a space where all women could dress up, be in a room void of competition and cattiness, embrace their uniqueness, and feel a sense of belonging.
What is the main mission or purpose behind hosting these tea parties?
I want the truth of the Gospel of Christ to be expressed beyond words. People often preach Jesus but don’t always live and love like Him. In scripture, Jesus was often found sitting at tables with the most peculiar people—eating, conversing, teaching, and telling stories. He was hospitable and had a way of welcoming everyone into His presence. These Tea Parties are meant to demonstrate that same hospitality, love, and welcome. It’s a way to see the goodness of God lived out through my team members as they greet and host. It’s expressed through the detailed decor that makes every guest feel thought of and important. It’s experienced as women gather around the tables, eating, laughing, sharing hugs and tears as they listen to one another’s stories. Everyone in that room experiences the love and presence of God that permeates through every detail and moment. It changes their lives, how they interact with other women, how they see themselves, and how they see God!
Can you describe the atmosphere and experience you aim to create for attendees of your tea parties?
Every moment of planning centers around everyone in that room knowing they are welcome, seen, and loved. This applies not only to the guests but also to the venue staff. How my team engages with them and their experience throughout the event is equally as important as the experience of the attendees. I am extremely intentional in curating an atmosphere of extreme kindness, thoughtfulness, and regard. When you attend the tea party, I want everyone to feel like the most important person in the room because they are! All hold value, all have purpose, and all are loved by the Father.
Your custom balloon creations are quite unique. How did you learn this art form, and what sparked your interest in it?
I never intended to do balloon garlands. It started when my sister saw a photo of one on Google back in 2018 and asked if I could try to make one for my nephew’s party. I had no idea what I was doing, but I attempted it, and it came out pretty good for someone who had no clue. From there, I would make them for family gatherings, and it wasn’t until COVID that my skill became known to others. I began creating mini balloon garlands and lawn pillars and delivering them to people so they could celebrate special moments at home while the world was shut down. Ever since then, I’ve been sought after for different balloon displays.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in learning and perfecting balloon creations, and how have you overcome them?
Balloon displays used to take me 5-6 hours to complete, including prepping and assembling. Though I enjoyed the creative outlet, it was taking up too much time. I am always looking for a more efficient way, so I began exploring different techniques and methods to cut down my prep time without impacting the quality of my work. Now I can prepare and set up within 2-3 hours.
How do you incorporate your custom balloon designs into the tea party experience?
For the first tea party, I set up my own balloon display for the main stage area, saving me about $800. I love having a skill set that not only makes me money but also saves me money. However, I decided not to do balloons this year to focus on other aspects of the gathering.
What do you feel sets your custom balloon creations apart from others in the industry?
I don’t focus on what others are doing with the intent to “one-up” them. I believe that “your gifts will make room for you.” My focus is to remain consistent, and integral, invest in myself and my craft, and provide top-notch customer service. With this business model, you don’t need to worry about standing out or being chosen by customers. God’s favor is enough to open doors that no person can shut. I also love teaching others EVERYTHING that I know. In addition to creating balloon displays, I also train aspiring balloon garland artists, providing a hands-on workshop to jump-start their journey in the industry. Teaching is truly my passion.
How do you balance the artistic side of your work with the logistical aspects of event planning?
They actually work together. My creativity and vision thrive around organization! When I begin writing and mapping out logistics, my imagination runs wild with possibilities. Having structure around the “who, what, when, where, why” allows incredible ideas to flow and helps me create unforgettable gatherings. When there’s a plan in place, anything is possible!
Tell us about a memorable event or tea party you’ve hosted and what made it special.
It’s hard to narrow it down to just one. Every gathering I’ve hosted has produced unforgettable moments and incredible testimonies. But if I had to choose one, it would be the famous Pink Carriage at this year’s Tea Party (I’m standing in it on the front cover photo). I saw it at a local store back in May and posted a photo of me standing in front of it with sad puppy eyes because I wanted it so badly but didn’t have the money to purchase it. A week and a half before the Tea Party, the store manager called to let me know they marked it down on sale, but it was still out of my price range. I jokingly posted an update on Facebook, and a few friends encouraged me to ask for contributions. I hesitated but decided to throw it out there, and within 45 minutes, over 50 people sent money to my Cash App and Venmo. I was blown away by their generosity and support. Seeing all the attendees enjoying themselves, taking photos and videos on the carriage warmed my heart because my community made that happen!
What are some key ingredients for a successful and memorable event, in your opinion?
Organization and communication are huge to me. They can either make or break your guest experience. They are crucial throughout the entire process, not just on the day of the event. People want to walk into a room and feel safe and settled. If everyone is scrambling and there’s confusion or miscommunication, it interferes with the guests’ ability to engage and receive. You can have the most elaborate decor and the best speakers, but if everything is running behind, your team is all over the place, and there are malfunctions and awkward moments, it will leave guests not wanting to attend your event again. Excellence should always be the standard.
How do you plan and organize each tea party to ensure everything runs smoothly?
I write and draw everything out. A vision that’s not documented on paper is an idea waiting to fail. I map out timelines to ensure I give myself enough time to execute. Then, I start the framework of who, when, where, what, and why. Answering those questions with clarity helps me identify everything and everyone I need. From there, I hash out the small details and keep everyone informed. This means constant communication with my team and attendees. I also create digital mock-ups for my events so my vision is easily translated to my team for efficient execution.
What advice would you give to someone interested in starting their own event planning business or organizing community events?
Know your “why” and protect that. Don’t do things just for money; it’s easy to start for the wrong reasons. Event planning and community events are centered around “hosting,” which is about “hospitality.” Hospitality is more than setting tables and sending invites. It’s about giving people an experience they didn’t know they needed. Serve them and leave a lasting impact. That takes passion, humility, prayer, and preferring others above yourself. Curate gatherings around what people need, not just what will make you money.
How has your background in education influenced your approach to event planning and community engagement?
I’ve always had an administrative gift. Every past experience has been a training ground for what I do today. I’ve acquired wisdom along the way, and every job, conversation, relationship, opportunity, connection, project, and encounter has contributed to sharpening my gifts and igniting my passion.
Can you share a few tips for creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere at events?
I put myself in the shoes of the attendees. If I were attending my event, what would I like to feel, see, smell, hear, and experience? This goes from pre-event communication to the smallest details at the event. Little things make a huge difference, like signage to help people know where to go and avoid confusion, team members stationed around the room to greet, answer questions, and give directions, refreshments and essentials in easy-access places, and every team member’s face saying, “I want you here, and I’m here to help you.” Those things are just as important as decor and entertainment.
What future goals or plans do you have for your tea parties and event planning endeavors?
I plan to continue allowing the gatherings to grow and evolve organically. I want the Tea Parties to extend beyond Rochester and reach other cities. I want to develop more relationships in other communities with organizations and businesses and become a household name for empowerment, encouragement, and education.
