Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Marston.
Ryan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I went to Clemson University (go Tigers!) and was studying Psychology. I always thought I wanted to go back to school to get my masters, but I also knew I didn’t want to go right away. So, that left me in a little bit of a “what do I do now?” mode. That’s when one of my life mentors brought up the idea of event planning. They really spoke into my strengths as an outsider looking in, and I am forever grateful for their perspective and guidance!
With this new path in mind, I set out to find a job. Having graduated in 2008, nobody was hiring. So, I found myself in the new city of Atlanta with no job. I decided to at least get my foot in the door, so I accepted an internship with a local wedding planning company. From there, professional connections were made and my new found passion for event planning sort of took off! I ended up working for another wedding planning company for a bit before finding myself working full time in sales & events at Park Tavern on Piedmont Park. With up to 7 weddings in one weekend, let’s just say Park Tavern is basically Atlanta’s “wedding factory”! When people ask me “how many weddings have you worked?” there are literally way too many to count!
I left Park Tavern in the summer of 2015 after I got married. My husband and I decided to quit our jobs and travel around the world– for seven months. It was the experience of a lifetime! Once we came back to the states, I was back to the old question: “What do I do now?”. And Organized Occasions was born! I will forever be grateful to my mentors, vendor friends, and my experience at Park Tavern since all of those things really helped propel my business forward at such an early stage.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Well, have I had a complete disaster of a wedding yet? Thank God, no! But have I faced some challenges and struggles behind the scenes? Heck yes! Nobody really gets honest with you about the obstacles that come along with starting your own business. They wait for you to take the leap, and then they dump all the challenges on you!- ha! In all seriousness, its been a lot of late nights and long hours where you are essentially “working for free”. You have to be willing to put in the extra effort, educate yourself about the business & financial side, attend the networking events, go on countless coffee dates, and lean into this industry’s call for creativity. It has come with a million learning curves, and I am still learning something new from every single event. But that’s also part of the reward! Focusing on self-growth will always be one of my favorite goals.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Organized Occasions – what should we know?
Organized Occasions works with clients to create flawless & memorable events and experiences. We want the whole wedding planning experience (from start to finish!) to be memorable and fun. We don’t just focus on the wedding day. Your wedding details should be unique to you two as a couple; let the details tell your love story. We know that planning such an important occasion can feel exhausting, so we like to say that we help our brides keep a ‘happy heart’ along the way.
I’d say what sets Organized Occasions apart is my background working on the venue side, the catering side, and with wedding bands (the entertainment side). This helps bring a comprehensive perspective to your day so that no detail is overlooked! We literally think of every…tiny…thing. 🙂
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’m blessed with a really supportive husband, friend group, and other industry friends. Everyone has been so kind in supporting me along this journey! Whether its been something as small as a phone call to check in or something super impactful like connecting me to other professionals or sending client referrals…everyone has played a role in building up Organized Occasions into the success it is today.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1500 Southland Circle NW
Suite C Atlanta, GA 30318 - Website: www.organizemyoccasion.com
- Phone: 404-494-0958
- Email: ryan@organizemyoccasion.com
- Instagram: @organized.occasions
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/organized.occasions.ATL
Image Credit:
Kathryn Elisabeth Photos, Justen Clay, Cait Nash Photos, and Kristen Alexander Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
