Today, Alexis Wilkins is one of Meeting Tomorrow’s unstoppable event project managers, producing high-stakes corporate events for our clients.
But before stepping into the world of large corporate events, she was immersed in the intimate, high pressure world of weddings through building her own wedding business. Her path—from small corporate beginnings to running her own wedding business, and eventually into the fast-paced realm of large corporate event production—has shaped how she approaches every event she touches today. Alexis took some time out of her busy day to share with us how her early wedding experience sharpened her instincts, taught her how to stay grounded under pressure, and deepened her commitment to creating unforgettable moments with the attendee always top of mind.
Let’s start with your career story. How did you get started in events?
I’ve had a long history of planning social events—back in my sorority days, I was the social chair and planned our banquets and formals. I’ve always loved being part of meaningful moments in people’s lives. My first ever role was actually at a local chiropractic center, doing small-scale marketing events. From there, I started organizing larger corporate health fairs, where I really got into the production and planning side of corporate events.
It was during that time that I discovered weddings. I emailed 30 different wedding planners in the Baltimore area and said, “Hey, I want to be an assistant or intern. I don’t even really know what that means, but I want to learn.” I only got two responses, and I ended up working with one of those planners for years who became a huge mentor of mine.
Alexis mid-wedding with one of her wedding clients.
What was the moment you realized you could take the lead on weddings yourself?
One of my close friends was getting married and needed a planner. I said, “Oh, I know someone!” and he said, “No, I want you to do it.” I panicked a little and told him I wasn’t ready to do it alone. But he pushed me and I realized, yeah—I could.
It started as an 80-person wedding and quickly grew to 250. Both the bride and groom were pastor’s kids, so their entire churches came. It was wild, but everything went great. After that, I made an Instagram, took on a few more weddings, and things grew from there.
What foundational skills or mindsets from your early days in weddings and smaller corporate events do you still rely on now in your larger corporate work?
Small details can have a big impact. If a client takes the time to communicate something, there’s a reason—so follow through. Little things make a big impact.
Also, knowing how to work with a diverse range of people and relationship dynamics is a huge carryover skill from weddings to corporate. For example, if you’re working with a bride and her mom—what’s that relationship like? Or on the corporate side, what’s the relationship between the planner and their boss?
I always take a step back and just observe. On a call, I listen to how people communicate. I ask my clients, “Are there any dynamics I should be aware of?” or, “Have you had any tough experiences at past events I should be aware of?” It helps me understand their hot buttons.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Being naturally inquisitive and curious has helped me so much. There’s no way to know everything, especially with a new client or event. If you don’t ask, you won’t know.
Being naturally inquisitive and curious has helped me so much. There’s no way to know everything, especially with a new client or event. If you don’t ask, you won’t know.
How did weddings teach you how to manage stress in the planning process or onsite?
It’s really about knowing when does this need to be shared with the client, and when can I keep it between me and my team? I try to work internally first to understand the issue and get a solution in motion—so that if I do bring it to the client, I’m not just presenting a problem, I’m already walking in with, “Here’s what’s happening and here’s what we’re doing about it.”
One thing I didn’t talk about in your question is how I deal with stress onsite. Sometimes, when time allows, I go for a walk. And it’s totally fine—we’re all human. You just have to know when to step away and when to come back in refreshed.
For someone getting into the events industry, where do you see the best opportunities for skill growth right now?
I think a big one is integrating AI and learning how to make your planning process more efficient.
The main thing that I use AI for right now is letting AI do the note-taking on a call, and then staying more engaged in the conversation with my clients. Then, I’m able to use those notes to quickly send recaps and next steps. That’s something that used to take a huge amount of time before. It’s like a little assistant. My favorite part of planning is the relationship building with my clients and understanding more about them. I just use that extra time to even enhance what we’re doing further.
Is there anything you wish you’d known or done differently earlier in your career?
Don’t try to fit into a mold of what you think a planner is supposed to be. People always say “event planner” and think of someone in all black, wearing a blazer, with a little clipboard and headset—like a movie character. Whoever youare is the planner you should be. I think you get further being yourself than trying to be someone else.
Whoever you are is the planner you should be. I think you get further being yourself than trying to be someone else.
Early in my corporate event career, I used to feel like I had to be super buttoned-up and couldn’t be myself. I remember going to Burlington Coat Factory and getting this suit and heels — my feet were killing me by the end of my first day. The other planner was like, “Do you know how many steps we take!?” Luckily, I’ve worked with companies that allowed me to be myself. Obviously I don’t go rogue and do wild stuff, but the companies I’ve worked for and Meeting Tomorrow’s culture has allowed me to show up authentically—and I think clients respect and like me more for it. And the work that comes from that feels more meaningful to me at the end of the day.
Alexis onsite with one her many event clients.
And just look at how many incredible experiences you’ve had and clients you’ve worked with, all by staying true to yourself. What’s a moment from your event career that you’ll never forget, and what did it teach you?
One time, a bird pooped on my bride’s dress during cocktail hour. And I was on my hands and knees with a Tide pen getting it out. That taught me to expect the unexpected. But also, sometimes you’ll go way above and beyond for clients. Nowhere in my job description did it say “I’ll get bird poop out of your dress,” but I was like—I’ll make sure you feel great. That’s the service I’m really offering.
Okay—last question, a fun one. Are you willing to share the thing you’re most excited about for your own wedding? Or do you need to gatekeep?
Ha, no, I’ll share! I think I’m most excited for some of the cocktail hour and ceremony details. Everyone always talks about the reception—but I want those personal touches earlier in the day too. We’re using a quartet during cocktail hour and a saxophonist, and we’re doing espresso martinis during cake cutting — we need energy, let’s make it fun! Also, we’re from Baltimore, and there’s this thing called a “chicken box”—chicken and fries, which we’ll be having as a late night snack.
The attendee experience is always in my head. Like, how are people feeling during this event? I might not even get to see the saxophonist. I might be off taking photos. But I know my guests will have a great experience—and that’s what matters most to me.
That’s such a great note to end on. Because even with your own wedding, you’re somehow still thinking about the “attendee experience.” I love that. And—I will be crashing your wedding. I heard espresso martinis.
[Laughs] It’s gonna be fun!
Want more? Hear more from Alexis and Meeting Tomorrow’s team on TikTok.
