We recently had the chance to connect with Stephanie Bailey and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Stephanie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Coffee
Scroll on my phone and spend time in the quiet, with my doggy babies and my husband.
Basically get my brain ready for the day ahead
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
After 20 years as an educator, I’ve chosen to follow my true passion: event planning and booking. In the summer of 2022, I had the opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes experience in the wedding industry — an experience that made it clear I was ready for a new chapter, one that brings me joy and aligns with my natural talents.
Stepping outside my comfort zone, I launched my business to serve clients with excellence and care. What began as MSD Events & Celebrations has now evolved into Graciously Crowned Events & Bookings — a name rooted in meaning and purpose. “Graciously” honors my mother, whose name means “God is gracious.” “Crowned” reflects the meaning of my own name, Stephanie, and “Book” ties back to a childhood nickname, now symbolizing both my love for learning and the nature of my business: bookings.
As your coordinator, my mission is to ensure you feel celebrated, stress-free, and truly honored throughout your wedding journey. You’ve waited your whole life for this moment — and you deserve to feel like royalty. I’m here to make that happen with intention, creativity, and care.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship—whether personal or professional. Without trust between individuals, it becomes nearly impossible to build meaningful connections, conduct business effectively, or work together toward shared goals
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been two pivotal moments in my life when I struggled deeply with my mental and emotional well-being.
The first occurred early in my teaching career, during a time when I was battling undiagnosed and overwhelming OCD. The condition affected every area of my life, and I reached a point where I seriously contemplated ending it. What stopped me was the love and responsibility I felt for my dog at the time — I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her confused and alone. I also didn’t want to put that kind of pain on my parents. That moment became a turning point, and I’m incredibly grateful I chose to hold on.
The second time came years later, during my last divorce. I was devastated by the betrayal of infidelity and began internalizing the belief that I wasn’t worthy of love — especially after a similar experience in my first marriage. I felt invisible, like I didn’t matter. But instead of giving in to that darkness, I chose to fight for myself. I committed to personal growth and began a deep journey of healing, including confronting wounds from my childhood and rebuilding my self-worth.
That work changed everything. It not only helped me call in the love of my life, but it also gave me the strength and clarity to pursue my passion — launching two businesses that align with who I truly am. I now thrive both personally and professionally, and I’m proud of the woman I’ve become because I did the hard work to get here.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
What you see is what you get with me — I bring the same authenticity and integrity to both my personal and professional life. I believe in genuine connections, and I aim to work with clients and collaborators who value honesty, transparency, and mutual respect. If those values don’t align, I’m confident enough in my vision to know it’s okay to part ways.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would place a greater emphasis on self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gceventstx.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GCeventsandbookings
Image Credits
Me I took the pictures
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
