Picture a Southern belle who swapped wedding veils for witty novels, spinning tales of love and chaos—meet Mary Hollis Huddleston! A Nashville native, she’s taken her flair for orchestrating high-end weddings and transformed it into a literary love affair with Southern charm. Her novels, brimming with humor and heart, invite readers into the dazzling, drama-filled world of luxury nuptials while celebrating the art of effortless entertaining.
With a knack for turning real-life wedding mishaps into page-turning stories, Mary has carved a unique niche in contemporary fiction. Her journey from event planner to novelist is as captivating as her books, blending Southern hospitality with a modern twist. Let’s dive into the life and works of this delightful storyteller!
The Making of Mary Hollis Huddleston
Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Mary Hollis Huddleston grew up watching her mother and grandmother host with effortless grace, sparking her love for entertaining. After graduating from Texas Christian University with a degree in broadcast journalism, she took a serendipitous turn into event planning. A senior-year class on the business of weddings ignited her passion, leading her to Dallas, where she honed her skills at Diamond Affairs Weddings and Todd Events. Eight years, one marriage, and a baby later, she returned to Nashville, co-founding Please Be Seated, a premier event rental company, with her husband in 2014.
Her career in event planning wasn’t just about logistics; it was a masterclass in storytelling through celebration. This creativity spilled over into her lifestyle platform, Mrs. Southern Social, where she shares tips for modern, stress-free entertaining. But it was her leap into fiction that truly set her apart, blending her insider knowledge with a sharp, humorous pen.
Mary Hollis Huddleston’s Unforgettable Stories
Mary’s debut novel, Without a Hitch (2021), co-written with journalist Asher Fogle Paul, is a riotous romp through the high-stakes world of Southern weddings. The story follows Lottie Jones, a twentysomething wedding planner navigating extravagant clients and personal heartbreak. Inspired by Mary’s own experiences, the book sparkles with over-the-top characters and laugh-out-loud mishaps, earning praise for its charming take on chick lit.
The sequel, Piece of Cake (2023), shifts focus to Claire Sommers, a former debutante turned wedding magazine editor. Tasked with saving her publication through a reality show-style docuseries, Claire’s journey is packed with Southern flair, from Elvis impersonators to family drama. Critics lauded the novel’s character development and its fresh spin on romance, making it a delicious follow-up.
Mary’s writing style is light yet poignant, weaving humor with themes of self-discovery and resilience. Her novels capture the extravagance of Southern culture while grounding stories in relatable struggles, appealing to fans of Sophie Kinsella and Meg Cabot. Through her lens, weddings become a backdrop for exploring love, ambition, and finding one’s place in a chaotic world.
Why Mary Hollis Huddleston Matters
Mary Hollis Huddleston’s impact lies in her ability to make the glamorous accessible. Her novels demystify the world of luxury weddings, inviting readers to laugh at the absurdity while rooting for her plucky heroines. Beyond fiction, her Mrs. Southern Social platform champions delegation, empowering busy women to host with ease—a modern twist on Southern hospitality that resonates widely.
Her work has been featured in Southern Living, StyleBlueprint, and NFocus Magazine, cementing her as a voice for contemporary Southern women. By blending her event-planning expertise with storytelling, Mary has redefined entertaining as an art form that’s both aspirational and achievable, leaving a lasting mark on readers and party-throwers alike.
- Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
- Key Works: Without a Hitch (2021), Piece of Cake (2023)
- Notable Venture: Co-founder of Please Be Seated
- Platform: Mrs. Southern Social, focused on modern entertaining
Snag Without a Hitch and dive into Mary Hollis Huddleston’s hilarious, heartwarming world of Southern weddings!