Kristy Gray

Kristy Gray I run your events. You run your business. Kandles by Kristy the whole story...

I stumbled upon candle making accidentally. And so Kandles by Kristy was born.....
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After years of working multiple jobs in hospitality and as a Fitness Trainer, I don't understand the concept of sitting still and relaxing at all! So when I started working FIFO (Fly In Fly Out) I had 2 weeks a month when I was at home, with my dog while everyone was at work, it was boring and after watching the same Kardashian re-runs on E! I decided I needed to channel my energy to something, bu

t what? Snuggles with Zoe, day dreaming about 'what more can I do'...

While I was at school I was always trying to start little side businesses and sell hand made items to my friends and teachers, even approaching the school principle at my primary school to see if I could set up a stall at lunch time. I guess Ive always had a drive to ‘do more’ and while I never applied myself 100% at school (sorry Mum), this drive has come through in other aspects of my life. If I'm going to do something Im going to do it well otherwise its not worth it for me. Fast forward to last year, and I'm sitting at home in our little apartment in Cronulla, watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians season 8, episode 10 for the 15th time, talking endless nonsense to Zoe - our Australian Bulldog, burning candles that Id spent a fortune on to help counter the doggy smell, when it hit me! I was spending upwards of $100 a month on candles that were either astronomically expensive or beautifully crafted but had little to no smell, and lets face it you buy a candle for the smell first and foremost, right? I immediately jumped head first into researching candles, type, colours, scents, costs, suppliers.....hours later Id decided I was going to give this a crack! Not only had I always been looking at ‘what else can I do’ but there has always been an element of being creative. I hadn't ‘created’ anything in a long time and exploring the world of candles sparked that deeply buried creative zest.

Hit FOLLOW for my unhinged event BTS and opinions! But seriously if even ONE of these sides feels like you’ve been seen/...
26/08/2026

Hit FOLLOW for my unhinged event BTS and opinions!

But seriously if even ONE of these sides feels like you’ve been seen/slapped in the face/caught out - WE NEED TO TALK!

You’re not supposed to be stressed, loosing sleep, sweating balls, ALONE planning or running your event (trust me I’ve been there, and it ended in almost ending me!).

Imagine walking in, to room is set, your creating content, sipping coffee and fully ready to dive into the day / night with your people.

NEVER even having to think about when the coffee van is arriving, where the hell the bar tender went, who’s able to help the caterer with parking. THESE and the 183747493 other decisions and thoughts on event day ARENT YOUR PROBLEM.

They are mine! I’ve planning and managed over 100 events from small 10 person workshops, 20 guest multi day retreats, festivals and concerts. I’m here to be support you, think for you, make decisions for you - LOOK AFTER YOU!

On the 1st September I’m no longer taking new clients, so if you think you need support for your next event - BOOK A CALL NOW! (Link in bio).

But first, tell me below 👇🏼 which slide hit home the
most?

25/08/2026

The real behind the scenes of what goes on when planning events!

Sometimes things come together over night. Other times it’s weeks of sleepless nights at 2am google searches.

What would you have done in this situation?

And if you’re here for all the tea, make sure your following for more BTS of my crazy events world!

I got DUMPED and I spiralled…. And it wasn’t by a romantic interest - I did it to myself! Years of events BACK TO BACK T...
24/08/2026

I got DUMPED and I spiralled….

And it wasn’t by a romantic interest - I did it to myself!

Years of events BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BACK, with no space between to breathe, calm, regulate.

And the fall out - days on end where I couldn’t face the outside world, answer the phone, I couldn’t barely respond to an email. I felt like a fu***ng failure.

This is the unspoken flip side of the amazing events you usually only see the best parts of. No one’s talking about the post event tiredness that’s deeper than your bones, and fog that settles over you and you can’t seem to find your way out of.

Planning, running and managing events is A LOT, and I FU***NG love what I’ve create for my clients and the life I’ve created for myself in this space. But this post event dump is often the cost that most planners won’t tell you about.

If you’ve got a business friend who’s planning a brand activation, podcast launch, retreat, *insert every other event type here*, CHECK ON YOUR FRIENDS 🙏🏻

And if YOURE planning an event, and are already feeling th pressure - SEND ME A DM and let’s share that load.

Remember you’re on your own in this!

Tag your event besties below and let’s support each other, because this s**t was never meant to be done alone! ❤️

19/08/2026

Little life update…

Sometimes you just feel like s**t! AND THATS OK!

3 years ago I dreamt of this life…the team, the space, the time alone, the FREEDOM!

And now that it’s here? I still feel ick? Not because it isn’t great, but because I’ve probably not accepted this is actually my reality now - and it’s actually ok to enjoy it!

This really has nothing to do with events or planning events or anything like that, but a reminder that we are fu***ng HUMANS! And it’s ok to have days (or weeks) that feel a bit off.

So this week I’m choosing to bring you along with me while I find my spark again!

And if you’re going through it, you’re not alone! My DM’s are always open!

Love always
K xx

Event management would be a lot easier if every client wanted the exact same thing.Thankfully, they don’t, coz thats f* ...
02/06/2026

Event management would be a lot easier if every client wanted the exact same thing.

Thankfully, they don’t, coz thats f* boring! 😏

This week alone I’ve jumped between:

✨ Community fundraising events
✨ Women’s wellness experiences
✨ Corporate event coordination
✨ Wedding industry support
✨ Long table lunches

One minute I’m sourcing venues.

The next I’m reviewing run sheets.

Then I’m coordinating suppliers, brainstorming experiences, troubleshooting logistics or figuring out how to turn a half-baked idea into something people will rave about.

And honestly?

That’s exactly why I love it.

Because events aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Every audience is different.
Every business is different.
Every event has a different purpose.

The secret isn’t having a pretty spreadsheet (although I do nerd out on a good spreadsheet 🤓).

It’s having someone in your corner who can see the big picture while managing all the tiny details that make the whole thing work.

If you’ve got an event idea floating around in your brain but no clue where to start, let’s chat.

📩 Send me a DM with the word EVENT or book a free Let’s Chat Events call.

Follow along for more behind-the-scenes event chaos, confessions and planning magic.

28/05/2026

Now more than ever your community are SCREAMING out for more IN PERSON events.

MORE connection
MORE interaction
MORE access to YOU

If you’re not hosting in person events for your small business you’re leaving more than money on the table!

Your leaving trust
Your leaving future clients
Your leaving opportunities

So if you’ve got a fire in your belly but no f* clue how to bring it all together, book a call now! (Link in bio)

POV: You’re setting up a wedding and suddenly the furniture truck disappears into the Australian wilderness.Confessions ...
27/05/2026

POV: You’re setting up a wedding and suddenly the furniture truck disappears into the Australian wilderness.

Confessions of an Event Manager Volume #5

People see the finished event.
The candles lit. The tables styled. The guests arriving. The calm energy.

What they DON’T see is the absolute chaos happening behind the scenes to make it all look effortless.

This wedding venue was a complete blank slate.
No furniture. No plates. No cutlery. No tables. No chairs. Nothing.

And when the delivery truck was over an hour late with zero contact… panic started creeping in REAL fast.

Turns out?

The truck had hit TWO emus on the backroads coming into the venue and lost phone service in the middle of nowhere while dealing with the situation.

Meanwhile, my team and I were onsite preparing for absolute disaster mode if needed.

And yet somehow…
everything was unpacked, styled, set, and ready before guests arrived.

The bride never knew.
The guests never knew.
And honestly? That’s the whole point.

A good event manager isn’t just there to make things look pretty.
We’re there to problem solve, think ten steps ahead, pivot under pressure, and protect the experience while the chaos gets handled quietly in the background.

Anyway.
Shoutout to the emus for almost becoming wedding guests 🫠

If you’re planning an event and want someone in your corner when s**t inevitably goes sideways — let’s chat, link in bio

26/05/2026

Everyone wants the sold-out event…
Until it’s time to actually host one 😂🔥

Hosting an in-person event is basically just:
✨ “This could change my business.”
🤢 “I’m going to throw up.”
💃 “OMG I’m so excited.”
🫠 “What the f**k am I doing?”

And honestly?
That means you’re probably onto something.

The best events aren’t built by people who feel “ready.”
They’re built by women bold enough to back themselves before they have all the answers.

Your job?
Show up and be the magic.

My job?
Handle the chaos, timelines, vendors, logistics and all the “oh s**t” moments behind the scenes 💅💁🏼‍♀️

I run your events.
You run your business.

DM me “EVENTS” if your nervous system is screaming but your heart is saying yes 😏

Address

Panania, NSW

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