A Day With Lauren

I've been a freelance wedding day-of coordinator for almost 5 years now and, while some have heard of this title, I often get the question, "So what do you actually do? Are you a wedding planner?" And even though I'd dreamed of becoming Jennifer Lopez from the movie 'The Wedding Planner' and marrying Matthew McConaughey - the answer is no, I'm not a wedding planner (nor have I found my Matthew McConaughey).

A day-of coordinator is the person who ensures the vision of your wedding is executed - leaving you and your loved ones with no stress on your actual wedding day, which enables you to enjoy the months (or years) you spent planning it! Most commonly, as a day of coordinator, I will work with couples a few months in advance of their wedding to outline a detailed timeline of the day itself, understand the wedding theme and the vibe you're going for and establish myself as the point of contact for the venue and vendors on the actual day.

A DOC is more than decor set up and take down: it's the person that will shoulder the stresses of the day as well as deal with any uncontrollable surprises that may come up. I pride myself on the mantra of "figure it out" and work to earn the trust of the couple to make sure they feel confident with handing me that power and responsibility. We all know that regardless of all the planning you can do, unforeseen things can happen and, even if you have the most helpful aunts in the world, the last thing you want them to be doing on your wedding day is a late night ice or booze run, clearing plates when the servers go MIA or dealing the catering team on the shortage of bacon at brunch.

I work with every couple to determine how I can be of most value on the day or leading up to it. I love bouncing ideas about flowers, decor, when the parents should give their toast or the general timeline for the day. I come equipped to my weddings with a full "emergency kit": think sewing supplies, tide to go, clothes pins, a glue gun and more often than not my parents, who act as my lovely assistants. I will be the first on site at the venue and can help with take down if you need. Every wedding is unique and special in its own way and that's how I cater my services.

I truly love weddings and I love actually giving a couple the ability to enjoy their day to the fullest and have the best memories of their day. I hope I've given you some more insight into what a day-of coordinator actually does but if you have any more questions please get in touch! You can also read more from the amazing couples I've worked with in the past here.

And to quote the movie 'The Wedding Planner': "Love can't always be perfect, love is just love". This quote also applies to weddings: rain may pour, the cake may melt or the power may go out, but at the end of the day you're married to your person and you got to do it in front of your favourite people (I know, I'm making myself roll my eyes).