This week’s Meets interview is a rather special one for me. On the 30th May 2024, I married my beau, Steven Letham at The Tithe Barn in Old Ditcham near Petersfield. This was my dream wedding. You only do it once and we did it well. But we also had a helping hand from a fabulous wedding planner to make our day 100% fabulous. Laura Jayne is the founder and Chief Planner at Your Wedding, Your Way and that is who I want to introduce you to today.
Laura Jayne runs the boutique wedding consultancy from Kent in the South of England and is wedding fairy godmother. She recently re-launched her website with an amazing new brand and I am delighted that mine and Steven’s wedding features so heavily within it. Laura Jayne got my style for wedding (French vintage country chic since you asked) and it fits her style perfectly too for her re-brand.
A day in the life of a wedding planner
Laura Jayne has a fabulous eye for detail, she is fabulously organised, so so calm, practical (she rustled up a buttonhole in minutes when we had forgotten my brother’s on the day!). As your wedding planner Laura Jayne is a perfect addition to your wedding who will make sure everything from the wedding invitations, seating plan, timing of speeches and those magic styling touches are everything you wished for your big day. Essentially, as your wedding planner, Laura Jayne will save you time, stress and could even save you money.
Laura Jayne, Chief Planner at Your Wedding Your Way
Photo by Claire Graham
So let’s find out more about the day in the life of a wedding planner;
What encouraged you to get into this industry and what was your route into it?
Following my own wedding in 2019, I found myself slightly* (*completely) obsessed with all things wedding. With a strong sense of organisation always being a particular skill of mine, I decided on honeymoon to look into becoming a wedding planner when we got home. I then looked into courses, found the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners and it went from there!
What is a typical working day for you?
My days vary massively. Some days I can be out and about searching for new venues, meeting couples or suppliers or I can be at home in my office researching, sourcing, creating, preparing, emailing and organising. Other days I am working in a school as a primary school teacher or looking after my 6 month old nephew. As well as weddings, I work on corporate events and conferences and manage all of their social media too – so ‘typical’ isn’t really in my vocabulary!
Laura Jayne, Wedding Planner in action! Photo by Kelly Swan of Shooting Suzie
Where are you based, how much of an inspiration is your city and what are your favourite cities around the world?
I live on the outskirts of London and can be in the centre of the city in 20 minutes. I love the variety and mix of cultures and I discover new bits every time I go into town. I also love Paris, San Francisco, New York, Miami – they’re all such rich cities in so many different ways.
Have you seen your industry change in the last few years? Have you had to adapt?
The wedding industry is constantly changing as are the ways to market yourself. I hadn’t even heard of Instagram when I started, I’m not sure if it was even around, but now it is a major tool for me. Wedding are so visual – it’s all about the colour theme, style, flowers, cakes – what would we do without Pinterest and Instagram now?
Photo by Dominique Bader
What’s the most rewarding part of your work? What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
Seeing everything come together on the wedding day, seeing a happy and stress-free couple and getting their feedback afterwards – makes it all worthwhile. I guess that’s my greatest accomplishments too.
What is next for you? What are your goals for 2024?
I have recently left my full time career as a teacher to pursue my business. That was my main goal for 2024 and I’ve made the leap – now to put everything into making sure it all goes to plan!
Quick Fire Round
How would you describe yourself in three words? Laidback, organised, dedicated
Who would play you in a movie about your life? Emily Blunt
Who is your ultimate style icon? Kate Middleton – love her classic style.
Bonus Question – if you didn’t do the job you do now – what would be your dream job and where?
I’m obsessed with afternoon tea so in the future I’d love to somehow combine a tea room with my wedding business.
Make sure that you follow Your Wedding, Your Way on Instagram to get that much needed inspiration for your wedding and your can see all the fabulous weddings she has helped to bring together.
This summer I will be finally revealing the fabulousness of our French vintage country (with a Scottish twist) wedding so more of Laura Jayne’s fabulous work will appear then.
Here’s a sneak peak from the talented Rebecca Douglas Photography. You can see more the Presents instagram feed too.
Main feature image copyright Dominic Whiten