The best decision we made for our wedding – hands down.
Planning a wedding is overwhelming under the best of circumstances — now imagine doing it from across the ocean, in a country you don’t live in, without knowing a single vendor or local custom. That was us. We’re based in Chicago and hosted our wedding in the English countryside, and Lauren was truly the only reason it all came together so beautifully.
From day one, Lauren was our anchor. I had very little understanding of what goes into planning a wedding behind the scenes, but she guided us through every step — from identifying vendors that fit our aesthetic and budget to walking us through UK-specific nuances and even flagging the little things I would never have thought of (custom welcome signs, sourcing local treats for our gift bags, backup marquee in case it rained, etc.). She took the time to explain what was typical, what wasn’t, and what might matter to us. She helped us shape a wedding that felt entirely personal and seamless, even when we were indecisive, last-minute, or just plain clueless.
What stood out most, beyond her organization and taste, was how incredibly present and responsive she was. I truly felt like I was her only client — she never made us feel like a burden, even when we were changing decisions. And when the big weekend arrived, she handled everything as our day-of coordinator across all three events — our Chinese tea ceremony, welcome dinner, and wedding day — with grace, calm, and absolute control.
And yes, like every wedding, we had some chaotic day-of surprises. Our seating chart wasn’t printed (oops), and my veil was a wrinkled mess. Somehow, in the middle of the countryside, Lauren found a local print shop to turn around a massive seating chart, and sourced multiple steamers to get my veil looking perfect. She even ran up behind me as I started down the aisle to “floof” my veil for the photos. That moment captures exactly the kind of planner she is — always watching, always caring, always making it better.
Our wedding was more beautiful and joyful than I could have imagined, and we owe so much of that to Lauren. She has the rare ability to combine logistical precision with creative intuition and a deeply human, warm touch.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, behind, indecisive, or unsure where to start — or if you just want someone truly exceptional in your corner — look no further than Lauren Alway. I cannot thank her enough, and I hope every couple is lucky enough to have someone like her on their team.
- Cindy & Raj, Babington House