In late 2024, I was recruited by Hollie and Samuel Graves to serve as the Day-of Coordinator for their June 21, 2025 wedding at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA). From the start, I took a hands-on, detail-oriented approach to ensure their vision was brought to life exactly as they imagined. I met with Hollie multiple times leading up to the wedding to fully understand her aesthetic goals, desired atmosphere, and priorities for the celebration. During these meetings, we discussed floor plans, guest flow, decor elements, timeline development, and event logistics to ensure everything was aligned.
In the weeks before the wedding, I acted as the main point of contact for all event vendors. I coordinated final timelines, confirmed deliveries, and answered last-minute questions to ensure the event day would run smoothly.
Beyond the logistics, I was also responsible for assembling and managing a day-of support team. I recruited four individuals, all students in Cal Poly’s Event Planning program, and guided them through expectations and responsibilities for the day. This was my first time overseeing a team in a leadership capacity, and I focused on creating a calm, collaborative, and welcoming environment while maintaining professionalism with my team, vendors, and all guests involved.
On the day of the event, I directed my team through setup, cued music, lined up the wedding party for the processional, and managed the timeline to keep everything on track. I also took on key responsibilities such as safeguarding the marriage license, distributing vendor tips, and staying close to the couple to ensure they had everything they needed throughout the day.
To support the couple and help everyone stay present and stress-free, I carried a small emergency kit filled with wedding-day essentials. Items included hairspray, bobby pins, mouthwash, deodorant, and perfume—ready for anyone who needed a last-minute touch-up. These small, thoughtful details helped make the day feel seamless and cared for.
Coordinating this wedding was a pivotal experience that allowed me to put my planning and leadership skills into practice in a high-stakes, real-world setting. It strengthened my passion for creating seamless, memorable events and deepened my understanding of what it takes to support clients on one of the most meaningful days of their lives. I also used this event as the foundation for my senior project, where I earned a 4.0 for my comprehensive event analysis and application of communication theory. To view that analysis and learn more about my approach, please reference the this link.
