Cortnee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Let’s go back four and a half years. At this time, I am completely overwhelmed in my corporate position as a Director of Marketing and Events for a popular tourist and destination venue in Michigan. I have an addiction to doing too much. This role was nothing short of that. I was an interim General Manager at a second location, lead six departments at the first location, while selling, detailing and coordinating all of the weddings, social and business events that were attracted to both locations.

Four months later, a bride needed to speak with me. She would not speak with any of my assistants. Absolutely had to speak with me. The 30 minute call was 75% her hyperventilating about judged on a cupcake wedding cake and 25% event updates.

I wish I could have stayed on the phone with her more, but I had more work to get to. This is when I learned that I wanted to get into a career field that I could assist couples about ways to stay consistent with their day of expectation and budget from start to finish. I had one problem. No one was hiring for a wedding planner.

Most importantly, I did not want a job. I was on the hunt to for my soul’s purpose – how I could do the right thing beyond me. I had a conversation with my husband on starting my own business. We made the decision together to create and invest no matter what.

I knew the odds were against me and still feel as though they are at times. I am a black African American woman in a field that is not pre-dominantly of my own. The client wedding planning experience is about designing an experience they will not forget and overcoming negative generational experiences.

A great deal of the time the bride feels as though she has no one to really support her endeavors and truly be there for assistance – whatever she needs. My couples check off each box as a couple. This accomplishment is what makes me so proud.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started planning corporate and small social events in Washington, DC.

My passion for planning weddings began in 2017. I took a position out of my comfort zone as a wedding event manager in Michigan for a popular wedding venue. I absolutely loved it. It wasn’t the parties. It wasn’t the decorative concepts. I fell in love with the couples – connecting with the development of how those two individuals became a “we/they” and are now sitting in front of me.

This is why I decided to create Fancy Lane Weddings. I felt it was my responsibility to maintain the integrity of the minimally or excessively lavish event productions and support their life goals as well. The wedding is a momentous occasion in the timeline, but the marriage is also just as important and infinitely longer.

The Fancy Lane Wedding Events full-service and partial planning experience are about celebrating traditions, designing visual concepts, and forming a strong family and friend bond.

Many of the Fancy Lane Couples enjoy travelling, due to their profession and hobbies. Because of this, we have had the opportunity to travel along with our couples to execute their wedding dreams (from South Padre Island to Colorado Springs).

We specialize in timeless experiences and romance. It would not be us without weaving the warmth and detail that completes a fairytale.

I am an overachiever. I strive for all of my couples to enjoy their wedding planning process, incorporate time to still date one another and plan for their goals after the marriage. It is not just about the wedding events here. We care about the marriage. Structure is everything. Every move made is intentional. Because of this, we improve an area within our business structure every year to make meeting these goals easier.

We are your tribe and will always unapologetically tailor your wedding plans to what you want and no one else.

I need the experience to be an amusement and awe that makes the guest and family want to follow each vendor, so they can learn a little bit more.

Our full-service and partial planning have distinctive event production differences; I completely design the experience based on what the couple aims to achieve. However, our event management service still prioritizes placing the components booked into a sequence that guarantees an exceptional day of event results and support.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am actually experiencing a pivot point moment right now. 2022 was a vigorous year of simultaneous travel (multiple cities within one day and with the alternative being multiple states within a week. Although I am very thankful for the opportunities and memories, I have recognized that I need to create a balance around what personally brings me peace. This entire year has been a relentless sacrifice of that tranquility to achieve momentous work accomplishments.

Practicing healthy work-life boundaries are so important.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

My best and favorite source for new clients has been by word of mouth. My past clients and their families are blessings that continue to bless me ten-fold. I truly am grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fancylaneweddings.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/fancylaneweddings
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/fancylaneweddings
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/fancylaneweddings

Image Credits
Sweetnest Photography Tyton Photography James Portraits + Films Lauren Wood Photography For Joy Photography Ryan Coursey Photography Feather & Twine Photography Adrianne Michelle Photography