A WEDDING planner from Heswall has been awarded a prestigious title in recent industry awards.
Lauren Uzzell, the owner of LMJ Weddings and Events, won the title of North West Wedding Planner of the Year at the 2023 Wedding Industry Awards.
The local businesswoman was inspired to become a wedding planner after being chosen to be a bridesmaid 13 times.
Lauren told the Globe: “I thought after helping my friends for free, it was about time I made a living from it.”
Lauren began her venture just before the onset of the Covid pandemic, in 2019, following the tragic death of her aunt.
She said: “My inspiration to start LMJ was my Auntie Fran. We were really close and she called me the daughter she never had.
“She suffered for many years with MS and cancer. She had always pushed me and said I should be a wedding planner because I was the most organized person she knew.
“She was an inspiration, fighting her illness until she finally lost her battle in July 2019. Her passing really was a wake-up call that you only get one chance at following your dreams.
“The month after she passed away, I made a decision to follow my little dream and started up LMJ weddings and events to follow a lifelong passion.”
Lauren helps couples plan their big day from full wedding planning to providing a helping hand running things successfully.
She specializes in dry-hire wedding venues, at-home weddings, marquees, and tipi weddings, coordinating suppliers and acting as the master of ceremonies.
Lauren’s business has gone from strength to strength over the past three years, with a clutch of top wedding industry awards making her very sought after for her services. She has been awarded the North Wales Wedding Planner of the Year in 2021 and was then the Prestige Wedding Awards winner in 2022.
Speaking of being named as the North West Wedding Planner of the Year 2023, Lauren said: “Winning TWIA awards has given me a real confidence boost.
“It also reassures future couples that I am trusted, well respected, and good at what I do, because it’s based on reviews from past clients.
“I started my company wanting to help couples who struggled with the balance of work, family life and then planning a wedding.
“I wanted to offer a helping hand and to be there to support couples.
“It has been a really tough few years for the wedding industry and I am overwhelmed to have won this award.
“I’ve worked so hard to build my company despite the challenges of Covid 19 and to finally be able to provide my clients with the weddings they deserve is a dream come true.
“I believe I offer a great balance between a wedding planner and a friend. My couples often say that I am just a normal human being, girl-next-door, but with the best organization skills.”
