Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Middleton.
Hi Mariah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was 18 years old I was 5 months pregnant & rushing to plan a wedding. My husband and I always knew we would get married but we were on our own timeline. We suddenly decided we wanted to be married before our baby girl arrived. At 5 months pregnant, working part time and completely overwhelmed, I planned my entire wedding in 3 months.
The last wedding in my family was my parents, which was 20 years earlier. We had no idea what we were doing, so much had changed since then. I was exhausted mentally and physically, I didn’t get to enjoy the process the way I hoped, I was in full survivle mode just trying to make it happen.
Years later I helped a friend plan her wedding and something just suddenly clicked. I loved it. I loved being the person that she leaned on for an honest opinion, creative ideas and to calm her when she felt anxious, I loved looking at different ideas for the decor, the timeline and the details. And I realized, I was really good at it.
She didn’t have a day of coordinator, so as her matron of honor I stepped into the role, naturally. On her wedding day she handed me her phone and trusted me completely. I was directing vendors, telling the photographer where to park, texting the groomsmen to keep them on schedule, all while getting my hair and makeup done. I was thriving in the chaos. Multitasking, problem solving and keeping everything moving so she could enjoy her day.
Thats why I started Bay & Barn.
I started it for the couples that are overwhelmed. For the first ones in their family to get married. For the ones juggling jobs, life and love trying to pull off one of the biggest dats of their lives with no experience and no clue where to start.
What once felt overwhelming became the foundation of Bay & Barn, because I know what it’s like to need someone who truly understands.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every new experience comes with it’s challenges, Bay & Barn has been no exception. I’ve learned quickly that nothing is perfect and thats ok. It’s about allowing that experience to teach you something, learning to grow and pivot to do it better next time.
One challenge is starting a business with no upfront funding. Building everything from the ground up meant that I had to be stategic and patient. Finding clients and proving my capabilities without a portfolio or reviews was a struggle but I stayed focused and confident.
What’s important is that the challenges don’t stop you, they push you to keep going forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Bay & Barn specializes in day of wedding coordination, stepping in so couples can fully enjoy their wedding without the stress. We’re known for immediately jumping into action, reviewing every detail with both the client and their vendors, catching discrepancies before they become problems and fiixing them quickly when they do.
What sets Bay & Barn apart is the level of care and ownership we bring to each wedding. Every event is treated with the same attention and urgency as our own. I focus on being hands on, calm and fully present behind the scenes so couple don’t have to be.
One a personal level, I’m most proud of having the courage to start my own business and continuing to push myself while still working full time and raising a family. Bay & Barn was built to be flexible, affordable and supportive of couples with different budgets and visions because every couple deserves to feel confident and taken care of on their wedding day.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
My dedication. When I committ to something I give it my full attention and follow through. I don’t cut corners and I don’t walk away when things are diffcult, I’m committed to my clients and the work I do, which is essentional in this indsutry where trust and reliability matter the most.
Contact Info:
- Website: baynbarn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bay_n_barn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bay-Barn-Event-Planning/61576287262721/
