Katy Lanham shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Katy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I AM up at 5:30AM with my husband and Rottweiler Max. I quickly check email and prep us for the gym, while Max takes my husband on his morning walk. I head to the gym for at least 45 minutes and then head home before starting my full time job. THEN after the work day, I transition to Day of Duo Mode!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Katy Lanham, Co-founder and co-coordinator of Day of Duo, a boutique wedding coordination company specializing in seamlessly executing a couple’s most important day. My business partner, Kelsey, and I have been best friends since college, and we have different skills that pair perfectly to make sure you have all your bases covered on wedding day.
We’re known for our attention to detail, calm yet commanding presence, and the ability to handle the unexpected with grace. Every wedding is unique, and we strive to ensure that our clients’ personalized style and vision is reflected on their wedding day, allowing our clients’ to be fully present while we handle every moving part behind the scenes.
Right now, we’re working on hosting more happy hour and vendor events for engaged couples, expanding our preferred vendor network and creating more curated, high-touch planning experiences that turn a wedding day into an unforgettable work of art.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me how to properly shake hands with an employer or someone you want to impress. Let me tell you, it often throws off the person that I’m talking to and I have many times received a compliment on my handshake and eye contact.
Also, you never know where you will end up. Relationships matter, and how you treat those you work with and your clients matters. People are always watching and you will have a reputation whether you curate it or not.
Be proud of your work, step up when you make mistakes, and be kind.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
“Don’t be cocky”
Having this be told to me make me be quiet and not celebrate my victories like I should have. They were expectations that I achieved, so nothing to celebrate. It made me not want to get on stage like I wanted to, not speak up in meetings and I was worried someone would think I was just being “Cocky” when I’m excited about something I have done.
So, I stopped believing it. “I’m confident, not cocky.” I know I don’t brag, I only want others to celebrate with me and there is nothing wrong with celebrating an achievement. I still hear “don’t be cocky” in my head, but I actively push it down and focus on who and what makes me happy.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
“I shouldn’t post something online if it isn’t perfect. It has to get at least 1K likes to be a success.” There is so much content being put out nowadays, and it’s hard to keep up or even think you could make a dent in the industry with so many fish in the sea.
However I realized I do not want to be viral, I don’t want to even be national…..I only want to be regionally and locally known.
So that’s where my focus needs to be. We stay in contact with Maryland venues and their open houses, we network with hair stylists and beauty folks so that we can know what brides are concerned for (lots of talking happens in the beauty chair), and we connect with other coordinators. Why do we connect with other coordinators? Because there are multiple weddings on any given weekend in the year…..one coordinator can’t do them all. So having a network of local, trusted vendors to refer is very important.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That it was easy.
I am very fortunate, I have a large loving family, I have friends who have stuck by me for years, I have a Bachelors degree and I am planning to go back for my Masters. I was homecoming queen, I traveled throughout my 20’s for my job and married when I was 30, just like I planned for myself. I have my health and a
To some, it looks I was gifted a lot or I was just hitting the usual milestones. Those in my inner circle know how much I have had to battle with my own mental health. From learning about having PCOS that effects my hormones’ and moods, to recently learning I have ADHD. Every success in my life came with a battle of getting through anxiety, negative thoughts and learning to be kind to myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dayofduo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayofduo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/day-of-duo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Day-of-Duo-Wedding-Coordination/100088958409232/
Image Credits
Atalie Day Photography
Cheasapeake Charm Photo
JL3 Creative
Whats Up Media
