Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Zigman.
Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I always thought I wanted to own my own bakery. When I was 15, I took an unpaid job at a local bakery washing dishes to gain insight on how to run a bakery. While there, I started to learn my love for working with people, especially when it came to talking about the events that they ordered cakes for. Immediately, I was hooked and knew right away that the hospitality industry was the one for me. From there, I quickly learned that I enjoyed eating desserts more than making them, but realized my love for planning details. After my time at the bakery, I went onto learning banquets at a country club, because I knew if I wanted to plan events, I needed to learn how to work them first.
I went on to graduate from the University of Missouri with a degree in Hospitality Management Conference and Event Planning. The rest was history. I started as an intern learning the ropes of high-end weddings in St. Louis, and rose to designing luxury fêtes with six-figure wedding budgets. I learned the ins and outs of every venue in town and created connections with the best local vendors, many of whom I continue to work with today.
Post college-graduation, I worked for Marriott International. However, during the pandemic, I got furloughed and moved home to St. Louis. It was in this time I realized the only events that were being planned were weddings- the events I enjoyed most. And that is how LZ Event Co was born!
Now, I own and operate LZ Event Co., where my team and I work hard to bring our clients’ visions to life, and have fun in the process – it is a celebration after all! In my “day job” I work as the Event Planner for the Le Meridien – I guess you could say this is my passion!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Starting a business during a global pandemic was certainly not the easiest path. However, with my network in the St. Louis Events industry, I felt that I had a lot of support along the way. In reality, I was able to take total advantage of having the time during my furlough to really research aspects of owning a business and growing my skills as a planner.
My biggest challenge has been creating a balancing act between my business, my “day job” and my personal life. Event planning is my life and passion. Sometimes, I struggle turning that part of my brain off. However, my planning side is my creative side, so I try to incorporate that creativity into my personal life as well.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
LZ Event Co is a wedding and design company that showcases new perspectives on your celebrations. We have a passion to visualize our couples personalities in real time. What we love most is working one-on-one with our wonderful couples – creating the wedding you’ve always dreamed of and celebrating every step of the way.
My approach is to take coastal trends and bring them to the Midwest in a new light. As a planner, my goal is to take unique aspects of each couple, their humor, taste buds & heart, and bring them to life in their wedding. I do this through thoughtfully crafted details and an extensive connection to the best local vendors.
Extraordinary experience tailored to our couples is what I strive for when creating moments to last a lifetime. I am most proud of making each wedding true to my couple.
LZ Event Co specializes in Full Planning & Design but we also offer Partial Event Planning and Wedding & Event Management.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have had so many incredible supporters and cheerleaders throughout my career. However, I credit so much of what I know to Josie Littlepage of Cosmopolitan Events. Through working with Josie, I learned a lot about wedding planning, especially luxury weddings. She has been a great teacher and someone I really admire when it comes to a widely successful career in this business.
When working for Cosmopolitan Events, I made a lot of connections through the St. Louis Events Industry. When I moved back and announced my business, I felt I was welcomed with open arms. I am so happy to be working with so many incredible talents through LZ Event Co.
Lastly, my family and friends have been my #1 cheerleaders. A lot of my drive for what I do stems from them. They supported me since day one and I cannot be more grateful for that support system.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@lz-eventco.com
- Website: http://lz-eventco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lzeventco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lzeventco
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/lzeventco/
Image Credits
Claire Forrest Films
Lily Notz Photography
Elizabeth Reiher Photography
Joan Fisher Photography
