LJ Coordinare

Service levels: Full-service planning

Team size: 1 – 5

About LJ Coordinare

LJ Coordinare

Wedding Planner + Coordinator

Congrats, lovebirds! Based in Northern Michigan, we help couples from near and far plan weddings that reflect their story. From thoughtful guidance to seamless coordination, we make the planning process clear, calm, fun, and fully focused on celebrating your love.

We don’t just plan weddings — we help shape the celebration you actually want. We listen, understand your story, and design an experience that feels truly yours. From vendor matches to intentional details, we guide every step with care and creativity. Our hands-on coordination ensures every moment, whether you’re local or traveling to celebrate, is executed thoughtfully, letting you fully enjoy the day. This story-first approach is what sets LJC apart.

In three words: Creative, Fun, Organized

Best of Zola 2026

Services by planning level

Service included in starting price
Service available for an extra cost
Full-service planningDay-of coordination / wedding managementA la carte
Description

The Wedding Experience is for couples who want elevated planning support, guidance, and a personalized experience throughout the wedding process. From logistics and vendor communication to guest experience and overall flow, I help bring your vision to life while keeping planning organized, enjoyable, and stress-free from start to finish.

You’ve planned the wedding — now let someone you trust run it. Wedding Management is for couples who want professional support leading into and throughout the wedding day. Beginning 3 months prior, I step in to manage logistics, vendors, timeline flow, and behind-the-scenes coordination so you can stay present and enjoy the experience without handling the stress.

Premier Wedding Management includes everything from Wedding Management with added rehearsal coordination plus décor setup and teardown for extra hands-on support throughout the celebration. Perfect for couples who want a more seamless, supported experience without full planning while still enjoying a calm, fun, and organized process.

Planning begins12 Months out3 Months out3 Months out
Venue Recommendations
Vendor Management
Contract Review
Venue Visits
Final Venue Walkthrough
Timeline Creation & Management
Onsite Event Management
Event Styling & Design
Budget Planning
Vendor Selection
Invites & Stationery
RSVP Tracking
Wedding Website
Accommodation Coordination
Transportation Coordination
Wedding Favors & Accessories
PricingStarts at $6,500Starts at $1,500Starts at $4,500

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 4.9

4.9 out of 5

8 reviews

  • JL

    Julia L.

    Rating: 5
    •Jun 26, 2026

    BEST DECISION EVER!

    Wedding 5/30/26 Gypsy Distillery Without Leah our wedding would not have been so amazing and gone so smoothly! From the moment we met her, she was so friendly, personable, and easy to work with. She went above and beyond in every aspect of the planning process. She was incredibly organized and attentive to every detail, making sure everything came together perfectly on our wedding day. Behind the scenes, she kept everything running smoothly, allowing us to be fully present and enjoy every moment with our family and friends. Our wedding was the best day of our lives and it would have not have been what it was without Leah! I could not recommend her enough! We are so grateful for her!

  • MK

    Marissa K.

    Rating: 4
    •Jun 23, 2026

    Absolute gem!

    Throughout our entire wedding process, Leah was attentive, reassuring, detail oriented, genuine, and so fun to work with. Her communication was clear and timely, and she was always available to offer her help. There was a handful of times we reached out to vendors and realized Leah had already spoken to them to make our meetings and communications more seamless. Our venue was not typically used for weddings, but you would have never known that because of how much Leah helped ensure everything was smooth. On the wedding day, Leah and Shelby were so calm, proactive, and jumped in to help without being over-bearing. Our vendors adored working with them- and they made our friends and families feel so seen. They checked in at times to see if we needed anything, and were so humble in the work done. Our wedding was truly magical, and we cannot thank Leah and her team enough.

  • NF

    Nicole F.

    Rating: 5
    •Sep 15, 2025

    Exceptional!

    We hired Leah for day-of coordination, as well as setup and tear-down. She was absolutely amazing! Her communication was consistent leading up to the big day, and she made sure everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Thanks to Leah I was able to fully enjoy my day without stress! I truly couldn’t have done it without her and can’t recommend her enough!

    Leah James•Sep 15, 2025

    Nicole, thank you so much for sharing this! It was such a pleasure to help bring your day together and make sure everything flowed seamlessly. I’m so glad you were able to relax and enjoy every moment—that’s exactly what I want for my couples. Wishing you both all the happiness in this new chapter!

  • RT

    Rachel T.

    Rating: 5
    •Sep 15, 2025

    A perfect day!

    Leah was a lifesaver! She talked me down from panic when it looked like rain was coming, and made sure we had contingencies in place no matter what. It was a perfect day, and I couldn't have done it without Leah!

    Leah James•Sep 15, 2025

    It was such a joy to be part of your wedding day. I’m so glad I could help ease those weather worries and make sure everything went smoothly. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness!

  • RY

    Rachel Y.

    Rating: 5
    •Sep 2, 2025

    Leah was an amazing day of coordinator!

    She helped ensure the entire day went smoothly. She helped our bridal party know when to walk during the ceremony, assisted with decor, coordinated with all vendors, and so much more. I’m so thankful we had Leah to help take the stress of day of activities off of friends and family. Thanks Leah!

Preferred vendors of LJ Coordinare

Quick responder
Venue
Castle Farms
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
Charlevoix, MI
Band/DJ
Rusch Entertainment
Rating: 5.0 (11 reviews)
Freeland, MI
Starts at $1,850
Florist
Sweet Water Floral
Venue
Vernales Restaurant
Harbor Springs, MI
Yes — and we love to. While we specialize in weddings throughout Michigan and across the Midwest, we also travel to select locations across the U.S. and destination areas. Travel is thoughtfully planned and clearly outlined in your proposal so you know exactly what to expect — no surprises, just smooth planning wherever your celebration takes place. Planning something outside these areas? Reach out — if it’s meaningful to you, it’s worth the conversation.
That’s totally okay! We actually love walking into a space with fresh eyes! No two venues operate the same (even the same one can change over time), and we’re pros at adapting and bringing new ideas to the table. We’ve worked in all kinds of spaces and know how to quickly build relationships with staff, vendors, and teams to make sure your day runs smoothly and beautifully, no matter the setting.
As soon as you’ve set a date—or even if you just have one in mind—it’s a good time to reach out. For full planning or design, the sooner the better so we can dive in and guide you every step of the way. For day-of/month-of coordination, we recommend booking at least 4–6 months before your wedding. It gives us time to get to know you, your vendors, and your vision—so everything feels seamless. Dates fill up fast (especially during peak seasons), so don’t wait too long once that venue is locked in!
Each service begins with a base rate, which adjusts based on your guest count, location, and the overall scope of your wedding or event. Looking for an exact number? Simply fill out our contact form, and we’ll create a custom quote—personalized, transparent, and pressure-free.
STEP 1: Let's Chat After you reach out, we’ll schedule a relaxed inquiry call to learn about you, your story, and what you're dreaming up for the big day. It's our chance to get to know each other and see if we’re a perfect match. STEP 2: Lock It In If it feels right (we hope it does!), we’ll send over your contract and invoice. A retainer officially secures your date on our calendar.
Short answer: yes & not just because it’s what we do—but because your time, energy & experience are worth protecting. Budget Guidance: With access to our trusted network of vendors across all price points, we make sure your budget works smarter (not harder) without sacrificing your vision. Expert Organization: We keep everything in one place using Aisle Planner, a luxury-level planning platform. Elevated Design: We live and breathe weddings — which means we bring creative ideas, curated style, and intentional design to every celebration. Stress Relief: We’re here to take the pressure off and manage the behind-the-scenes, so you don't have to!
Wedding Management includes day-of coordination only — we step in to manage vendors, timeline, and logistics so your wedding day runs smoothly. Premier Wedding Management includes day-of coordination, rehearsal coordination, décor setup, and teardown support for more hands-on coverage.
For Michigan weddings, travel fees apply for events over 30 miles from Harbor Springs, and overnight lodging may be required. Holiday weekends are billed at holiday rates. Destination weddings include travel expenses for a seamless experience, but accommodations must be within your room block or at the same property as you or your guests. Any additional travel, extended hours, or delays will be communicated and reflected in your proposal or final invoice.
Absolutely! If your wedding weekend includes rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, post-wedding brunches, or other celebrations, we can manage them all. From planning and timelines to vendor coordination and day-of execution, we ensure every event flows seamlessly—so you and your guests can fully enjoy a stress-free, unforgettable weekend.
For nearly all of our packages, except Wedding Management and Elope/Micro Weddings, your day will be supported by one lead coordinator and one assistant, ensuring every detail is executed flawlessly. Additional assistants can be added as needed for larger or more complex events, with any extra fees clearly outlined in your proposal.
We make staying connected easy and organized. You’ll have access to our HoneyBook planning portal and Aisle Planner, plus phone and video calls that are scheduled as needed. Emails and texts (if preferred) are responded to within 48 hours, so you always know where things stand. Our goal is clear, consistent communication that keeps your planning stress-free and seamless.
We strive to work within a variety of budgets while maintaining the high level of service, expertise, and attention to detail that defines our work. Our pricing reflects not only the wedding day, but the behind-the-scenes planning, vendor coordination, design guidance, and stress-free experience we provide. While we do our best to accommodate, there may be occasions where our services aren’t the perfect fit—and we’ll always be upfront and honest about that.
Certain services are outside our packages, including bussing tables, handling catering duties, returning rentals, cleaning, or assembling/disassembling furniture. Linens require bags and cleared tables; any extra tasks will be billed to the card on file. These services can be arranged as add-ons. Clear boundaries ensure every element of your wedding is handled professionally, protecting quality and preventing last-minute issues so you can fully enjoy your celebration.
Yes! To secure your wedding date, we require a 25% retainer at booking. The remaining balance is due two weeks before your event, though payment plans can be adjusted to fit your needs. This ensures your date is reserved and lets us focus on creating a seamless, stress-free celebration for you.

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