Meet Jessica Laycock

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Laycock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve felt called to help people and make a meaningful difference. As I grew older, I began to recognize the strengths God placed in me: a sharp eye for detail, a love for organization, and a calm presence in the midst of chaos. These strengths naturally led me toward event and wedding planning. Each time I had the chance to step into that role, something inside me lit up. Eventually, a dream began to take shape—to build a wedding coordinating business of my own and, one day, open my own venue.

For over a decade, that dream stayed close to my heart. I always imagined it would happen “later”—when the timing was perfect and I felt financially secure enough to chase it safely. In the meantime, I found joy in helping plan and coordinate weddings for myself and close friends, keeping the dream close but never fully stepping into it—held back by a quiet fear of failure.

Then one day, after helping another friend pull off a beautiful, stress-free wedding, she looked me in the eye and said, “You need to do this.” And she didn’t stop there—she brought me my very first client.

Suddenly, I was faced with a now-or-never decision. A bride-to-be, armed with my friend’s glowing recommendation, was waiting to hear what services I offered. I knew if I didn’t say “yes” in that moment, I probably never would.

So, I took a leap of faith. I started small—creating a business name, defining my services, and building a planning process rooted in one mission: to give couples a sense of peace and serenity on their wedding day, allowing them to be fully present and free of worry as they create memories of a lifetime.

Every single wedding I coordinate still brings me deep joy and purpose. I feel complete in this work—like I’ve found my calling in this season of life. My God-given talents are finally being fully embraced, which fills my cup and gives couples the freedom to fill theirs.

Above my desk hangs a quote that has become a cornerstone of my journey: “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” Fear touches us all—it just shows up in different forms, and most of us do everything we can to hide or avoid it. But choosing to let fear take a back seat has changed everything for me. It’s pushed me to believe in myself, dream more boldly, and—most importantly—trust God in deeper, more personal ways than ever before.

This business is more than just a job. It’s a ministry of presence, peace, and celebration. Through it, I’ve seen God move, learned to trust His timing, and embraced the gifts He’s given me to bring joy, ease, and lasting memories to the couples I serve.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets Amber + Oak Coordinating apart isn’t just the planning—it’s the personal connection I intentionally pursue with every couple. You won’t be just another name on the calendar. You’ll be seen, heard, and known—because your story matters to me.

Before any official booking, I love meeting each couple in person over a cup of coffee. I want to hear how they met, what draws them to each other, and what makes their relationship unique. That connection—understanding the heart of who they are—is what fuels the way I approach each wedding day. It goes beyond logistics; it’s about honoring the moments that mean the most to each couple.

Building Amber + Oak has been a labor of love. I’ve created every planning process from the ground up—often spending countless nights rewriting content, tweaking materials, and refining services to better serve each couple. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been deeply rewarding.

Amber + Oak is always evolving. As much as I’d love everything to feel perfectly polished, I’ve come to embrace the beauty of growth. With every wedding, I reflect on what worked well and what could be better because each couple deserves the very best I can offer.

My goal is for every bride and groom to walk away from their wedding day not only with stunning details and seamless moments, but with hearts full of warmth, joy, and the deep sense that their story was honored well. And years from now—five, ten, even twenty—my hope is for each bride and groom I partner with to remember their wedding day so vividly that they can still feel the butterflies during the ceremony, the emotion in each glance, and the love that was wrapped around every detail.

That’s the heartbeat behind Amber + Oak Coordinating.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a simple gal who finds the greatest joy in life’s little moments. If my best friend were visiting, our days would be filled with sunshine and slow moments—nature walks, soaking up the sun, full bellies, cozy movie nights, and the kind of laughter that makes your cheeks hurt. Nothing fancy, just heart-full, memory-making simplicity.

To start, we would kick off our shoes and relax together on the back porch of our little home, listening to the birds, mingling with our chickens and catching each other up on life with a warm, homemade cookie in hand. Without question, dinner would be at 7 Tequilas. We’d dive into spicy food and keep the laughter going until our sides hurt. The night would wind down back at home with a cozy movie and maybe another cookie (or two).

The next morning, if we didn’t whip up breakfast with fresh eggs from our own chickens, we’d head to Honeysuckle Biscuits & Bakery for a delicious meal and coffee. Then it’s off to downtown Woodstock to wander the shops, walk through the Farmers Market and soak in the charm of a bustling morning in town.

At some point during the week, we’d load up our kayaks and a picnic lunch and head to Olde Rope Mill. We’d paddle up the river all the way to Toonigh Creek Falls, savoring the stillness, the beauty, and the simple joy of being surrounded by nature. We’d likely spend the whole day out on the water, catching glimpses of turtles, heron, and fish as we meandered through stretches of the river.

Throughout the week, we’d carve out time for a little pampering—manis and pedis, of course. We’d also slow things down with a visit to The Sweet Read, digging into good books and deep conversation.

One day, we’d lace up our hiking boots and make our way to Cloudland Canyon. Surrounded by the vastness of nature, we’d find the space to reconnect with God’s creation. No rush, no agenda—just time to be.

Lastly, with my son in tow, we’d make time for a few park adventures—Dupree Park would be at the top of the list. We’d get our sneakers, pack the fishing gear, and head out for a day of simple fun. There’d be time on the playground, feeding the ducks, casting a few lines, wandering the nature trail, and maybe even squeezing in a little pickleball if a court happened to be open.

Our week together wouldn’t be glamorous or Instagram-worthy—and honestly, that’s exactly how I like it. It would be a week of full hearts, belly laughs, and filling up the memory bank.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
BECKY | Without the support of a dear friend, Becky, I’m not sure that I would have ever started my own business. After helping coordinate and execute her wedding ceremony a few years back, she witnessed my skillset firsthand—and became one of my biggest believers. She saw something in me that I hadn’t fully embraced myself.

Becky encouraged me to lean into my gifts and take a leap of faith. Over coffee, she helped me map out a business plan—from marketing strategies to crafting a vision and mission. That conversation planted the seed of belief that I could truly do this.

Her unwavering confidence in my potential gave me the courage to begin. And she didn’t stop there—Becky became my first raving fan and even brought me my very first client!

MICHAEL | I also cannot go without recognizing my husband, Michael. From the very beginning, he has been my number one fan—encouraging me, believing in me, and standing by my side every step of the way. His steadfast support helped shape and grow this dream into something real and sustainable.

Michael didn’t just cheer from the sidelines—he stood beside me as I faced one of my greatest fears: leaving the comfort of a steady job to embrace the unknown of a new business, all while also embracing the full-time role of a stay-at-home mom. He reminded me of my worth, my strength, and the limitless possibilities that come with trusting God and following His peace-filled direction.

Because of him, I was able to fully pursue this dream—creating an intentional space of warmth and love for our little boy while building a business that brings deep fulfillment. The life change we’ve experienced together has been nothing short of extraordinary. And the joy I now feel in this season of purpose is something I owe, in no small part, to his love, belief, and steadfast support. For that, I am forever grateful.

Website: https://www.amberandoakcoordinating.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-laycock88/

Other: BLOG: https://www.amberandoakcoordinating.com/blog-1

Image Credits
CC Seder Photography
Hillary Leah Photography
Vi Huynh Media