I got my first taste of the wedding world over 10 years ago working with a florist in my hometown, but I am definitely the girl who has had weddings on the brain since elementary school. Even as a child, my wedding daydreams were all about creative concepts, logistics and locations for a wide range of brides and grooms. I am truly passionate about bringing my clients’ own daydreams to life and finding creative ways to give each individual celebration their own thumbprint.

I began my college career in my hometown of West Lafayette, Indiana at Purdue University and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Columbia College Chicago. Though Purdue is not my official alma mater, growing up just blocks from campus, I will always be a Boiler at heart (Boiler Up!). My latter college experience focused on my pursuit of a career in event design and coordination.

Though my focus for the last 7 years has been primarily with weddings, my experience in the event industry stretches far beyond the wedding market to include: fashion shows, corporate events, marketing and public relations events, boutique openings, intimate social gatherings, and large scale social events and benefits. I have worked as a part of one of the nation’s largest advertising agencies coordinating multi-city marketing events and have worked with many small start-up companies, coordinating events that launched and promoted those companies. My experience also includes working as part of some of Chicago’s largest festivals and events in venues like Millennium Park and Grant Park. Working in the Chicago event industry, I have contributed editorial content for bridal publications, built relationships with locally and nationally renowned event and wedding vendors and have worked in a variety of event venues in the city and across the nation. I have been a principal with LOLA since the company’s inception.

When designing an event it is all about the personal details, however small they may be, grounded in the two items that I believe give the most impact - lighting and linen. Precise execution, quick thinking and a great attitude are key elements in the onsite work at an event, especially a wedding. My experience with different types of events helps to inspire my innovative ideas and solutions. With weddings, I take special care and treat my client’s events as though they were all weddings of a dear friend.

Personally, I live in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago with my husband, Mark. We were married in 2008 at one of my favorite Chicago venues, A New Leaf.

Lauren Carter
Co-Founder & Senior Event Coordinator