Meet Jessica Laycock

We recently connected with Jessica Laycock and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

To be honest, my purpose has always stayed the same at its core — something I sensed even from a very young age — but the way it’s expressed and lived out continues to grow and evolve with each season of life. I’ve always felt a deep calling to help others and to bring peace, serenity, and a sense of calm into their lives. Over time, I’ve come to realize that while the heart of that purpose never changes, the way it unfolds can look beautifully different in each chapter of life.

Today, that purpose — to provide a sense of peace and calm — has taken shape through my business, Amber + Oak Coordinating, where I serve couples as a wedding coordinator, and I absolutely love it. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been drawn to details, problem-solving, and organization. I’ve always found joy in creating simplicity and clarity where there might otherwise be chaos. As I grew older, I realized these weren’t just preferences — they were God-given gifts I was meant to lean into.

It’s easy to ignore or push aside our natural gifts, whether because of outside pressure, practicality, or fear. But I truly believe that when we lean into what God has uniquely placed within us, we discover real fulfillment and purpose. That’s exactly how Amber + Oak Coordinating came to be.

After college, I worked in several administrative roles where I could use my strengths to plan, organize, and execute projects with precision. Yet even in those positions, something was missing — the joy of bringing ease, peace, and relief to others. When I began planning my own wedding, something inside me lit up. I had never felt more aligned with who I was created to be. Soon after, I helped coordinate a few friends’ weddings, and their encouragement confirmed what I already felt in my heart — that this was where I was meant to be.

I’m grateful to now work in a purpose-driven career that allows me to serve others through the gifts God has given me. And while I know life changes and seasons shift, I believe that as long as I continue to lean into those gifts, my purpose — to help others and bring peace and serenity — will remain the same, even if it takes a different form in the years ahead.

For anyone still searching for their purpose, I encourage you to be patient with the process and remain open to trying new things. Take time to look inward — reflect on what lights you up, what you’re naturally good at, and lean into those gifts while continuing to evaluate and refine them. Focus on what makes you thrive and what excites you. I truly believe that, in time, this process will reveal the gifts your Creator has placed within you. When you align your life with those natural talents, you’ll discover a freedom and fulfillment that no amount of money or cultural success could ever provide.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

There’s no doubt that Atlanta is full of talented wedding coordinators — many with years of experience, a love for planning, and a knack for details. What sets Amber + Oak Coordinating apart is my true passion: providing a space of peace and serenity for couples who are just like me — those who love planning and organizing, want to save money, and want to use their own talents, but also want the freedom to fully experience being a bride or groom on their wedding day. I LOVED planning our own wedding, but I realized (too late!) that I couldn’t be both the planner and the bride. That realization became the heart of Amber + Oak.

The “secret sauce” that makes working with Amber + Oak special is the personal connection I pursue with every couple. You won’t just be another client — you’ll be a real couple with a unique story, and I want to know it fully. Before anyone books, I love grabbing a cup of coffee together or connecting virtually. I want to hear how you and your fiancé met, what draws you to one another, and what matters most to you on your wedding day. Your story shapes every detail I coordinate, bringing meaning and intention to your celebration.

This personal connection is what truly sets Amber + Oak apart. I don’t just plug in a timeline, cross t’s, and dot i’s — I build trust and create a space where couples can feel completely present on their wedding day. Wedding days pass so quickly, and I never want a couple to miss a single moment of the joy, emotion, and memories they’re creating.

Over the years, couples have reached out to me on their anniversaries while flipping through photos and reliving their wedding day. Moments like that bring me true fulfillment — knowing I helped create space for them to fully experience their day, and that they still choose to include me in those memories. That’s why I do what I do! My goal is for every couple to walk down the aisle calm, present, and fully immersed in the beauty of their day.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

As a wedding coordinator, strong communication is essential because you’re constantly working alongside multiple vendors and the bride and groom on a high-stakes, high-stress day. Being able to clearly and effectively convey information, give feedback, and adapt your communication style for each person makes a huge difference.

Equally important is your personal presence — the energy you bring into a room. On a wedding day, your calm, composed demeanor is magnified and felt by everyone around you: the couple, vendors, and even guests. Even if challenges arise — whether a vendor is late or a last-minute problem appears — maintaining a sense of calm and reassurance helps everyone stay grounded and focused.

Finally, problem-solving is critical. Weddings rarely go exactly as planned, and being flexible, creative, and solution-oriented while staying true to the couple’s vision is key. Whether it’s a logistical challenge, a last-minute change, or an unexpected hiccup, being able to think quickly and creatively makes the day run smoothly.

For anyone early in their journey, I would encourage practicing and intentionally developing these skills in any environment you can. Volunteer, shadow, or intern in situations that challenge you to communicate clearly, stay present, and solve problems. Record yourself speaking or presenting to evaluate your own presence and delivery, or ask trusted friends and mentors for honest feedback. The more you put yourself in situations that push these skills, the more confident and capable you’ll become — both professionally and personally.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

If I only had a decade left to live, I would do more of what I am intentionally trying to include in my life now — nurturing deeper relationships, seeking more time with God, creating space for meaningful experiences, spending time with family, enjoying solitude, and being immersed in nature and creation. My husband and I have long-term dreams — like purchasing land, raising more farm animals, and creating a space for people (including ourselves) to find peace and serenity away from the fleeting noise of the world — and those would become immediate goals. I’d prioritize simplicity, removing unnecessary stress, and being fully present with the people I love.

I would be intentional in nurturing relationships because people are the only treasures that will last beyond this life. I want to ensure that my son and those closest to me who don’t yet know Jesus get to experience as much of His love as possible. Traveling, exploring new cultures, and experiencing the vastness of creation would also be part of that — broadening perspective and deepening appreciation for life and all the beauty God created for us. It’s so easy to get boxed into comfort zones or “typical” vacation experiences, but I want to show my son the awe and wonder of the world and help him understand that life is so much bigger than what sits right in front of us.

I’d continue my work with Amber + Oak Coordinating, but always in a way that keeps what truly matters at the center — helping couples experience their wedding days fully, while making space for love, connection, and memories that can’t be measured. My hope would be to use my gifts to serve others while living fully present in the moments, relationships, and experiences that truly last.

Contact Info:

• 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