Welcome to our “Day in the Life” series! We feature wedding and event planners from around the world with many different levels of experience. If you would like to be featured, download our questionnaire here and email your responses and photos to info@plannerslounge.com. We are excited to feature Ryann Doria of Orange County, California.

Name:  Ryann Doria

Business Name & Location:  Ryann Kristena Events, Orange County, CA

Years Working in the Event Industry: 9

Years Owning Your Event Planning Business: 3

Website: https://www.ryannkristenaevents.com/

Facebook: facebook.com/ryannkristenaevents

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ ryannkristenaevents

What is your typical day like?

Most mornings, I wake up around 5:30 with my kids. Sometimes, I get extra snuggles and stay in bed until 6 am. I make coffee and breakfast for the kids and pack lunches before getting us all ready to leave for school. We’re out the door around 7:15, and I get home at 8 for more coffee and to start my work day. At 8 am, I check my emails and work on projects. What I like about my job is that each day is different. Sometimes, I have meetings with clients; some days, we have venue walkthroughs; others, we’re having vendor chats, or I’m doing design work. I have three hours of solid work time before I pick up my twins from preschool. When they get home, I make them lunch and get another 1-2 hours of work before picking up my oldest from school. Maybe I’ll have a meeting while they are all home, the twins love coming on my zoom calls to say hi. If needed, I’ll get another hour or two of work in after I put the kids to bed at 7:30 pm.

Event days are great; we have breakfast and play, and I hang out until it’s time to get ready to go. If there are any emergency situations on event days, I’ll have my phone on me, but it’s usually a morning I get to hang out with my kids. 

How did you get started in the industry?

I started as a day-of assistant for a friend with a wedding planning company. I worked with her for many years before starting my own business. She’s been a wonderful support system, and I still work with her! We have different styles and ideal clients, so it’s been wonderful.

I grew up a theatre kid and was always behind the scenes of plays and musicals. I did stage management and design, so the skills carried over to wedding planning quite nicely! 

What inspires you?

I love Halloween and darker vibes. I also love natural events—eclipses, moon cycles, sunsets, etc. I love watching what other wedding pros bring to life. I’ve seen some amazing wedding dresses that inspire wedding themes. There are things all around if you’re looking. 

What are your favorite online resources for your business? 

I love using Aisle Planner for my client planning portal

I think The Planners Vault has been a great resource and planner community.

Aside from wedding and event planning, how do you spend your time?

I love to read, and I love the beach. Before I was a mom, I would spend the summer and weekends sailing and racing sailboats. I miss it, but even just seeing a group of sailboats on the water makes me happy. I’m also a huge fan of naps! Coffee dates with friends—oat milk lattes are my favorite—or taking my kids somewhere fun is my go-to. 

Ryann, thank you so much for sharing your story and a day in your life. If you are a wedding or event planner and would like to be featured, download our questionnaire today and email it to us along with a photo. If you aren’t sure about being featured, take a few minutes to read how it can help your business. 

Photos:

The Next Adventure Photography, Sarah Block Photography, and Dearly Beloved Photography