Meet Lexie Cochran | Wedding Planner & Designer

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

Hi Lexie, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand and my business is that I have never tried to replicate what anyone else is doing or saying. I have always known that if there is something I feel led to say, or something that I am passionate about and truly believe in, it’s going to resonate with and attract the right people. Being true to myself and. the way I believe in serving my clients, and then curating a strong brand message that is reflective of that, is what I attribute to the relatively quick growth of my business, and my ability to land my ideal client (especially being only a year and a half in!)

As a creative entrepreneur, you can easily be distracted by what competitors or colleagues are doing, or by how they are presenting themselves and moving the needle in their businesses. I knew from the get-go that if I was going to find my true identity and voice in the industry, I needed to put my blinders on and focus on my own ideas, design interests, and beliefs. It’s really easy to lose that voice and vision when you’re more focused on what everyone else is doing (hello social media!)

Along with this idea of being true to yourself, you have to have a strong sense of self and confidence — which are both “muscles” you have to exercise (they aren’t just a given!)

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is LNC Weddings + Events, and through it I serve engaged couples across Texas that value structured planning with an emphasis on timeless, intentional, and detail-driven design. I empower my couples to make the decisions and incorporate the details that truly resonate with and reflect them. A pretty day with no meaning behind it won’t feel special, no matter how beautiful it is.

At LNC, we have a heart to serve, which is one of the things that I believe sets us a part from other planners or coordinators. I want to provide as much value as possible to my clients, and believe that there is never a task that is too big or too small for my care. My assistant team has this same mentality too, and I know my clients and their families feel taken care of and served in what is such a special season and day of their lives. We also place an emphasis on quality over quantity in everything — whether that’s the number of weddings I take on per year, or the planning decisions I am leading my clients through. Quality is at the core of what I do.

I am so proud of the way the business has grown in just a little over a year and a half, and that is thanks to the clients who have believed in the vision, as well as the vendors who have believed in it too and therefore referred couples my way. We have planned and designed stunning celebrations across Houston, Austin, Dallas, and Galveston — many of which are at bucket-list venues that I would’ve never imagined I would work at so soon.

Many of the challenges in these first two years are things that come with the growing pains of starting and owning a business. As a solo-business owner, I have had to figure out a lot of things for myself (some of which came easily, other things like taxes — not so much!) Not being afraid to mess-up, not being too prideful to say when you were wrong, and then having the courage to forge on and learn from those experiences are all things I have gotten comfortable with as a business owner. When you’re doing exactly what you’re meant to be doing (which is a cheesy thought, but rings true for my purpose with this business) you have absolutely nothing to lose, and only everything to gain. Currently I’m facing a challenge that is rather a growing pain — that’s the need to grow my team! This next growth spurt feels much more scary than starting the business did, and I think it’s because it involves relinquishing control and trusting others to represent the brand and the vision.

What do I want the world to know about my brand? I’d say that I would want everyone to know that I see this as a ministry. It’s a means to lead couples through a very special and surreal chapter of their lives, but one that I know first-hand can stir up all kinds of emotions you wouldn’t associate with “the happiest time of your life.” With big life changes comes anxiety, stress, and even outbursts of emotions from friends and family. By keeping the focus on what wedding planning is all about (the start of marriage!) I aim to keep this process in perspective and allow my couples to focus on the fun. They hire me to do the hard work and to sweat the small stuff on their behalf. I just want them to feel present, peaceful, and joyful on their wedding days!

What do I want the world to know about my story? Well, maybe that I didn’t just wake up and decide to become a wedding planner one day! My 18 years in ballet, followed by my professional career in the boutique fitness industry, gave me a unique experience and perspective that I believe prepared me tenfold to succeed in the wedding industry, and in owning my own business. If you possess the soft skills, the hard skills can be acquired. It takes a lot of discipline, dedication, and passion though!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is tough since I don’t live downtown but am actually in Conroe, TX (I am downtown for work a ton though!)

If a friend were visiting Houston for the first time, I would say that an Astros game is a must (go ‘stros!) I also have a huge appreciation for the arts scene in Houston and don’t think many people know just how lucky we are to have the companies and theaters that we do in town. So a ticket to see Houston Ballet or see live theater at the Hobby Center would be a treat! I always love long chats over coffee, so in that case I would hit up Sunday Press for a cute coffee shop vibe and yummy treats (this is also a favorite spot to knock out work!) TexMex is also a must, whether that be at Goode Co Cantina, Pappasito’s, or The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation! I also thinking grabbing a drink at a brewery like Saint Arnold or visiting NASA are fun Houston activities!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people to shoutout within my story!

The first being Jesus. Answered prayers and God-given discernment lead me to this career path. I also know the path of the past experiences, jobs, education, etc. played a pivotal role in preparing me to not only step into this industry, but to run my own business.

I also have to thank the team of vendors that served me through my own planning process in 2020. They opened my eyes to the wedding industry as a whole, recognized that I possessed the gifts for planning and designing weddings, and encouraged me to pursue this as a career. These people know who they are!

I also have to thank my very supportive friends and family — they are my ‘why’ and have cheered me on as I stepped out on a limb (or so it felt like at first!) the past few years.

Website: https://www.lncweddings.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lncweddings/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lnc-weddings-events/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexienicolecochran

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lncweddings/

Image Credits
All photos, please credit: Courtney Leigh Photography (https://courtneyleighphoto.com/)