It’s Spotlight Day! Where we introduce you to incredible Orlando wedding venues and vendors, and the stories behind their companies who help Wedding Venue Map couples have their best wedding day. Today, it gives us great pleasure to introduce Lauren Martin from Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.
When and how did you get into the wedding industry?
I started my career in the front office ten years ago where I held three different roles. Then I worked with our Executive Chef as his assistant. In those roles, I was able to help coordinate site tours and get to know our sales & events team. Knowing different roles at my property and how operations work, has really set me up for success. I love my resort and the idea of getting guests and clients in the door to fall in love with my resort was SO exciting to me. I transferred to sales five years ago as a coordinator and worked my way up to my current role!
What is your favorite thing about what you do? What’s your WHY?
I love being able to connect with my clients; it’s a personal connection and not a transaction.
What motivates you to do this every day?
I like the excitement that comes with a career in events. Each day is different and comes with its own challenges! You are continually meeting new people, working with all different types of personalities, and learning (trends, traditions, cultures, etc.).
What fun fact would people be surprised to learn about you?
I grew up in a very small town in Texas where the population was 4,200 people!
How do you spend your time away from work?
It is important to recharge and I do this by spending time with people I love; my husband, our families, our friends. I enjoy traveling, reading, (leisurely) bike rides, Tex Mex, and discovering new places/restaurants/venues/destinations.
Use just three words to describe your business?
A hidden gem.
What is important for clients to know about your company before they book you?
We have both indoor and outdoor spaces for events! We are an atrium-style resort and have almost 800 guest rooms and over 200,000 sq. ft. of space, so we have something for everyone!
What types of events do you specialize in?
Weddings, Indian Weddings, Holiday Parties, Corporate Events, and Meetings & Conferences
What is the average total wedding budget of couples booking your venue?
We do intimate weddings with 10 people all the way up to large weddings of several hundred guests, so we deal with a variety of budgets. For a traditional wedding, our reception price is an average of $135++ per person.
What is one of the features of why couples choose your venue?
Renaissance Orlando at Sea World is a one-stop shop; we have space for ceremonies, receptions, & rehearsals, guest rooms & suites, food & beverage, resort amenities, and located in a prime location with access to everything Orlando has to offer.
What is your best piece of advice for someone who just recently got engaged?
Take a moment to yourselves to take it all in – you’re engaged! Then, sit down and get a vision together of what the two of you want for the start of your happily ever after. It is important for you two to be on the same page because you’re going to have a lot of opinions coming your way, about everything. You don’t want to lose sight of what is important to you.
The best piece of advice to reduce stress in the planning process.
Hiring a wedding coordinator! Having a designated person, who you’ve chosen, to be there for you on the day of your wedding takes so much stress off of you and your loved ones. They have the experience and knowledge to assist with the planning and execution of your wedding. They are well versed in the lingo, have the connections/relationships with the vendors/venues, and know the right questions to ask to make planning a smooth process!
What is the biggest mistake that people make when venue searching?
Trying to cram too many venue tours in one day is very overwhelming. The details get blurred, you’re tired, and it is a lot of information to try and remember. It is important to have a budget and specific date(s) you want before scheduling site tours.
What can couples do to combat nerves on the wedding day?
It is important to take time together, just the two of you, on your wedding day. A phone call to hear their voice to start the day. A few minutes alone together, after the first look, to just talk and laugh together. And after the ceremony, before you join everyone at cocktail hour, just steal a few minutes together to soak in that you’re finally married!
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