A lifetime of love stories: Hartselle woman reflects on 35 years as wedding coordinator
Photos by Rachel Howard
For 35 years, Dana McCutcheon has been the calm in the chaos, the steady hand that guides couples and families through one of the most memorable days of their lives. As a seasoned wedding coordinator, she has mastered the art of creating stress-free and joyous wedding days, allowing brides, grooms and their loved ones to focus on what truly matters: the celebration of love and commitment.
“It’s my job to make sure the bride and her family can enjoy every moment without worrying about the details,” Dana says. “A wedding should be a beautiful memory, not a stressful one.”
The importance of having someone in her role is a lesson she says she learned the hard way when her youngest daughter got married.
“I wasn’t able to really be present and enjoy the day as much as I wanted because I was busy coordinating everything,” she says.
With an impressive 1,200 weddings under her belt, Dana has seen just about everything. From smooth, perfectly-timed events to unexpected surprises, she approaches each wedding with grace and composure. One particularly memorable wedding took a surprising turn when the minister didn’t show up on time.
“He thought the wedding was the following day,” Dana recalls with a laugh. “We had to scramble, but we made it work. That’s part of the job—staying calm and finding solutions no matter what happens.”
Though wedding trends and customs have evolved through the years, Dana remains “old school” when it comes to one particular moment: the first look.
“I always encourage my brides to save that moment for the ceremony,” she explains. “There’s something so special about seeing the groom’s face when he sees his bride walking down the aisle for the first time. It’s a moment you can’t recreate, and it’s worth the wait.”
Dana cherishes the look of awe and emotion that often sweeps over the groom’s face during this timeless tradition. For her, it encapsulates the magic of the day and serves as a poignant reminder of why she loves her work.
One of Dana’s greatest strengths is her ability to remain calm under pressure. Whether it’s handling last-minute changes, soothing pre-wedding jitters or managing a room full of bustling vendors, she never lets stress take over.
“I don’t get stressed,” she says confidently. “If I’m calm, everyone else will be calm too. That’s the key to making the day enjoyable for everyone.”
After 35 years and countless “I do’s,” Dana continues to pour her heart into her work, ensuring each couple has a day as unique and special as their love story. For her, being a wedding coordinator is more than a job—it’s a calling.
