A plan for everything
Wedding coordinator. Checklist enthusiast. Contingency-plan queen.
For Dubbo's Ash Galley, helping couples feel calm, prepared and present on their wedding day comes naturally. As she grows Ash Coordinates, she's building a business around the work she loves, while preparing for an exciting new chapter of her own.
What do you love about wedding coordination?
I've been working in wedding and event management for over five years. Although it's always been a side hustle, thanks to the seasonal and weekend nature of weddings, it has remained one of my greatest passions.
From the very beginning, I fell in love with the opportunity to support couples throughout their wedding journey. There is nothing quite like building trust with a couple over months of planning and then being able to say, when the big day finally arrives, "Don't stress, I've got this sorted."
The sense of relief that washes over them in that moment is incredibly rewarding and one of the many reasons I love what I do.
The role feels exactly as I expected it would because it comes naturally to me. Wedding and event management feels like the perfect fit, and I genuinely enjoy helping people feel supported on one of the biggest days of their lives.
You're a self-confessed checklist enthusiast. Has that always been you?
Absolutely!
As a Virgo and someone who loves being organised, I thrive on planning ahead and making sure every detail is accounted for.
I pride myself on my attention to detail, comprehensive run sheets and the relationships I build with vendors. By the time the wedding day arrives, everything is set up to run as seamlessly as possible.
Even a torrential storm, and trust me, that happens more often than you'd think, won't dampen a couple's day because I've already got a contingency plan in place.
“Even a torrential storm won’t dampen a couple’s day because I’ve already got a contingency plan in place.”
Photos: Ash Galley
What's it like building a business in regional NSW?
It's been one of the best ways to build a small business, especially in the wedding industry.
A wedding simply can't happen without vendors working together seamlessly, so building strong relationships is essential. After spending 10-plus hours together on a wedding day, you've often gained not only a professional connection but also a friend and ally.
Because Central West NSW is such a close-knit community, chances are you'll work together again at another wedding. The networking opportunities really are endless.
The biggest challenge is distance. Living on a farm means I'm constantly in the car and rarely close to venues or clients. But it's also taught me how to build and maintain strong professional relationships, no matter the distance.
Photos: Ash Coordinates
“Every time I finish a wedding and call my mum for a debrief, I’m absolutely beaming.”
Who's been your biggest supporter?
Honestly, my mum.
She owns and manages three Airbnbs, and her entrepreneurial spirit has definitely rubbed off on me.
Over the years, I've floated countless business ideas past her because running my own business is something I've always wanted to do, and she's been my biggest cheerleader every step of the way.
Every time I finish a wedding and call her for a debrief, I'm absolutely beaming. She knows how much I love the work and how fulfilled it makes me feel.
Along with my husband, she's always encouraged me to take the leap because they could see that this wasn't just something I was good at. It was something I genuinely enjoyed. Their support and belief in me gave me the confidence to go for it.
What does success look like for you these days?
Success means becoming a new mum in January 2027 and giving our little family the best possible life on our farm in regional NSW.
It also means continuing to do something I genuinely love. If I can help couples celebrate one of the most important days of their lives while raising a family of my own, that would be the ultimate measure of success.
Building a business that gives me the flexibility to be present for both is the dream.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
I currently work full-time as a Marketing and Communications Officer. I've always loved words and storytelling, so it felt like a natural career path.
Outside work, you'll usually find me swimming laps at the Dubbo pool, reading romance novels or working on a romance novel of my own.
At the moment, though, I'm also busy growing a little human, so my afternoons are mostly reserved for naps.
Lastly… what's next for Ash Coordinates?
I can't wait to work with brides in 2027 and beyond.
I understand weddings are a significant investment and sometimes couples don't have the capacity to splurge on a service like wedding coordination. However, I truly believe that a well-planned day, where you're able to be fully present with your partner, family and friends, creates the most memorable wedding experience.
Your wedding day goes by in the blink of an eye and you deserve to spend it making memories, not worrying about timelines, vendors or what happens if something doesn't go to plan.
That's why I love what I do.
Helping couples feel supported, present and able to enjoy every moment is what wedding coordination is really all about.
With Ash Coordinates still in its early chapters and a baby on the way, Ash is embracing a season of exciting new beginnings, helping Central West couples spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the moments that matter.
