Delaney shared with Southern Bride how cancer has affected her personally and professionally, what kept her inspired to create, and the lessons she carries forward into life and design after cancer.
How has cancer diagnosis affected you personally and professionally?
Gosh, this is such a loaded one. Cancer seeps into every corner of your life — whether you want it to or not. It changed everything about how I lived, how I worked, and how I showed up for others. I went through 16 rounds of chemo, a double mastectomy, and 25 days of radiation. There were so many moments where I couldn’t be at meetings or weddings because I was too sick or too tired to even stand. I had no choice but to lean on my team and trust that the people I built around me could carry the weight when I couldn’t.
And they did — beautifully.
Professionally, I was met with more love and support than I ever imagined. The vendor community showed up for me in such a powerful way — people brought food, sent care packages, and stepped in without hesitation. It was humbling and magical to feel that kind of love from people I’ve worked alongside for years. It reminded me that this industry is so much more than logistics and design — it’s about connection, compassion, and community.
What inspired you to keep creating?
Weddings saved me in a lot of ways. In the middle of everything hard and heavy, they gave me a reason to keep showing up. My clients and their love stories became my anchor — they reminded me that there’s still so much beauty to hold onto, even when life feels impossible. Creating for others gave me purpose. It distracted me from the pain and helped me reconnect with the parts of myself that cancer tried to take away.
I think if I didn’t have such fulfilling work — and such incredible clients and vendor friends — I would’ve felt much more lost. The joy and love that come with weddings helped me remember what I was fighting for.
What emotional and physical challenges did you experience during treatment and afterward?
Cancer tests you in every way imaginable. Physically, I was drained. My body ached, my energy disappeared, and I often didn’t recognize myself in the mirror. Emotionally, it was a rollercoaster — one minute grateful, the next angry, scared, or numb. I learned quickly that healing isn’t linear. Some days I felt strong and grounded; other days I could barely make it out of bed.
There’s a deep isolation that comes with cancer — it feels like the world keeps spinning while yours comes to a halt. But through that stillness, I found clarity. I learned what truly matters, who truly shows up, and what I want my life to look like moving forward.
Even after treatment ended, the hard part wasn’t “over.” The healing just shifted. It became about trusting my body again, finding confidence in a new version of myself, and figuring out how to live with both gratitude and grief in the same breath.
Life and design after cancer
My design process itself hasn’t changed — but my why has. Cancer made me slow down and rethink how I want to move through this work. I no longer chase busy; I chase meaning. I’m more intentional about the weddings I take on and the clients I connect with. I want to pour my energy into people and projects that feel aligned, joyful, and life-giving.
On a personal level, I’m more protective of my peace. I prioritize rest. I listen to my body. I remind myself that I don’t have to prove anything to anyone — that being here, being healthy, and doing what I love is enough.
Advice for those battling cancer today?
It gets better. Even when you can’t see the light yet — it’s coming. Be gentle with yourself. Let people help you. You don’t have to be strong every day, and you don’t have to carry it all alone. Rely on your support system, be honest with your clients, and take each day as it comes.
You are not your diagnosis. You’re still you — just braver, softer, and stronger in ways you’ll only understand on the other side.
Florida-based wedding planner and designer Delaney Driver brings bold color, creativity, and heart to every celebration she designs. With an eye for detail and a love for originality, she transforms weddings into unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences.
Featured image photography: Love Asha Photography
