photo by Cynthia Brown

Today I want to introduce myself to you. I’ve been blogging a lot here about my favorite ideas for parties and I’ve been working with a lot of our brides to finalize all sorts of details. But if you haven’t met me yet, I hope we’ll have the chance soon!

I started working with Jubilee Events last year. It was an action packed one, full of the most beautiful weddings for the most exciting couples. I had an amazing time and learned a ton-Candice and Diana are hands down two of the best teachers a girl starting out in this industry can ask for.

This year, I’m taking on my own events and I’m really looking forward to all the planning that’s ahead. To help you get to know me a little better, I thought I’d share my top five favorite things about party planning. There’s so much that goes into making an event just right that I had a hard time narrowing them down!

1. Having Fun with Desserts – There is a Julia Child quote floating around Pinterest that I love. She says, “A party without cake is just a meeting.” It’s probably pinned on half my boards because I love it so much. Dessert is the part of every event that I look forward to. But more than eating dessert, I love to design dessert displays. A well-curated arrangement of sweets can easily become the centerpiece of a party. How can you not love looking at fluffy buttercream cakes perched high on stands and rows of creamy, frosted treats? My sweet tooth is pretty big, but there are some times that I find desserts almost too good to eat…almost!

2. Seeing Good Friends Gather – Friendships are so important to me. I have friends up and down the East Coast and I try so hard to keep in touch with them all. Parties-big and small-have been my best excuse to see everyone. After all, you can’t have a party without friends. I’m always honored to have the opportunity to help others make these connections at their own parties, whether that means working on the guest list or sending out invitations. When I see distant family members and friends reunite at an event and everyone is enjoying themselves, I feel like I have done my job.

3. Kicking off Cocktail Hour – To me, the start of a party is the most important. It’s where you make your first impression on guests and set the tone for what’s to come. Cocktail hour is not just for weddings-every gathering needs an allotted time for people to arrive and get settled. This is one of the most exciting parts of any party and I love watching people discover all the fun elements of the event and what the rest of the night has in store.

4. Thinking Creatively – I’m constantly challenging myself to think differently. Whether I’m planning a party, decorating my house or just picking out an outfit, I strive to never settle for something ordinary or expected. I’m a master at repurposing items for something other than their intended use-which works out well because I never throw anything away. All the cake stands I used to hold flowers at my wedding now display jewelry and books on my shelves. I have yet to actually serve a cake on one!

5. Focusing on the Details – A party just wouldn’t be a party if it weren’t for the endless amount of details that are involved. From creating custom printed cocktail napkins to managing vendor contracts, there are a lot of little things to get done. I love seeing these elements come together-yes, even the paperwork. And I pride myself on doing them right. After all, I used to be a magazine editor so I’m used to going through things with a fine-toothed comb.

1. via Pinterest?2. via Pinterest?3. photo by Cynthia Brown 4. photo by Cynthia Brown 5. via BHLDN

You can follow Libby on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Or e-mail her! Libby@eventjubilee.com