An Interview with a Party Planner

Happy Wednesday, Lemonheads. Hope you are having a wonderful day. Today, we are going to take a little detour from our Lemon Fresh Etsy Sellers Series, because I have special interview treat for you. Today I would like to welcome party planner extraordinaire, Michelle Stepp of Everyday Celebrating, a wonderful party planning bloggy. She was gracious enough to let me pick her brain a bit about event and party planning. So, let me stop talking and let’s get on with the interview!

Kelly: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in event planning?

Michelle: I’m a Kentucky born and bred girl that landed in the Music City (Nashville) after a stint in Florida! I got my start in event planning as a student at the University of Kentucky. It was there that I gravitated towards organizations that planned campus events. The planning bug really bit me when I got to dig deep into the logistics of events like hot air balloon races, parades, concerts, homecomings, etc. It really gave me a well rounded view of not just “parties”, but really logistically challenging and detailed EVENTS. Every event job I’ve had since I attribute to the amazing planning experience I received while in college.

credit: Everyday Celebrating

Kelly: What are your favorite things about planning events?

Michelle: While I love the whole process, my two FAVE things are 1) the brainstorming on the front end. Really searching your mind for those details that will make this event memorable and 2) I love the day of the actual event. The bigger the event, the better. There’s just a buzz of adrenaline you get from preparing for something that you know people are going to enjoy.

credit: Everyday Celebrating

Kelly: Do you have any business advice/keys to success for people wanting to get into event planning?

Michelle: Event planning is one of those occupations where experience is required. Where do you get experience? Either work for free or work your way up. Volunteer for charities, shadow, get an internship. Use all of these things to build a portfolio of your work. Several years ago, I applied for a job where I brought in a video of a 2 day chocolate festival I produced. Do all you can to get the experience and the portfolio to back it up.

Kelly: What are your top 5 favorite blogs?

Michelle: Oh no way you’re asking me that!!!! Too hard to pick my TOP five, but here are a few I love.

• Super cute FREE downloads and ideas at http://www.livinglocurto.com/
• Love, love http://www.oneprettything.com/ I am amazed every.single.day by people’s creativity and craftiness. And when, oh WHEN, am I going to have the time to do all the fun ideas I find there!
• http://partyperfectblog.blogspot.com/ Fabulous, simple ideas written by a former Martha Stewart employee.
• Love http://www.tipjunkie.com
• Serious event eye candy and beautiful photography over at Southern Weddings Magazine blog http://www.swsmag.net/

credit: Everyday Celebrating

Kelly: Anything else you would like to share?

Michelle: I love to feature fun, creative events from my readers! Featuring the creativity of others really serves as inspiration for my readers to host their own spectacular event! Stop by my blog, tweet me OR if you’re going to BlogHer, say hi in person!

Blog: http://www.everydaycelebrating.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/eCelebrating

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Everyday-Celebrating/63043886531

Thanks so much for sharing Michelle!