This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on May 16th, 2012 with event designer Ed Libby. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

 

Libby began his career in a small workspace in his home over two decades ago. He built his business on flowers, which remain an essential element of design. He has traveled extensively to Europe and Asia and these influences are evident in his creations. It did not take long until his business grew into what is now Ed Libby & Co. His company is the first design studio to blend art with live entertainers in order to create dramatic new dimension in event production. Implementing gifted artists, talented actors, extravagantly costumed and innovatively body-painted models, BodyCastTM creates lavish, eye dazzling, living sets to stimulate even the most jaded guest. Ed Libby & Co. creates unforgettable events.

 

Ed Libby & Co. was chosen as event designer for the innovated “Wall Street Concert Series” hosted by Cipriani from 2005 to 2007 featuring such artists as Rod Stewart, Alicia Keys, Cheryl Crow, Lionel Richie, Marc Anthony, Mary J. Blige, Fergie, Kanye West and Beyonce Knowles. He designed not only the 75 full-dinner tables but also worked with these performers to create their artful stages. Libby was interviewed by NY Magazine Wedding Guide as “the event design expert” in “Ask The Expert” and was most recently featured as the “King of Design” in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style’s Fall 2011 Edition.
Ed Libby television credits include a guest appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Art Director on the Season 2 Premier of America’s Next Top Model, the featured event designer on Arts & Entertainment’s Growing Up Gotti, Style Networks special Party Fabulous: Kimora Lee Simmons’ Fashion Week Party and most recently VH1’s LaLa’s Full Court Wedding, Style Networks Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane and the Season 4 Premier of TLC’s Cake Boss.

 

Libby’s client roster includes Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony, Beyonce Knowles, Kimora Lee Simmons, Carmelo Anthony & LaLa Vasquez, Diddy, Naomi Campbell, Usher, Denise Rich, Robert DeNiro, Giuseppe Cipriani, Tyra Banks and Sting. Among the corporations that have entrusted Mr. Libby to design for them are Tommy Hilfiger, The ASPCA, American Express, The New York Stock Exchange, City Harvest, Disney, Electra Records, The Blackstone Group, The Patrons of Vatican Art Collection and The Super Bowl.
Learn more about Ed Libby at http://www.edlibby.com

 

 

Join Our Wedding Market Chats For Wedding Professionals Every Wednesday at 10:00PT, 1:00ET, and 6:00GMT (UK time) with the #WeddingMarketChat Hashmark On Twitter. Learn something new to help your business grow every week. The chats are hosted by Wedding Market editor Julie Albaugh (@juliealbaugh).

 

Q1: @EdLibbyEvents  How did you get involved with Event Design ?
AQ1:  I got a job as a driver in a local flower shop while in art school and eventually became the head designer

 

 

Q2: @EdLibbyEvents  How did you start your business out of your home? 

AQ2 A: My parents let me “unfinish” their gorgeous finished basement. I set up a borrowed floral refridgerator and drawing board

AQ2 B: Shot my first wedding Jan 89. Worked for 3 studios, before starting Robert Evans Studios in Jan 94. 

 

 

Q3: @EdLibbyEvents  What steps did you take to move your business out of your home?

 

AQ3: I just outgrew the space. My 1st studio was warehouse space in the back of a printer friends office.

 

Q4:  @EdLibbyEvents How has collaboration transformed your business?

 

AQ4: I found like minded planners and vendors to help produce a seemless vision…

AQ4: Caterers, musicians, invitationers, etc collaborators that supplement and compliment my areas of expertise.

 

Q4A: @EdLibbyEvents How did you choose they like minded planner and vendors? 

AQ4A: We look for vendors and people in the industry that have similar aesthetics, common goals, and the same philosophy on glamour based events.

 

Q5: @EdLibbyEvents How should wedding professionals be collaborating?

AQ5 A: Seamless ballet between food, environment, invitation & lighting.

AQ5 B: One cohesive experience like being an Art Director on a movie.

AQ5 C: It is important to know who is the “Art Director” who is the “Producer” etc etc etc

Q6: @EdLibbyEvents  What are the latest trends in wedding design?

 

AQ6: Sun bleached citrus colors, interesting combinations like yellow & grey, anything & cream, runway inspired accessories

 

 

Q7: @EdLibbyEvents Where do you find your inspiration?

AQ7: Museums, Gallery Exhibits , store windows on 5th Avenue…

  

Q8: @EdLibbyEvents What would surprise wedding professionals about event design? 

AQ8: Many layers of details,It’s like a Broadway show, opening and closing in the same night.

 

Q9: @EdLibbyEvents What advice do you have for wedding pros that are just starting out?

AQ9: Focus on what makes you unique in your marketplace. Keep your business as small as possible for as long as possible. Growing pains are just that, PAINFUL!

 

Q10: @EdLibbyEvents What are the latest wedding trends? Flowers Etc.?

 

AQ10: Lots and Lots of Phaleanopsis Orchids!! Long tables, mixing table shapes, lounges, and after parties are also on trend

 

 

Q10A: @EdLibbyEvents What wedding flowers are out?

AQ10A: Pink and white stargazer lillies that were so popular 10 yrs ago. They aren’t even in the market anymore.

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: So if you have a bride that wants Stargazer lillies (etc) do you tell her they’re out, or just go with it?

Tweet Answer: We would never tell a bride no, but we would try and encourage something more fashion foraward.

 

 

Q11: @EdLibbyEvents What types of celebrity events have you designed for? 

 

AQ11: A number of celeb weddings, bday parties, fashion events etc. Most recently the weddings of @kelsey_Grammer and @lala (not to each other of course) and a birthday celebration for @jlo!

 

 

Q12: @EdLibbyEvents What would you like the #WeddingMarket to take away from this #WeddingMarketChat ?

 

AQ12: Lastly. To never give up. Always believe in yourself and the power of your creativity.

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Have wedding bloggers played roll in your success by getting the word out about your event designs?

Tweet Answer: Wedding bloggers have definitely been influential, especially more recently. We have been featured on @theknot and @junebugweddings.

The more exposure the better!

 

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Where did you attend art school; Cooper Union?

Tweet Answer:  I attended William Patterson and did extensive field studies in Europe and Asia

 

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Do you ever feel that a client is not the perfect fit for you?
Tweet Answer: Sometimes I feel as though we are interviewing the client as much as they interview us

Tweet Answer: Every bride deserves the perfect vendor. if you are not the right vendor for the job you have the obligation to tell them

 

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: What has been your favorite or most memorable event to design so far?
Tweet Answer: We were recently heavily involved in an event for a reknowned royal family it has become a signature event

Tweet Answer: Any event that has a great raport w/ the bride & groom and can make the family happy & produce beauty together is a fave

 

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: @EdLibbyEvents are your collaborative counterparts consultants, employees, or partners?
Tweet Answer: All of the above @EllegantAffairs we work with a number of planners and vendors and have an extensive in house team of amazing drapers, caterers, fabricators, and suppliers are involved in every single wedding and event.

 

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Do you typically have bloggers reach out to you, or do you approach them with ideas?
Tweet Answer: We have always been approached. we don’t solicit publicity but it seems to seek us out

 

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Do brides prefer set pricing for invites or are most willing to spend more for couture wedding suites?

Tweet Answer: We leave the pricing of invites to the professional invitationers that we work with. We like to be involved in the invitation design, and then let the experts take it from there.

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Do you offer design classes for those interested in learning the craft?

Tweet Answer: That is something that I would love to do 20 yrs from now when I retire.

Tweet Answer: Right now we are too busy perfecting our craft. when we have it all figured out we will offer it to the public 😉

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Do you work exclusively with LA vendors, or do you reach across the country for great work? 

Tweet Answer: We work with vendors internationally.

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: You’ve had humble beginnings. How long before did you realize collaboration with others is key to your success?

Tweet Answer: From the very begining @StylishWedThing As a novice designer I had to call on others to supplement my areas of expertise. It has always been incredibly important to draw from a wide talent pool. many colarborators have become team members. We try to fit the best vendor to the best client. No one vendor is ever perfect for every job. Same with the designer.

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: I believe in the “Power of Partnering” or collaborating but some vendors are afraid to join forces. Any thoughts why?

 

Tweet Answer: Everyone needs to check their ego at the door and be confident in who they are as part of a team.

Tweet Answer: That being said, collaboration is not for everyone. Control Freaks be warned 😉

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: As a novice designer were you collaborating with other novices or did you seek out veteran professionals (or both)?

Tweet Answer: We try to give younger vendors the break that we were given in the begining. It is important to work with vendors that are going to help elevate and maintain the quality of our brand.

 

#WeddingMarketChat Question: Is popularity of pins on Pinterest an accurate reflect what your brides ask for? been seeing succulents

Tweet Answer: Pin boards are true to the bride that is pinning!