By BRITTANY EDWARDS
Laura Beard didn’t go to school to learn the ins and outs of the eventservices industry. Instead, the 32-year-old Dallas native
honed her party-planning chops in the real world. Her first event was cocktail-waitressing at local socialite couple Steve
and Lucy Wrubel’s wedding in the Dallas Museum of Art. Nearly 10 years later, she’'s running her own staffing and event-planning company called Laura’s Event Services.
Clocking a 60-hour workweek is common for the married mother of two especially when staffing events such as NorthPark Center’s recent weeklong Fashion at the Park runway extravaganza and the grand opening of the Joule hotel downtown. In an average month, her calendar includes everything from planning intimate private dinners to bar mitzvahs, weddings and corporate gatherings for 400-plus people. "“I like the variety of my job. You never know what you’re going to be doing next or where you’re going to be",” she says. "“I could be creating a kitchen out of a garage. Who knows? I love turning nothing into something appealing.”" For every event, she creates a detailed to-do list that includes a custom theme, menus, decor selections and signature cocktails.Then, she secures all her vendors — caterers, liquor companies, set designers —to pull the party together. With a decade in the industry, she has some sound advice for those throwing holiday fetes this season.
She says don’t forget the basics like cranberry juice, limes and especially ice ("“It undoubtedly always runs out",” she says). The expert also recommends keeping precious items safe, especially china. "“When throwing a party, you should never be worrying about something breaking,”" she says. “"The focus should be on your guests — and having a good time.”"
When off the job, where do you like to eat? I’m a foodaholic, but I do try to eat well. I love the Cosmic Cup Cafe [2912 Oak Lawn Ave., 214-521-6157] and La Duni. There’s this great little Thai place in Richardson called Thai Soon [101 S. Coit Road, 972-234-6111].
Favorite shopping destinations? NorthPark [8687 N. Central Expressway, 214-361-6345] is my favorite mall. For something really special I like Barneys NorthPark, Suite 1224, 469-221-4700]. Where do you spend your downtime? Eating! I wake up on Sundays thinking about where we’ll eat brunch. I also go to the Magnolia [3699 McKinney Ave., 214-764-9106] in West Village to see artsy, independent films. If you’re throwing a party, where do you shop? I like Target’s things, especially their stationery department. Party City is great, too, for beverage napkins and paper goods. Ikea [7171 Ikea Drive in Frisco, 972-712-4532] has really fun and reasonable items like trays, and you don’t have to feel bad if something gets broken.
You’re a cocktail connoisseur. Where do stock your liquor cabinet? I go to Centennial on Hillcrest and Northwest Highway [6805 W. Northwest Highway, 214-368- 4162]. Their staff is really helpful, especially when figuring out the quantity of alcohol per person for parties. Plus, they’ll take back unopened bottles.
Brittany Edwards is a
Dallas freelance writer.
