Slide Show: 10 Entertaining Ideas From Planner Debi Lilly's New Book

June 6, 2012

As founder and owner of the Chicago-based firm A Perfect Event, Debi Lilly has planned everything from speakeasy-inspired corporate events to Oprah Winfrey's televised 50th birthday bash. Earlier this year, she partnered with Safeway to design a collection of gifts, home decor, and products for entertaining, with all items cashing in at under $20. The collection is sold in 2,000 of the retailers' national outposts, including Dominicks grocery stores. The collaboration inspired the title and spirit of her book, A Perfect Event: Inspired, Easy Elegance for Every Occasion—Grocery to Gorgeous Recipes, Stylist Secrets, and Affordable DIYs, available in stores and on Amazon this month. Here, Lilly provides rule-of-thumb entertaining tips with photos from the book.

Images from A Perfect Event: Inspired, Easy Elegance for Every Occasion—Grocery to Gorgeous Recipes, Stylist Secrets, and Affordable DIYs by Debi Lily. Copyright © 2012 by Debi Lilly. Used by permission of Dunham Group.

"A massive, 'wow' bar display upon entering always makes the first party detail most memorable."

Photo: Artisan Events, Beauty on Call

"A clever, tied-to-the-theme specialty cocktail as guests enter is a must for every party."

Photo: Jason Geil

"Eclectic, beautiful tasting bars are the way to create exciting eye candy on a budget for cocktail parties. Even dinner parties are taking this lead."

Photo: Artisan Events, Blue Plate Catering

"I cannot ever get enough of mini patisserie bars for a jaw-dropping dessert display. Move over, plated dessert, there's a new sweets game in town."

Photo: Jason Geil, Take the Cake

"Candles, candles, candles. They are just as important, actually even more so, than floral for creating ambiance, intimacy, and romance in a room."

Photo: Artisan Events, Art Smith

"Texture is a must for [tabletop] decor—don't stop at flowers in your centerpieces. Bright moss clusters, fruits, and vegetables all add a thoughtful, farm-to-table touch."

Photo: Artisan Events, Art Smith

"I can't set a tabletop without a collection of trays. No more placing a vase on a table—now it's personal, collected elements that make the tabletop beautiful, memorable, and thought provoking."

Photo: Artisan Events

"Decor must tell a story—it isn't just about pretty anymore. French Wine Tasting Dinner? Toile linen, French lavender plants, crusty baguettes wrapped in parchment and twine ... check."

Photo: A Perfect Event, Food for Thought Catering

"I am wild about [hosting events in] small, intimate dining rooms in restaurants. Table 52's second-floor 'attic' is mecca in Chicago."

Photo: Jason Geil, Table 52, Art Smith

"Favors that connect to the purpose of the party, the host, the guest of honor—all are a must. Honey from your Wisconsin bee farm? Infused with your farmed lavender? Done."

Photo: A Perfect Event