Anna’s Sweet Sixteen

One thing I’ve learned after years of planning and executing events: if I walk away with only three photos on my phone, it means the event was a success. It means I was fully present, fully engaged, and fully immersed in creating an experience for someone else.

This year, one of my favorite moments wasn’t a corporate gala or a global employee celebration — it was planning my niece’s Sweet Sixteen. She dreamed of a garden‑party theme, so I built the night around softness, pastels, and whimsy. I found a florist who crafted flower crowns with the girls and helped each of them design a bouquet to take home. We added a custom banner, pastel balloons, and a candy bar filled with all her favorites. Every detail was chosen to make her feel seen, celebrated, and completely in her element.