Muna Couples, if innovative designs and attention to detail are what you look for in a wedding planner, LB Innovations Events is your perfect match.
In addition to creating showstopping designs that will keep guests talking, LB Innovations Events cares about creating unique and memorable moments for all of their clients. Owner LaTasha Briscoe, shares that her motivation behind planning is, “Knowing that I am the designer behind someone’s dream wedding. That the ambiance I create is what will become a lasting part of their memories.”
Keep scrolling to learn more about LB Innovations Events’ mission-based approach to top-notch wedding planning.
- Name: LaTasha Briscoe
- Business Name: LB Innovations Events
- Founded: 1999, Rebrand 2015
Describe your business
LB Innovations is a full-service event planning and design firm that serves the Washington, DC Metro area, Southern Maryland, and on-location wherever our clients desire. We specialize in Weddings, Social Events, Client Experiences for Corporate and Non-Profit Celebrations. Our approach to design is to throw the rules out the window and allow creativity to flow. We strive towards bringing innovative designs by collaborating with our clients to create unique events with an intricate focus on details. We love to create focal points that will leave guests chatting. At LB Innovations, we handle all floral designs in-house as well as custom items for décor, aesthetics, and build-outs. We also work with an amazing team of vendors that allow us to pull our complete design together with custom elements.
What did you do before starting your business in the event industry?
Before officially entering the industry, I volunteered my services to community organizations, family, and friends at no cost. It allowed me to appreciate the value of my work and develop best practices along the way.
How long have you been in the event industry?
I started planning and designing in 1999. I was still in high school coordinating events for my school and the organizations that I belonged to. My mom was the one that encouraged me to form a legitimate business and start charging for my services. Around the time I graduated from high school, she presented me with the filings for business and trade name registration. She chose the name, LB Innovations because everyone would always say I was innovative in my design approach. While I have gone through several rebrands and service changes, I kept the name.
How would you describe your style?
Innovative of course. I like watching other artists create but when it comes to my event execution, I let my clients’ personality and vision come through. I do not like to do what everyone else is doing simply because it’s social media-worthy. My goal is to please my client not follow the latest trend. I love to mix unexpected colors and elements such as soft tones with metals. I love flowers. I developed a passion to create flowers by playing with grocery store bouquets. I then took a few workshops with some amazing designers that I admire and continued to develop my skill along the way.
What motivates you?
Knowing that I am the designer behind someone’s dream wedding. That the ambiance I create is what will become a lasting part of their memories. Hearing guests say “this is amazing” or the mother of the bride says “I was going to get my girlfriend to do the decorating but honey, you knocked it out of the park.” I recently told someone that I not only have the pleasure of working my dream job, I also get to pursue my passion and fulfill my purpose along the way. Events have allowed me to connect with so many people and grow in other areas of my life such as serving as a coach and teacher to other creatives and being able to minister to couples and families in stressful moments. I absolutely love it!
Why should brides/grooms choose you?
Hiring LB Innovations is growing your family. Since I have been in the business for so long, I am in a position to be very selective with who I want to work with. If I do not get a good vibe from the beginning, I allow those prospects to find someone else to work with. I never pressure anyone to hire me. The feeling has to be natural and mutual. For most instances, we will become connected for a year on average. That may mean random phone calls or text messages in addition to emails and meetings. I want them to feel comfortable and I want my team to feel the same. When I explain to my coaching students how I identify my ideal clients, I tell them I love working with busy people. They understand and respect the value of time. Not because they are all over the place and doing too much but because they too have a way of balancing work and home so that neither are neglected. When a prospective client understands that I am a football mom that will ALSO execute their wedding, they are MY PEOPLE!
How does your company define and measure success?
We measure success in compliments. How many people tell us during the event how beautiful everything is. How many times are photos or videos shared with the caption similar to “my cousin’s wedding was the most gorgeous event I have seen yet.” When people are looking for a wedding planner, designer, or florist and strangers, not just my friends or family tag me. I know they are watching and respect the work I am delivering. That is how I know I have done what I set out to do.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I know this sounds crazy, but spending other people’s money on my own crazy ideas. Yes, my clients usually come with a vision but oftentimes, I have these pretty awesome clients that say: “this is the venue, these are the colors, and we love flowers.” They pay me to do what I want and I get to bask in the glory of the finished products.
Describe a proud moment while working in the wedding industry.
In 2016, after the most recent rebrand of my business, I was finally recognizing my real talent and the value of my work. I attended a planners conference and was honored that year as the Aspiring Planner of the Year. Some that did not know my story may have looked at it as amazing recognition for a new planner on the scene. For me, I looked at the 16 years I had put in before that moment. The encouragement I received from my mother until she passed away in 2009. Recalling the 5-year sabbatical I took after my mothers passed and wanting to walk away from the industry for good. That recognition in 2016 was a reminder of how far I have come and that my work is necessary!
What’s the best compliment you’ve received for your work?
The google review left my client speechless. She stated that she would list all the words to compliment my services, however, she summed it up with “Top Notch”.
What are your business goals?
I eventually want to open a space for creative people to create. I have a few projects in the works so I can’t share too much but just like a library has books for readers, I want a space for creatives.
What’s your favorite part of the wedding industry?
The people. I have met so many people in the industry and through the industry, I know at least one person in every state that I can call for an event-related favor. Our industry is big when you consider all the levels. There are planners, photographers, designers, florists, and the list goes on but we are a tight knit and supportive community that wants each other to thrive in excellence.
Where do you find the most inspiration?
Watching the planners and designers I admire. All around me. Nature will show you how beautiful it is once you are able to look past the traffic, crowds, and buildings. Social media offers insight into areas of the world that we can not just walk to and see. We are able to scroll and search to see ideas and trends from other countries and borrow pieces of their culture to deliver vision at home.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?
I love God so much. I love how he has allowed me to feel empty, broken, failure, and painful but yet, kept me around to change those emotions and connect with others to make them smile. That alone is a reminder as to why I will never let my gifts go to waste and why I will always encourage others to pursue their happy place. I encourage those that have a passion to never get so caught up in the glam of social media that you get distracted from your own talents.
Focus on relationships first. Home and then business connections. They are both necessary for your success but keep in mind your family and those memories cannot be replaced. Balance is key. Developing long-lasting vendor partner connections will help you save time and assist each other in your individual growth. Remember you are your brand but don’t allow your brand to become something you do not represent. I am so excited to see what the next level of career will bring for my business and the new connections I will make along the way.
Follow LB Innovations on Instagram.
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