LWP: Let's start with the vitals. When did events etc get started?
BYERS: Six years ago in Nancy O'Hearn's (CEO) living room.

LWP: Just how big is Events Etc.?
BYERS: Fifty thousand square feet.

LWP: How many floors is that?
BYERS: How many basements is that? We have three basements and an upstairs and a warehouse…about 5 floors. One basement is full of nothing but Christmas, and of course our wedding department columns, unity candles, flower arrangements.

LWP: How many designers do you have?
BYERS: Five plus me.

LWP: What is the strength of Events Etc.? How do you pull together and design your events?
BYERS: Teamwork. When a call comes in, I get the statistics and I know who excels in flare ,in execution, and I also look at the calendar to see who's free. And I will pass it on to that designer. We brainstorm on each event and get everybody's input. Something you might not think of might come from somebody you never dreamed would think of it.

LWP: Where do you get these props?
BYERS: We go to the event shows, but you would be amazed were we find these props. Retail stores call us because they know we buy big and unusual things. And many times big can be a wow factor. Every event needs a wow factor.

LWP: What has changed in the last five years, and what are the latest trends in event design?BYERS: Themes. We had a wedding reception not long ago that was a jungle theme. Every bit of foliage we had in here went to that reception hall. I think they've become more extravagant. It used to be a competitive thing of how many people you had, now it's with how different it can be. I'm not saying that traditional has gone out the window by any means, but I still like doing a traditional wedding.

LWP: What kind of themes have you done?
BYERS: Hollywood themed rehearsal dinners: we made the bride and groom the stars; we had autographed pictures of them and film reels as center pieces. Baseball theme: we made baseball cards with stats of the relatives as center pieces. Oriental, African, Tropical Themes, even Wizard of OZ.

LWP: What would you say is the most important part of the décor for a wedding reception?
BYERS: Cover the tables and chairs. That can make all the difference in the world. If you have your wedding at a church, most churches can stand on their own with very little decorations. Take that money and put it in the reception.

LWP: What tips would you give a bride when planning her wedding; what are some of the first things she should do?
BYERS: Secure your venue. Most places are booked a year in advance.

LWP: What kind of information should a bride give you?
BYERS: We interview her. She should tell us what she sees when she walks in. Give us the budget; no budget is too small. Give us basics, and we will make it look like your dream.

LWP: What would you say to all of the brides reading this interview?
BYERS: Enjoy your wedding day. Don't let it be a blur and have to relive through photographs.