Debi Lilly A Perfect Event

What Debi Lilly A Perfect Event does

Debi Lilly A Perfect Event is a privately held, founder-led event planning and design firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1991 and operating with 11–50 employees. The company delivers full-service event production across weddings, private parties, corporate events, and galas, with dedicated practice areas in florals, stationery, and styling. It owns and operates three physical venues — DL Studio and DL Loft in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood and DL Cottage, a vacation rental property in Nantucket, Massachusetts — which generate additional event, photoshoot, and accommodation revenue. Beyond services, the firm operates a branded retail product line ("Debi Lilly Style" and "Debi Lilly Design") distributed through its own e-commerce site, an Amazon storefront, a wholesale channel, and a major retail partnership with Albertsons/Safeway spanning approximately 2,500 stores across 35 states.

The underlying technology is minimal: there is no proprietary platform or software product, and the business is a services-and-goods operation supported by standard web/e-commerce infrastructure (Wix-hosted website). Revenue is generated through multiple mechanics: project-based professional service fees for event planning; published hourly and package rates for venue rentals ($300/hour to $1,700 for 7 hours at DL Studio; $1,000–$2,500/night at DL Cottage); one-time retail transactions for party supplies, stationery, candles, plants, and home decor via own e-commerce, Amazon, and physical retail; and wholesale distribution to retailers. Customer segments span consumer weddings and social event hosts (primary), corporate clients, retail consumers, and wholesale buyers, with secondary offerings including Nantucket Flower Camp workshops in partnership with Girl's Guide to Paris and field-to-vase workshops with California flower farms.

The firm's go-to-market blends direct-to-consumer event inquiries via its website, an enterprise field sales motion for weddings and corporate events, content marketing through a digital magazine/lookbook published since 2012, and active social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram). Brand reach is anchored by founder Debi Lilly's personal brand and amplified through photography collaborations and earned media. The company has not raised institutional funding and operates as a privately held, founder-owned entity with multiple sub-brands (DL Cottage, DL Studio, DL Loft, Debi Lilly Design, A Perfect Event Magazine) under the A Perfect Event legal entity.

Name

Debi Lilly A Perfect Event

Legal name

A Perfect Event

Website

https://debililly.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Debi Lilly A Perfect Event is a Chicago-based, founder-led event planning and design firm serving weddings, corporate clients, and party hosts since 1991, with additional revenue from three owned venues and branded retail products sold through Albertsons/Safeway, Amazon, and wholesale channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Planning Services

NAICS

Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (7139)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Full-Service Wedding Planning (HSACABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Floral Design & Arrangements (HSACAOAA), Pre-Wedding Events Planning (Engagement Party, Bridal Shower, Bachelor/Bachelorette) (HSACABAK), Holiday Party Services (HSACACAF)

Keywords

• Event planning services
• Wedding planning
• Floral design
• Party supplies
• Event venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Planning Services: Full-service event planning for weddings, parties, corporate events, and galas including florals, stationery, and styling services.
2. Event Space Rentals: Rental of DL Studio and DL Loft event spaces for celebrations, photoshoots, and corporate events. Hourly and package rates available.
3. Vacation Property Rental: DL Cottage vacation rental in Nantucket - Main House and Guest Cottage available for daily rental with seasonal pricing.
4. Retail Products: Sale of party supplies, gift items, stationery, party favors, and home decor through own e-commerce, Amazon storefront, and Albertsons/Safeway retail partnership.
5. Wholesale: Wholesale distribution of party supplies and event decor to retailers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Debi Lilly A Perfect Event is a full-service event planning and design firm that organizes weddings, parties, corporate events, and galas, providing florals, stationery, styling, and day-of coordination. The company also operates owned event venues (DL Studio and DL Loft in Chicago) and a vacation rental (DL Cottage in Nantucket), and sells branded party supplies and home decor through its own e-commerce, Amazon, and the Albertsons/Safeway retail partnership.

Product overview

Debi Lilly A Perfect Event operates as a full-service event planning and lifestyle company with a diversified portfolio of products and venues. The core offering includes event planning and styling services across weddings, parties, corporate events, galas, and special occasions, supported by dedicated florals, stationery, and styling divisions. The company manages three distinct venue/property offerings: DL Cottage (Nantucket vacation rental), DL Studio (Chicago event rental space), and DL Loft (Chicago event venue with rooftop garden). Their retail arm includes the Debi Lilly Style line of party supplies and the Debi Lilly Design collection distributed through Albertsons Safeway stores nationwide. Additional offerings include Nantucket Flower Camp experiential workshops and a seasonal Lookbook/Magazine publication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DL Cottage: Vacation rental property in Nantucket, Massachusetts - a fully styled coastal chic cottage available for rental with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths plus guest cottage
• DL Studio
• DL Loft
• Debi Lilly Design
• A Perfect Event Magazine

Products and services

• Parties Service Event planning and styling services for private parties including birthday celebrations, baby showers, and social gatherings.
• Weddings Service Full-service wedding planning, coordination, and floral design for ceremonies and receptions.
• Corporate Events Service Corporate event planning and styling for business meetings, conferences, product launches, and company celebrations.
• Galas Service Gala event planning and production including charity events, fundraisers, and black-tie affairs.
• Floral Service Custom floral arrangements and design for events, including bouquets, centerpieces, ceremony installations, and decorative florals.
• Stationery Service Custom stationery design including wedding invitations, event programs, place cards, and personalized paper goods.
• Styling Service Event and space styling services for décor coordination, table design, and overall aesthetic direction.
• Nantucket Flower Camp Week-long floral fantasy camp experience on Nantucket Island featuring flower workshops, garden tours, sailing, and hands-on floral design education, co-hosted with Girl's Guide to Paris.
• DL Cottage Vacation Rental Seaside vacation rental property in Nantucket, Massachusetts, featuring a historic 1900-built main home and guest cottage styled in coastal chic décor with chef's kitchen, gardens, and firepit; Main House $2,500/day in season and $2,000/night off season; Guest Cottage $1,000/day in season.
• DL Studio Event Venue Rental Fully styled, light-bright celebration-ready design studio in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood with French antiques, vintage piano, chef's kitchen with LaCanche range, and outdoor garden. Available by the hour or as packages, including $1,300 for 5 hours and $1,700 for 7 hours, plus $300 hourly and $300 overtime rates.
• DL Loft Event Venue Event venue space in Chicago with rooftop garden, indoor-outdoor areas, and kitchen facilities for hosting weddings, parties, and celebrations.
• Debi Lilly Style Retail Products Branded party supplies and décor items including confection cubes, wine tags, paper straws, treat bags, party picks, pennants, party cones, and gift tags sold through own e-commerce, Amazon, and wholesale channels.
• Debi Lilly Design Collection Home décor and lifestyle products including plants, flowers, candles, and decorative items sold through Albertsons/Safeway stores coast to coast, featuring fabric-covered pots, felt and pearl floral designs, and aromatherapy candles.
• Party Favors Portfolio Curated party favor items including agate placecards, candles, succulents, candy jars, and themed favor options for events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2500 retail locations across 35 states for Debi Lilly Design products

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Albertsons/SafewaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor retail distribution partnership for Debi Lilly Design collection. Products including Valentines merchandise, candles, plants, and home decor available in 2500 stores across 35 states coast to coast.
• Girl's Guide to Paris (Doni Belau)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host for Nantucket Flower Camp - week-long floral fantasy camp at DL Cottage on Nantucket. Partnership combines Girl's Guide to Paris travel expertise with Debi Lilly floral design for immersive experience.
• American Grown FlowersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner for California Flower Farm Workshop held at Ocean View Flowers. Joint workshop promoting American grown flowers and floral design education.
• Ocean View FlowersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia flower farm venue partner for field-to-vase flower workshops. Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, provides peak season flowers for workshops.
• Por la Mar FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2nd generation family flower farm providing flowering plants for events including mini roses, kalanchoe, and hydrangea. Plants used as centerpieces and broken into guest favors.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BHLDN: Anthropologie-owned bridal and event wear and decor retailer with national footprint. Comparable as a broader-incumbent player in the bridal/event retail space, although product-only, not service-based.

Direct peers

• David Tutera: Celebrity wedding and event planner with branded product lines through major retailers. Highly comparable as a personality-driven wedding planner competing for the same high-end wedding market and retail partnerships.
• Todd Events: Texas-based luxury wedding and event planning firm specializing in design-led celebrations. Comparable on full-service wedding planning, floral design, and styling for high-end events.
• Rafanelli Events: Boston-based full-service event planning and design firm for weddings, corporate, and social events. Comparable multi-service event model, Boston/Chicago tier-city footprint, and emphasis on design-driven celebrations.
• Preston Bailey: Luxury event and floral designer known for high-end weddings and immersive event design experiences. Directly comparable on floral design, luxury wedding specialization, and event production capabilities.
• Marcy Blum Weddings: Luxury full-service wedding and event planner based in NYC and Aspen. Comparable on the full-service wedding planning model, design-led aesthetic, and high-end clientele.
• Colin Cowie: Celebrity event planner and lifestyle brand offering full-service weddings, design, and branded product lines. Comparable to Debi Lilly as a founder-led, full-service event design firm with brand-extension into consumer products.

Emerging players

• The Knot: Leading wedding marketplace and planning platform connecting couples with vendors. Comparable as an aggregator that competes for wedding vendor visibility and consumer mindshare in the planning funnel.
• Zola: Wedding registry, planning, and e-commerce platform with retail product offerings. Adjacent competitor in the bridal product and planning category serving similar consumer segments.

Others

• Eventbrite: Self-service event ticketing and management platform used by event professionals. Comparable ecosystem player that intersects with the corporate and social event segment though it competes on technology, not services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aperfectevent
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/debililly
• Facebookfacebook.com/aperfectevent
• Instagraminstagram.com/debililly
• Pinterestpinterest.com/debililly
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/a-perfect-event

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Debi Lilly A Perfect Event