Debi Lilly is a nationally renowned event-planning expert based in Chicago. She is the founder and president of A Perfect Event - Chicago's most successful special event company with a faithful (and famous) following, including Oprah Winfrey.

A remarkable talent, Lilly is committed to the personalization of every event including Oprah Winfrey's recently televised, 50th birthday bash and the wedding of Heather Headley, the award-winning Broadway actress. Lilly prides herself on being involved in all aspects of her events, from custom invitations and floral design to the gifts and photography. In addition to her business acumen, she deftly balances a demanding career and a growing family.

As President, Lilly is responsible for the management of all A Perfect Event communications, event design and planning, business development, client consulting, research & innovative digital business-to-business and business-to-consumer solutions. Known and recognized as a premier event and wedding planner, she continually serves as an industry expert for such publications as InStyle Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bride's, Modern Bride, Bridal Guide, Modern Luxury's Chicago Social Magazine, Chicago Magazine, and The Groom's Guide. Lilly also shares her expertise as a contributing editor to Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune Magazine and television guest spots on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and ABC 7 News Chicago.

Founded in 1996, her company designs events, flowers and invitations for several high-profile clients and companies including Oprah Winfrey, Brooke Shields, Debra Messing, Cartier, Leo Burnett, Starcom, McDonald's and The Symphony Orchestra among others. Headquartered in Chicago, A Perfect Event has also developed a website to support clients and corporations nationwide and offers online design and planning website services.

Debi Lilly graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Marketing. Semesters were also spent studying business and advertising at Richmond College in London and New York University. A born-and-bred "hostess," Lilly has always planned events both large and small from as young as her elementary years.

Jonathan Ryan is newly relocated to Chicago were he has joined talents with A Perfect Event, Chicago's most successful event company, with a faithful following, including Oprah Winfrey. A Perfect Event is known for its remarkable talent, committed to the client personalization of every event, every detail, invitation, floral, and gift.

As Artistic Director, Jonathan works closely with the founder Debi Lilly to compliment her sense of grace and style with his flare for the avant garde. Between the two of them they can meet and exceed the needs of any client.

It was Oprah who brought Debi and Jonathan together, hiring Ms. Lilly to plan her 50th in Chicago while Jonathan was tapped to make her Bel Air extravaganza for her showbiz pals a stylish soiree worthy of the paparazzi.

His work has graced the pages of dozens of magazines, books, and more including: InStyle Weddings, Grace Ormond Wedding Style, Martha Stewart Weddings, Inside Weddings, People Magazine, "Weddings" by Colin Cowie, "Extravagant Weddings" by Colin Cowie, "I Do" by Jessica Simpson…just to name a few.

Jonathan's experience in special events goes back more than 12 years. At 21 years of age, Jonathan left the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, and his native Providence, to join his brother's event business in Beverly Hills. He then went on to manage event and floral design with the infamous celebrity favorite Mark's Garden. He has worked on most of the biggest star studded events in Hollywood and beyond, including:

The Governor's Ball of the Academy of Motion Pictures – eight years in a row – the most important event in Hollywood. For eight years in a row he transformed the private ballroom on the top of the Kodak Theatre immediately after the Oscars and reserved for past winners and present year nominees.

The TomKat Wedding was a contracted event – he had the plane ticket to Italy, a secret confidentiality agreement signed – only to have a last minute change which took him elsewhere.

Project Runway host and Supermodel Heidi Klum and Seal's wedding was done by Jonathan in their villa on the Mexican Riviera. "Heidi is a beautiful person.", says Ryan who chooses his words carefully.

A personal favorite of Jonathan's was the high-profile nuptials of Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey in Austin, Texas. Jonathan flew to the Lone Star State with the families and newlyweds on their private jet and Jonathan fell in love with "Jess", and her disarming style. Her "I Do" book which detailed her wedding planning experience featured Jonathan prominently and vaulted his career.

Another favorite of Jonathan's, was Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale's wedding which he designed to transform Pat Benatar's backyard in Bel Air.

Other celebrity clients include: Kate Beckinsale, Sting, Tori Spelling, Lisa Marie Presley, and John Travolta.

Jonathan is modest about the accolades he receives. "I recently did a dinner for Robert Margaret Mondavi in the Napa Valley. Margaret came to me after with tears in her eyes to thank me for the evening. This is why I do events."

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Stacy Saltzman relocated from the glam and glitz of Los Angeles where she worked alongside celebrity event and wedding planner Mindy Weiss for almost 6 years. It was within Mindy Weiss Party Consultants that Stacy grew, learned and established herself as an expert event coordinator, focused on corporate events, weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Birthdays, Anniversary Parties, Showers and everything in between that leads up to an exciting celebration.

Originally from St. Louis, Stacy graduated from Indiana University with a business degree in Telecommunications. After graduation she left her Midwest roots for the land of entertainment. There she focused on Hollywood’s most fascinating events; such as weddings and parties for Shaquille O’Neal, Adam Sandler, Tori Spelling, Mary Hart, Avril Lavigne, Michael Dell, Howie Mandel, Kimberly Williams, Brad Paisley and many more. Stacy also has worked on events with FOX, The Dr. Phil Show and ABC’s The Bachelorette.

Stacy’s warmth, smile and excitement are just the perfect addition to our fantastic team. A Perfect Event and the city of Chicago are lucky to have someone with so much knowledge, experience and dedication to creating A Perfect Event.

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Kelsey is every client's new best friend. As an event consultant she carefully plans and attends to every single teeny tiny detail to ensure that they are executed with grace, style and perfection. From vendors to budgets to schedules, from corporate to weddings to social – she plans each event with precision and attention.

After getting her master's degree from St John's, Kelsey followed her heart into the world of planning fabulous destination weddings for the southwest region of California, Arizona and New Mexico. Planning weddings and events became her passion... and now we are lucky enough to have her as an energetic and integral part of our own team here in Chicago. She sure does miss that hot and sunny year round weather though...

Be a guest at your next event…and let Kelsey do all the work, while you have all the fun!

Kelsey has managed our biggest and most detailed events and projects for celebrities, Fortune 500 Companies, brides and grooms and mothers of the bride alike…not to mention dozens of incredible deserving not for profit galas.

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Daniela manages our gorgeous boutique and invitation studio with style and ease... just like she has planned events large and small for the last several years.

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Katie has been running our graphic design and invitation studio for years. Her designs have been seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show, at many celebrity bashes, from the east coast to the west, and beyond.

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