We had the good fortune of connecting with Libby Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Libby, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
I feel people don’t understand how hard the wedding planners work. I always think of it like getting a movie role. We are always trying to get “noticed”, to get booked for an amazing event. We don’t have weddings every weekend and we probably put in the most hours out of every person that is hired. When a wedding is over, it’s the same as filming. It’s over. Then we start the process again. A wedding planner also works the most hours on a wedding day. We oversee the whole event to make sure everything is taken care of and the couple doesn’t have to worry about anything. It’s really hard work, but the happiness in my clients keeps me going!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I feel I have had a view to the world that helped me see all the differences in the world. Rich, poor, straight, LGBTQ+, Caucasian, and a minority. I see things from a very neutral perspective. I am mixed Caucasian and Mexican, and I raised in a “Rainbow Family”. I grew up in a lower economic neighborhood, went to school with a lower economic status, but I also went to a school with a very high economic status in another part of the city. I have seen many prejudices and how people are treated differently based on where they are from.
I am proud that I am able to work with everyone because I know we are all different, but one person is never better than another. I pride myself on working with the more creative aspects of the wedding industry and creative people.
I want to support my clients and help them create an event that is a guest experience and also represents who they are. I am proud that I have been able to work with different cultures and different religions. I listen to what they want, I pay attention to other cultures, I do the research and I ask the questions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would go to Solvang and hang out on the Central Coast!! My family and I love going up there. It’s peaceful and there is really great food! We would definitely eat at Paula’s Pancake House and the Belgian Café. We would get guava danishes from Birkholms Bakery and sit looking at the valley. I would probably schedule a time when we can go to a BBQ. We would definitely go to AJ Spurs for a great steak dinner. Pismo Beach for the best Cinnamon Rolls. We would definitely go to Hearst Castle and stay at the Madonna Inn. We would also eat at the Copper Café and at their steakhouse.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I read a lot of inspirational books. Jen Sincero’s You Are A Badass had me jump off the sofa and say, Okay I am going to do this! I also have a best friend in the industry, Claudia Terrazzas, of Time With Terrazzas. Having other planner friends is very important because it’s an emotional ride. We have been on a very similar path together and we have supported each other along the way. She is definitely one of my biggest cheerleaders and has always been there for me.

Website: https://DragonflyEventsOC.com

Instagram: Dragonflyeventsoc

Image Credits
Nicole Caldwell, Photographer
Lily Tapia, Photographer
Luis Martinez, Photographer

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