And I Like Large Parties: Conversations and Cocktails with Influential Women in the Events Industry

Hosted by Anne Marie DeAngelis

Business Entrepreneurship EducationInterviews guests

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Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

I’m Anne, owner of Champagne & Stars Event Decor and host of And I Like Large Parties. This is a podcast celebrating bold, brilliant women in the events industry. Each episode dives into candid conversations about business growth, creative strategy, and the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. It’s smart, stylish, and refreshingly real. So pour a cocktail (or mocktail) and join the party because women in this industry are doing big things! Don't forget to check out my site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com for all of your event decor needs, and visit my Instagram page @champagnestars1 to give us a follow!

Listen to episodes

27 recent

May 29, 2026Episode 151 hr 3 min

Café Bustelo with JC's Art Designs

In this interview, I talk with Jessenia Cosme, the owner of JC's Art Designs, a luxury signage and acrylic design studio in New Jersey, whose work has appeared in brand activations for Netflix, Sephora, and Coca-Cola. Jessenia and her team are trusted by their clients because they blend creativity and design with precision and impeccable execution. We talk about the importance of discipline, protecting your peace as a business owner, the reality of mom guilt, and the pressure women face to perform like they have it all figured out.Go visit her website at https://jcsartdesigns.com/ and give her a follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jcsartdesignsThanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

May 6, 2026Episode 141 hr 3 min

Iced Coffee with DeCourtcey Events

In this episode, I chat with Candice Moore, owner of DeCourtcey Events and The Styled Stem. Candice is a Philadelphia-area event planner with over 15 years in the business. DeCourtcey Events is an event planning, design, and production firm specializing in luxury weddings, corporate and nonprofit events, and elevated destination celebrations. Known for intentional design, hospitality-driven service, and detail-minded execution, Candice and her team create events that feel meaningful and beautifully orchestrated. We talk about how Covid gave rise to a major influx of entrepreneurs in the wedding industry, why pricing your services appropriately is essential for long-term profit, and what Gen Z couples are looking for in weddings today.Go visit her website https://decourtceyevents.com/ and give her a follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/decourtceyevents/Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

March 30, 2026Episode 1329 min

Water with Taylored Events & Rentals

In this episode, I talk to Taylor Smallwood, owner of Taylored Events & Rentals and Loft 441 at Wireworks in York, PA. After working as a venue manager for several years, Taylor started an event rental company that offers event planning services and then opened her own event space. We get into the realities of venue ownership, why hiring employees is a risk worth taking, and how to balance trend cycles with pieces that are timeless.Go visit her site https://www.tayloredeventsandrentals.com/ and go follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tayloredeventsandrentals/Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

March 23, 2026Episode 1246 min

Sauvignon Blanc with Petit Social Studio

In this episode, I sit down with Nikki Chambers, owner of Petit Social Studio in Delaware. After transitioning from wedding planning, Nikki opened Petit Social to meet the growing demand for intimate, thoughtfully designed spaces for micro-events. Since then, she has expanded the footprint of the studio to support more creative sessions like photography and workshops. We get into the realities of venue ownership, the challenge of building genuine connections in a saturated industry, and why meaningful collaboration is key to long-term growth.Go visit her site https://petitsocialstudio.com/ and go follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/petitsocialstudio/Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

March 12, 2026Episode 1132 min

Ice Water with Briana Rene LuxEvents

In this episode, I interviewed Briana DiGregorio, owner of Briana Rene LuxEvents. Based in the Philadelphia area, Briana specializes in custom builds and luxury event design that elevate events and create striking focal moments. Her work has been featured in Modern Luxury Weddings Magazine, and she was recently named one of the Dynamic Women of 2025 by Philadelphia Style Magazine. We talk about the qualities it takes to run a successful business, the realities of balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and the behind-the-scenes essentials needed to execute successful installations.Go follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brianarene_luxevents/Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

February 25, 2026Episode 1033 min

Orange and Spice Tea with Emily Byrne

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Byrne, an award-winning artist and owner of Caricatures & Silhouettes by Emily. With more than 25 years in the industry, Emily has delighted guests at countless events with her remarkably lifelike yet playful caricatures, creating keepsakes people treasure long after the party ends.We talk about how the caricature world has evolved over the years, including the growing presence of female artists, why strong organization is essential for running a successful creative business, and what the rise of AI could mean for the future of the industry.Go visit her website https://emilyarts.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emartiste/?hl=enThanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

February 9, 2026Episode 946 min

Creme Brulee Hot Chocolate with DJ Ryan Lennox

In this episode, I chat with Ryan Lennox, the owner of DJ Lennox: DJ and Photo Booth Services. This podcast usually spotlights women in the events industry, but Ryan has earned honorary gal status. He is a Philadelphia-based DJ with over 25 years in the industry, including a background in radio emceeing. Ryan is known for keeping dance floors packed by blending genres seamlessly and matching the energy of every crowd. We talk about his journey in the industry, what he’s learned working alongside so many women in this space, and what it takes to stay relevant and consistently booked, especially in the wedding world. Go follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/djlennoxdotcom/ and check out his website https://www.djlennox.com/Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

January 7, 2026Episode 849 min

Sauvignon Blanc with Cake to Crumb Sweets

In this episode, I’m joined by Nikki Marshall, the owner of Cake to Crumb Sweets. Based in Delaware, Nikki is known for her beautifully intricate cake designs and delicious confections. We chat about how the event industry has shifted over the past few years, the real challenges of marketing as a small business owner, and why a one-size-fits-all approach to entrepreneurship doesn’t actually work for everyone.Go follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/caketocrumbsweets/Check out her earrings for sale https://birdsongclay.bigcartel.com/Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

October 31, 2025Episode 745 min

Apple Mango Martinis with Sophia Scissorhands

In this episode, I chat with amazing Philadelphia hairstylist Sophia Khan, the talent behind Sophia Scissorhands. With over 15 years in the industry, Sophia has mastered the art of bridal and special-occasion hairstyling, and her work has even been featured in People Magazine. We talk about what it really means to deliver standout customer service, why consistency is key to growing a business, and the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.Go visit her website https://sophiascissorhands.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sophia_scissorhands/Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

September 15, 2025Episode 646 min

Pinot Grigio with Cakery Bake Bakery

In this interview, I talk with Melanie Rash, owner of Cakery Bake Bakery in Smyrna, Delaware. After graduating with a culinary degree specializing in baking and pastry, she decided to follow a passion she’s had since high school and launch her own baking business. Melanie is known for her elegant, bespoke wedding cakes, but she also creates incredible gravity-defying designs in themes ranging from whimsical cartoons to eerie horror. We chat about letting go of imposter syndrome, why supporting fellow local businesses can actually help grow your own, and how to handle the emotions that come with seeing your original designs used to solicit copycat work.Go visit her website https://www.cakerybake.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cakerybakebakery/Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com