Support Takes Many Forms
- ps
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
As owner of Your Event & Paula Smith Designs, Inc., I take pride in being able to spin many plates simultaneously as a soloist.
I also get a charge by pushing multi-tasking abilities to full capacity when it’s time to power through. It’s taken me many years of work experience as a creative director, designer and event planner to trust my abilities, find an efficient and sustainable pace and know with confidence that I can handle the workload, ebbs and flows with a successful and timely finish. Side note: I am also blessed to have a husband that supports my process and my intensity during peak season. He can sense the uptick as week-of takes hold and he always makes the smart choice of getting out of the way and checking in with me to make sure that I’m good.
Prior to my knee surgery last year, I came home from my one-week precheck with a bag of support tools containing a brace, cane, extension gripper, sock grabber and an aspirator. As a visual person, seeing these items laid out on the counter was a shock to my system. I wholeheartedly believed that I would not need any these contraptions in the next 8 days post surgery to walk, pull things out that were of my reach, get my socks on, and breath clearly. Healing taught me a ton about accepting support. For the record, I reluctantly used each one and know now that there was a sound reason for each item in my kit.
I also know myself well and understand what measures I need to personally take in order to support myself. Quality rest is essential so “early to bed” is my daily mantra. Order and organization from house to studio to inbox, supports my mental clarity and decision-making process. Meditating has become a very handy tool, especially in this past year. This quiet introspective time allows me to regain my center so that I can begin an energized event weekend with a sense of calm intention and focus.
As I take stock of our 2025 event successes and the challenges I faced at the start of the year with recovery from surgery, I am acutely aware and grateful for the most critical support I received and that was from my on-site team of assistants.
This past year, there were new norms for me as I adjusted to a healing process that had its own timeline. I most definitely had to scale back on the number of events I took on, and I was protectively cautious about pushing as hard as I normally do during event week and run of show days and nights. I thought about surfaces I was walking on more, step ladders I was climbing, tables I was moving, the weight of boxes I was carrying and the importance of taking breaks. There was a lot of mental gymnastics around keeping myself in check on those 18 hour days and I will admit, some self judgement.
What quieted my mind and allowed me to relax and remain confident as I executed each event, were the women that flanked me. I truly am so fortunate to have a team that deeply cares about our clients and their guests as much as I do.
By the time, I arrive to the day-of, I am very attuned to our clients so it’s easy for me to joyfully jump headfirst into the doing and caring for. My team on the other hand, comes in having had one online briefing, a detailed timeline, never having met the clients and not always having worked with the specific vendors on the team. They step into the day with less context and yet consistently show up with positivity, gusto, eagerness, stamina, and enthusiasm, regardless of the weather or the circumstances and asks. I can see the joy in their faces when I introduce them to our couple or when one of the family members asks them to take care of a detail. They are so built for this work and are so dedicated to the things that matter to me and that make a difference in the quality of our service and the people we serve . They always have a positive impact in how we execute a day and how we seamlessly work with the vendor teams and assist guests and family members.
When we come together to begin set ups, I notice myself and I am aware that I can now let myself exhale. The carrying of the torch is no longer my own, it’s ours.
I am comforted knowing I can count on them for the many tasks that lie ahead before guests arrive, to the many moments we will share taking care of the guests and our clients, to the “rising-to- the-occasion” when an unforeseen situation presents itself, to the late-night shuttle runs and when we are all finding it hard to take another step, the final clean up. Having this team of women is an incredible boost as the day kicks into action and as it asks so much to the end. I am so grateful for the endless support that my team offers, and I simply could not do what I do without them…thank you so much, ladies!
When it’s time to support them, it’s a joy and labor of love for me.
Each fall and before the holidays set in and not around Halloween week (my assistants are all mothers & wives and juggle a lot with their kids and families), I plan some “give-back-to-the-team” time. It’s always been important to me to celebrate and thank them for a year well done. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed some carefree times together, such as an overnight at the Gather Greene cabins, feast at the Stissing House, a Haven spa day and a Harney & Sons high tea lunch, to name a few. In November, I decided to invite them to our home for cocktails and dinner. We had just finished a 2-year renovation of our home, and I was itching to host.
I truly enjoyed the planning and preparation in creating an evening for them in the comfort of our home that felt special, personalized, celebratory, beautifully detailed and delicious.
I was not quite yet out of the event season so I chose wisely to enlist catering “support” from the Farmer’s Wife and Banana Moon Baking Company so that I could ensure a dinner that I knew would be perfect and not rushes while I was still pulling long works days. Waiting on my team brought me so much joy!!! Of course, they asked numerous times if they could help. I know it pained them to remain seated when they so desperately wanted to stack dirty plates, but they complied and before long, totally relaxed and forgot about any to-dos. Supporting them with their night away from all the responsibilities of their busy lives was a heartfelt effort. It not only completed a proud season, but top of mind, was a reminder of the importance of taking care of those that take care of you. This year, I was very aware of the blessings that have befallen me. With all certainty, these women were top of that list.
Photos: Joshua Brown | Catering: The Farmer's Wife | Cake: Banana Moon Baking Co. | Flowers: English Garden Grown Charger Rental: Columbia Tent & Event Rental
So much love & gratitude to Hillary, Nichole, Kelly, Jodi, Barbara & Karen…my faithful wing women and powerhouses.
I am so grateful to each of you and so excited for the robust year ahead in doing more good work together and making unforgettable memories for our clients.
Thank you so much for supporting me in ALL the ways that matter!
XOXO
Paula
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