I'm a Mom and Here's How I Know You Need to Book That Party Space Out For Yourself…Not Just Your Kids
When I opened Lumi in Birmingham's Battery district, I thought I'd just be helping couples plan their dream weddings. But here's what I've figured out as a Birmingham mom running a business: I spend way more time talking to other moms about why we're amazing at planning Pinterest-worthy parties for our kids but totally phone it in when it comes to celebrating ourselves.
Can we talk about this for a second? We'll spend three weeks researching the perfect bounce house for little Timmy's 5th birthday, but when our own 40th rolls around, we're like "eh, let's just do Olive Garden again." Birmingham moms, we can do better than this.
Let's Be Real About Hosting at Home
Look, I love a good house party as much as the next mom. But can we be honest about what hosting at home actually looks like? You're running around cleaning baseboards at 10 PM the night before, wondering if you have enough chairs, and then spending the whole party in the kitchen instead of actually celebrating. You end up being the event coordinator instead of the guest of honor – and that's not really celebrating, is it?
Here's what I see happen all the time at Lumi: Birmingham moms walk in still in full logistics mode, mentally checking off their to-do lists. But then they see our space – the way that afternoon light hits the brick walls, how downtown Birmingham looks from our windows – and something shifts. They take a deep breath and remember: "Oh right, this is supposed to be about celebrating something awesome."
The Celebrations That Actually Matter to Us
Baby Showers: You're about to become someone's whole world (and lose sleep for the next... well, forever). That deserves more than folding chairs and grocery store cake. It deserves a space where your people can properly celebrate you before you disappear into newborn land for six months.
Milestone Birthdays: Whether you're turning 30, 40, or 50, these aren't just numbers on a cake. They're markers of everything you've survived, learned, and accomplished. Why not celebrate them somewhere that actually reflects how far you've come?
Work Wins: Finally got that promotion? Launched your side hustle? Finished your degree while juggling three kids and a full-time job? These victories deserve more recognition than a quick Facebook post.
Squad Celebrations: The women who've been your lifeline through everything – from toddler meltdowns to marriage struggles – deserve a night that feels as special as they are to you.
"But Venues Are Expensive..."
I hear this all the time, and I get it. Between dance classes, soccer fees, and everything else our kids need, adding "venue rental" to the budget feels impossible. But here's the thing: when you actually break it down, it's often not as much as you think.
Consider what you'd spend trying to make your house party-ready: decorations, extra chairs, better lighting, maybe renting some dishes that actually match. Plus your sanity, which is priceless. A lot of times, renting a space that's already beautiful ends up being the same cost – and you actually get to enjoy your own celebration.
Plus, let's be real – when's the last time you did something just for you? Not for the kids, not for your partner, not for work. Just for you. Sometimes that investment in yourself is exactly what you need.
Making It Happen = Prioritizing you!
The next time you have something to celebrate, ask yourself what would make it feel truly significant. Maybe it's the way afternoon light hits exposed brick. Maybe it's having downtown Birmingham as your backdrop. Maybe it's simply knowing someone else is handling the details while you focus on the moment.
Your celebrations don't need to be extravagant, but they should be intentional. You've earned every milestone, every achievement, every moment of joy. Celebrate them accordingly.
We're fortunate to live in a city that understands celebration and community. Let's extend that same energy to ourselves. Whether it's at Lumi or anywhere else that makes your event feel special, choose spaces that honor what you're celebrating.
You plan beautiful moments for everyone else. It's time to plan them for yourself too.
Lumi is located in Birmingham's Battery district, offering a refined backdrop for celebrations that matter. Learn more at lumibham.com or follow @lumibham to see our space in action.
