Author of Weddings for Dummies, contributor to Elle Decor and Town & Country, and event planner to celeb couples like Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, Billy Joel and Katie Lee, and Regis and Joy Philbin, Marcy Blum certainly knows the ins and outs of all things wedding-related. Weddingbells recently spoke to Marcy and got her to dish about the most memorable events she’s planned, hot wedding trends and, best of all, how to host your own swish celebrity soiree without breaking the bank.
ON HER MOST MEMORABLE EVENTS
Marcy admits it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few, as so many of the parties she’s planned have been memorable in some way. A few of her favourites include:
1. Billy Joel singing “Try a Little Tenderness” to Katie at their wedding.
2. A bride who wrote a love song and sang it for her new husband.
3. A groom’s mother, who was a reverend, performing the ceremony.
4. One hundred bagpipers from the NYC Police Department lining the steps of the New York Public Library as the guests arrived from the ceremony.
ON CELEBRITY TRENDS
According to Marcy, celebrities want the same things that us regular folk want. Here are a few key trends to look out for.
1. Smaller receptions.
2. More attention to little details.
3. Even greater attention to security and press leaks than in the past.
4. Brides wearing one dress for the ceremony, then changing into another dress for the late-night party.
5. Some form of unusual or surprise entertainment—for some, friends who are musicians will go onstage and perform.
ON HOSTING A STAR-WORTHY BASH ON A BUDGET
1. Pay attention to the toasts at the reception and the readings for the ceremony; these things cost nothing but make everyone realize what the meaning of the wedding is.
2.Park your money where it’s most visible—on the tabletops. Focus on decor that’s at eye level.
3.Skip the expensive party favours and do something cute and edible, like homemade cookies.
4.Make sure there are enough bartenders (one place never to skimp) and wait staff, even if it means serving a less expensive meal.
5.Serve simple, well-cooked food rather than elaborate or extravagant preparations that cost more and don’t taste as good.
6.Limit the guest list—this is the number one money saver.
7.For decor, use one shade in big statements rather than multicolours.
ON UPCOMING TRENDS
1. More couturiers doing bridal fashion.
2.Unusual venues becoming even more popular than hotels or banquets.
3.Varied entertainment at weddings.
ON IMPORTANT DUTIES TO REMEMBER AS A BRIDE
1. Most important is to remember there is life after the wedding, and people will remember how they were treated while you were planning it!
2.Remember to focus on the moment, particularly during the ceremony—otherwise you really won’t remember what transpired.
3.Remember to thank your parents and his or her parents.
