Stress-Less Planning Tips

Celebrity event planner Marcy Blum shares her insider secrets.

Photo by: Julie Skarratt

Divide Duties
Avoid confusion by divvying up responsibilities into two categories: budgetary and creative. Stick to your category and let your partner handle the other. “I like to think of one person as the chief financial officer and the other as the chief creative officer,” explains Blum.

Be Bold
For maximum impact with minimum input, stick to bright, bold colors when picking a color scheme for your big day. Vibrantly hued decor lends an upbeat energy, says Blum, adding, “I think it’s unexpected for a wedding and it says 'party.'"

Double Duty
Keep your table presentation looking polished and at the same time cut down on your prep work by combining menu cards with place cards. “Ask your stationer to print the menu and leave enough space on top to caligraph or handwrite in the name,” suggests Blum who loves this idea for small weddings.

Coordinate Color
Keeping bridesmaids’ bouquets monochromatic gives them a clean, elegant look. Add textural interest by asking for each bouquet to be a different flower. For a recent wedding, Blum did one bouquet of roses only, another of peonies, one of ranunculus, etc...all in the same shade of pink.

Lighten Up
Want a dramatic look without the price tag? Tall candlesticks of varying heights make pedestrian centerpieces appear grand. “The ‘bang’ is achieved by the high candlesticks instead of more flowers,” explains Blum.