In honor of FS Weds 2014, the upcoming bridal showcase by Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, we spoke with Marcy Blum, an internationally-known wedding and event planner that will be among the panel of wedding experts during the VIP Luncheon. Renowned as one of the first to create inventive yet elegant alternatives to the “cookie-cutter” wedding, Marcy has lent her expertise to various publications and, just this year, released the third edition of her best-selling book, Wedding Planning for Dummies. She has appeared on several television programs, including Oprah, The Today Show, The Nate Berkus Show, Rocco’s Dinner Party, Good Day New York and The Early Show – even a few party planning shows in Japan! She graciously shared a bit about her experiences in preparation for this Sunday’s showcase.
What led you to becoming an event planner, and particularly, a wedding planner? I became an event planner after studying both cooking (I was trained as a professional chef) and acting. It seemed to be the perfect amalgam of what I knew and liked to do.
From what sources do you derive most of your inspiration when creating a wedding? I try to stay away from Pinterest, at least until I have formed some of my own ideas. I get inspired by my clients, fashion, food, restaurants – really everything in life. It doesn’t have to relate to a wedding to be inspirational.
When planning a wedding, what’s your first step? I always encourage our clients to dream a little and tell me about the sort of wedding they would have if budget, time, or space weren’t an issue.
What should a couple know before they approach their wedding planner? They should have a pretty good idea of what they want in a planner. Are they looking for a logistician? A designer? An accountant? Each planner has their specialties.
How have you seen the wedding industry change over the 27 years you’ve been in the business? The industry has changed enormously, mainly because 27 years ago there wasn’t truly an industry!
You’re known for deriving from the “cookie-cutter” wedding. What does “cookie-cutter” mean to you? Cookie-cutter doesn’t necessarily mean old fashioned, it just means that everyone’s weddings look alike and have the same rhythm. Having a passed tasting plate assortment instead of a sit down dinner is an example of a wedding that isn’t “cookie-cutter.”
Can you share a bit about a few of your favorite weddings that you’ve planned? There are so many! But in particular, I planned a wedding of 130 people in Tuscany last summer inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream. LeBron James’ wedding to his high school sweetheart Savannah was private and touching. Billy Joel and Katie Lee’s wedding was a music and food extravaganza!
As a wedding planner, what’s your strategy for handling the day of? For the day of, you must have double the amount of people you think you need and begin three hours earlier than you think you need to. I’ve learned!
You’ve planned weddings internationally as well! How do cultural differences and traditions change your approach? The trick with international weddings is to integrate the traditions of your location with family traditions, as well as create new traditions. You want to hire a lot of local talent, spend money, not bargain, and generally avoid being “the ugly Americans.”
Which aspect of a wedding holds the most meaning to you? Honestly, the most meaningful weddings to me are those at which the bride and groom are less concerned with the details of “the wedding” and more concerned with the marriage. – Alexis Blair
Marcy will be joined on the panel by Julie Sabatino, founder of The Stylish Bride, Sade Awe, founder of The Bridal Circle, and Kim Forrest, editor at WeddingWire. Guests at the VIP Luncheon will be treated to a panel discussion with these experts while dining on delectable fare by Executive Chef Oliver Beckert with wine and champagne pairings. Post-luncheon, VIP guests will enjoy a first-class fashion show highlighting the premiere bridal and wedding party attire for 2014, as well as receive first access to Baltimore’s best vendors at the showcase.
2014 FS WEDS: A WEDDING SHOWCASE
Sunday, March 9, 2014
VIP Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.
General Admission at 2 p.m.
VIP Luncheon & Admission is $85 per person (all inclusive)
General Admission is $25 (all inclusive)
For more information on FS Weds 2014, please click here.
