Marcy Blum is a world-renowned event planner and entertaining expert who's thrown some of the biggest parties for some of the biggest stars. Marcy shares with Nate her insights on throwing the perfect party regardless of your budget.
Whether she's orchestrating a celebration for 30 or 300, Marcy says the formula for a classically wonderful evening is always the same—make your guests feel welcome. "I think people really want to know that you want them to be there," she says. Add a personal message on place cards at a sit-down dinner, for example, to let each guest know you care, she says.
Great food and music may sound simple, but they will lay the foundation for a fun, fabulous night, Marcy says. Dancing is another must-have activity, yet it's also a good idea to provide areas for people to just hang out or play an impromptu adult-friendly drinking game, she says. "People like to think that if they don't want to dance, there's something else for them to do," she says.
When it comes to decorating for a get-together, Marcy goes for whimsical and even quirky details, rather than contrived, stuffy and pretentious. There's also a subtle way to convey elegance that will create a laid-back, enjoyable atmosphere, she says. If you're just trying to impress people, you're probably hosting your party for the wrong reasons, she says. "Who is the party for? You want your guests and your friends to have a ball," Marcy says.
