While designing weddings, I often help brides (and grooms!) create fun, personality filled ideas for "ETC" parties. Definition: ETC. parties are those surrounding the wedding, such as engagement parties, welcome receptions for out of town guests, rehearsal dinners, bridesmaids luncheons, groomsmen outings, and other fun gatherings to celebrate upcoming nuptials! In order to gain inspiration, I am constantly on the lookout for savvy ideas to make your party a hit. Hosting soirees are so much fun and don't you just love it when guests rave about your parties - the food, the centerpiece, the effortless look! Well, I do! One of my favorite peeps to Follow on Facebook is Martie Duncan of Martie Knows Parties
I had the opportunity to interview her majesty, "Martie Knows Parties" and here's what she had to say. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
KKW: So, let's kick this off right...what's your all time favorite party idea? Can you pick just one idea or one genre..i.e. - a fav food, fab libation, or type of celebration?
MD: Casual. Relaxed. Fun. Tailgating would probably be my fav… parked on the side of the field somewhere, hanging out with friends! Now, sometimes I go to extremes with my tailgating; but I think that’s simply a Southern thing. I might show up with a sofa and a recliner along with my cooler and grill. You never know!
KKW: What prompted you to become martie knows parties?
MD: I’ve always been “Martie with the party” to my friends… but the genesis of it becoming a business entity was really one of those weird things that just happen. I didn’t plan it. In 2007, I was in Seattle, in meetings with Microsoft on content development for MSN. I was pushing a wedding oriented agenda, since that’s been my business for 20+ years. But Microsoft wanted a broader view of celebrations and entertaining in general and asked if that was possible. Since I’ve always been the party maker in my circle, I replied, “Well, my friends don’t call me Martie with the Party for nothing”…and the brand was born. We launched in partnership with Microsoft in early 2008 with prime placement on MSN Lifestyle… can you imagine, my picture right between legendary chefs Jose Andres and Jacque Pepin! Our how-to party videos and slideshows are now exclusively seen on MyRecipes.com… the best recipe resource for anyone who likes to entertain.
KKW: What question do you get asked the most from DIY party planners and how do you answer it?
MD: The #1 question I get is for help getting started. People just want a place to jump off and get things going. I simply generate the inspiration. Whether it is help with food, drinks or a menu to decorations or an overall theme—they usually tell me what they are working with and then I give them some ideas to get them going. I get hundreds of emails every month from people wanting help or advice planning a major celebration. Even if it’s for a small crowd, that doesn’t mean it’s not significant. Parties make memories that will last a lifetime. People just want to get it right. Or at least do the best they can with the resources they have.
KKW: On behalf of my lovely brides, is there a trend right now in bridesmaid lunch/brunch or welcome receptions for out of towners that you are loving?
MD: Wow, I get a lot of my own inspiration from them! Brides today are so creative. I love that they appreciate tradition, but are not bound by it, incorporating their style, their personality, or their heritage into their party themes. I love it! One trend I really like is the idea of using funky, unique venues for a celebration and build the party theme around it. I just attended a rehearsal dinner that was hosted at a farm. The menu was all “farm to table” and grown on the property, served on picnic tables. Farms, barns, rooftops, racetracks, ballparks, etc… I love it when brides and grooms share their interests with family and friends. I like the idea of a Top Chef party or a Pickling Party where you pickle and put up fresh veggies instead of a traditional kitchen shower for that foodie in your life.
KKW: Let's talk about styling food...how important is presentation?
MD: Wow-it’s everything! People eat with their eyes first. You know how excited you get when you see food that looks gorgeous…you can’t wait to try it! So, the secret is to make the food look delicious before the first bite. I learn from every chef, caterer and wedding stylist out there and then translate their gorgeous work into presentation ideas that are easy to do at home. People think I am nuts because I take photos of every dish I order when dining out. My iPhone is full of them. And don’t forget the garnish! A pretty garnish makes dishes and drinks look “finished”...garnish is very important.
KKW: What about budget, can you REALLY be cost savvy and host an amazing party? give us the tips...
MD: Sure you can. I can throw a great party for very little--- BUT that depends on what I am serving, how many people, and what the situation is. What I typically do NOT do is to spend a lot of money on matching tableware, accessories, or party store items. That can really add up! I borrow, use things in a new way, and really plan so I don’t spend unnecessarily. You’d be so surprised at what you can find in your basement or cabinets. Take a look around and be creative… not crafty. I don’t have time to make things and I’m not crafty. I just use things in a creative way. For example, I found a beautiful aqua blue drop cloth that I used for a tablecloth… it was the perfect color for our party theme and was only $9. You can’t beat that. I use pretty water bottles for vases. I use my yard for leaves and flowers. One large leaf can be all you need for a striking arrangement. And use your food and beverages as decorations. That’s what the caterers do to cut down on actual decorations!
KKW: Curious, do you host at home soirees much yourself for your own friends and family or do you get your fix helping others entertain?
MD: I used to, but over the past two years or so, it’s been mostly work. Our photo shoots are like mini parties since I work with a lot of people I consider good friends… and the live shows are big parties; we have so much fun! These days, it seems as if we have a party wherever we go!
KKW: If you do enjoy entertaining, is there one thing you do in preparation for your party that everyone should do when hosting an at home shindig?
MD: I love an impromptu party, those are the best kind! Just call people up and tell them to come over for some good food and good times. But if I am planning a wedding, or a big event, the most important thing is a good plan. That keeps me on track with what I have to do and it keeps me from overspending, too. For a wedding, I always make up a story board with photos and swatches of what I plan to use. That way, I can visualize everything. Then I make a shopping list, a timeline, and before you know it, it’s all done. I always “stage” my tables beforehand and take photos so anyone helping me can see my vision. Then, I label all of the serving pieces and the decorations so I know what goes where. That keeps me from scrambling, looking for one more platter as guests are arriving. Oh, and ice!! Have plenty of ice. You never have enough.
KKW: Lastly, who or what is your go-to for inspiration and party ideas?
MD: I get inspiration from places I’ve been and things I’ve been lucky enough to do. I just attended the most amazing birthday party in London and I can assure you, I’ll be using some ideas from that one… I probably won’t hire the London Philharmonic like they did, but I got some great ideas nonetheless. While I create a lot of my own recipes these days, I also watch a lot of Food Network for food and menu inspiration. Bobby Flay, Ina Garden, and Giada De Laurentiis are some of my favorites. And of course, I am always inspired and in awe of the weekend warriors—those wedding caterers, floral designers, and stylists who make wedding magic and dreams come true every weekend.
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