Niecy Nash & Event Planner William P. Miller

I caught up with special event planning guru William P. Miller to get the insider scoop on Niecy Nash and her husband Jay’s one-year anniversary bash! Remember Miller also planned Nash’s glam bridal shower. Read on to see exclusive pics, find out what goodies the guests left with and learn how you too can plan a similar event on a budget.

William’s Inspiration:  I have worked with Niecy in the past so I have a pretty good feel for what she likes. Being that this was an anniversary party for her and Jay, it only made sense that the theme would be centered around love; particularly their love. I wanted the guests to feel love upon their arrival so immediately after valet parking, each guest was welcomed with a refreshing three flavor sorbet cup. This is a great alternative to a welcome cocktail and a pleasant surprise….Niecy loves fresh flowers so we had to use some in the decor. To show their love I accented the floral arrangements with images of Jay and Niecy. This helped tell the story of their first year to their guests as there were images from holidays, destinations and memorable moments. Because love is intimate, we divided their home into various intimate settings, we had a social lounge area that was created with different size ottomans; this was a comfortable area for relaxing and group conversation, a bistro area of intimate size tables which was ideal for those intimate “gotta catch-up conversations”. The Bar Lounge area also served as a dining area. Each area had a different feel and look. We creatively brought it all together.   

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[All images by Earl Gibson.]


William’s tips for recreating a similar gathering on a budget:

  • Niecy and Jay’s invitation was electronic which saved on paper, printing and postage.
  • People often offer a cocktail to welcome their guests, this involves the expense of alcohol and glasses. Consider a refreshing alternative:  Mini cheesecakes or sorbet cups.
  • Not only are Asian fans fun, they are inexpensive and great for outdoor parties, especially on the dance floor.
Other fun facts from William about the bash:
  • The linens were custom designed
  • Since the couple is still in “bliss”, they plan to make this affair an annual event to stay that way
  • Because the event time went from day to night, William had to prepare an atmosphere for both. He integrated the use of several types of lightening:  1. Gobo lighting for texture 2. Pool lights for ambiance plus firefly lights for the WOW factor

Follow William on Twitter at @wpmillermoments and tell him Triple B sent ya!