Celebrity party planner Tara Guérard boasts an impressive resume.
The Soirée founder was the mastermind behind Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ Southern nuptials in 2012, and most recently made headlines for debunking the monthslong myth that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are to marry in Rhode Island.
‘I am the wedding planner for June 13th at the ocean house in Rhode island ! Sorry to let you all know, Taylor is not my bride this weekend!’ she recently commented on the Instagram account Wedding Chicks’ post about the A-list couple set to say ‘I do.’
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail at a pre-Kentucky Derby event sponsored by Woodford Reserve in Charleston, South Carolina, Guérard shared that she was inspired to enter the event planning industry by the hospitality icon Martha Stewart.
‘I started Soiree 30 years ago,’ she told us from the luxe Dewberry hotel, clad in a forest-green floral dress and salmon-colored hat fit for the Derby.
‘At that time in my life, I thought I was Martha Stewart anyway… but I loved her and what she did for the world of entertaining.’
The Daily Mail spoke exclusively to Tara Guérard, seen here, from Charleston, S.C., ahead of the 152nd Kentucky Derby
Guérard helped plan Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s 2012 Southern nuptials
A few years later, as Guérard elevated her career as a top party planner, she crossed paths with Stewart, 84, on multiple occasions, including during Lively and Reynolds’ wedding.
The hospitality guru’s magazine at the time, Martha Stewart Weddings, landed the scoop on the details of the couple’s big day, as Stewart also happened to be Lively and Reynolds’ neighbor in Bedford, New York.
Guérard gushed to us about Stewart, calling her ‘so kind and wonderful.’
‘She’s always been nothing but kind and gracious and really a joy to work with,’ the famed party planner shared.
‘She’s pretty cool, but what’s so interesting about her is that you can tell – even chatting with her – that her mind is constantly racing with ideas. She is like the ultimate woman, creative, entrepreneur for us in our world.’
Guérard told us that simply by observing Stewart, she learned a must-have tip.
‘What I learned the most from her over the years and what has been a signature for my business is her attention to detail – no doubt,’ she said. ‘There’s no singular person with attention to detail like that woman.’
The celebrity event planner, seen here with Elizabeth McCall and Erica Cain Missel, shared her best hosting tips with the Daily Mail, including what she learned from Martha Stewart
Guérard gushed to us of Stewart, ‘She’s pretty cool’
Ahead of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, taking place Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky, Guérard shared her best party-planning advice for those looking to host their own fêtes.
She said that number one on her list is ‘having a great bar’ with ‘everything available for all guests,’ including Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, as well as all other kinds of spirits like tequila or champagne.
‘No one’s having fun unless they’re drinking their favorite drink and that’s very important,’ she quipped.
Next, Guérard said it was important to create a ‘great atmosphere’ with ‘great music,’ and said even a specially-curated playlist would do.
She also said food is a must, and recommended bite-sized options that ‘everybody could pick up’ and would make for an easier cleanup for the host later.
Guérard finished off her list by pointing out that hosts should always make sure their parties have a place where a guest could ‘sit down if their feet hurt or their shoes are uncomfortable,’ noting that is ‘always really important.’
One of her go-to mottos, she said, is be prepared and always have a rain plan because ‘then when it does rain, it’s not a horrible thing.’
