On our blog, you'll find everything from handy Thanksgiving turkey guides to rental checklists, bar setup ratios, timeline templates, and all the first-hand knowledge we've gathered from two decades of professional event planning.
This blog is a labor of love that we hope will help give you more of the confidence you deserve and a whole lot less frustration.

As promised in my last newsletter about festive paper straws, I wanted to share with you another environmentally friendly alternative practice you can incorporate in your events. It is even something most ladies might be familiar with already. When going to the salon or the spa or even high end hotels, have you noticed that […]

In my previous newsletter I discussed plastic disposable/recyclable stemless wine and champagne flutes. Recently, the news has been abuzz with the announcement that Marriott Hotels is phasing out plastic straws and stir sticks, following the lead of Hyatt and other hotels (USA Today). Starbucks is also moving to eliminate straws from their products, too. (NPR) […]

With my last newsletter still hot on my mind, I was moved to go ahead and order some of these disposable/recyclable glasses myself in preparation for my summer vacations at the Jersey Shore and Block Island. I went to Amazon and started to shop. There are many choices to choose from. I ended up purchasing […]

One of my catering frustrations has been the inability to find suitable stemless glasses- especially flutes. Add to that the need for plastic for outdoor, picnic or poolside events, and the frustration grows more intense. We are all familiar with the heavy walled clear plastic (acrylic or Lucite) wine glasses of the past that if […]

There is a show on the Food Network called “The Best Thing I Ever Ate”- great show! We can talk about food another time… Today’s newsletter could be titled, “The Best Thing I Ever Drank!” When you watch the show, all the presenters, usually celebrities explain that they distinctly remember where they were, what they […]

Food trucks are all the rage today! There are food trucks for every occasion and cuisine: sweet or savory like pizza or popsicles! Food trucks are tons of fun and add an element of surprise and spontaneity- reminding us of our youth! Who doesn’t love to hear the music from the “Mister Softee” Ice cream […]

The practice of Gratitude is all around us today. We hear about it in our Yoga or spin classes to complete our work out sessions. I have also heard the practice to be encouraged in Leadership studies with regards to employees, coworkers and clients as a way of building relationships and trust. Gratitude is also […]

While writing the previous newsletter suggesting this is the perfect time of the year to host small, intimate events in your home, I met Chaundra who wanted to do a Fondue Party to celebrate her birthday with a few close friends; so I included the Fondue idea in the newsletter. I am writing to you […]

We recently discussed grilling Fish, Meats and Veggies; but did you know that you can actually Grill Cheese! Occasionally I get to be a guest! A client, colleague and friend, Inka and her husband Paul, introduced us to this delicious concept. Yes, you literally slice the cheese and place it on the grill, and Grill […]
With years of experience and hundreds of events, our team has learned a thing or two about hosting an incredible and positively memorable event. Download our guide for our free tips on making sure your event goes flawlessly.
Our team leads with logistics, builds genuine relationships with our clients and vendors, and believes that doing things right and ethically is what matters most.
Marylee Santoro, founder and owner of Events by Marylee, has been creating seamless events since 2007, and officially launched Events by Marylee in 2014 after years of planning on the side while working her full-time career. For more than 35 years, she's worked as an environmental analyst and educator, doing work that requires the same obsessive attention to detail and procedure-driven precision she brings to every wedding, gala, and celebration. What started with planning themed formals in college has grown into a full-service planning and staffing company with a team of 95+ certified professionals, built on a simple philosophy: it's not just about the event, it's about the people celebrating it.
“The absolute best team I’ve ever had at a party. Truly awesome.
- Roslyn
“Party was great. The staff was amazing - don't know how they took over our kitchen and figured everything out.
Thank you Mary Lee for the guidance, and I loved the blue and white striped straws - made the party vibe. Looking forward to the next one!”
- Barbara
“Thank you for a wonderful party last night. The food was absolutely delicious and all the little details were taken care of so (my wife) and I were able to enjoy ourselves.“
- Larry