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A United Airlines career unexpectedly led William Miller to wedding planning. And through the proverbial word-of-mouth, Miller became a wedding planner-to-the stars. A United Airlines career unexpectedly led William Miller to wedding planning. And through the proverbial word-of-mouth, Miller became a wedding planner-to-the stars. Miller’s helmed the weddings of Oscar-inner, Mira Sorvino; actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and Grammy-winner Jerry Peters.
As an airline project manager, his co-workers recognized his organizational skills and creativity and began to ask him to plan events, including retirement parties, and, eventually, weddings. When he became a concierge, he established relationships with many celebrities including Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Cindy Crawford, Michelle Kwan, Diana Ross and others.
It was his sister’s wedding that turned his career-tide. Their father’s recent death set emotions on high and Miller was intent on making this family wedding meaningful and special.  This passion led him to Milan, where he chose the fabric for her wedding dress, and to shuttle between Los Angeles and Chicago in the planning, which included a string orchestra and dove release. By the time Miller proudly escorted his sister down the aisle, he had an epiphany: he’d found his true calling.
Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino met Miller at a Malibu street fair and struck up an acquaintance After she and former waiter-turned-actor Christopher Backus first married in a simple Santa Monica, Calif. civil ceremony, she enlisted Miller to help with her follow-up destination wedding. In Capri, Italy. Sorvino’s choice harkens to her Italian heritage.
The then four-months pregnant (with the couple’s first child, daughter Mattea; they now also have a son, Johnny) Sorvino needed a quick turnaround, and Miller, with suggestions from Sorvino and Backus, designed the couple’s elaborate invitation.
“Time was against us,” recalls Miller, “as [the invitations] had to be done in a week.” But he still managed to send out the 200 handcrafted invitations that took 1 ½-hours each to create. Miller recalls fondly, “Mira’s Giorgio Armani gown was awesome.”
Miller says that by 2005, he went from wedding planner to wedding producer. He was tapped to handle actress Sheryl Lee Ralph’s lavish wedding to Pennsylvania state senator Vincent Hughes. Ralph’s make-up artist and hairstylist recommended Miller. Miller joined Ralph when she met with designer Tadashi, who created her fairytale gown.
Ralph’s wedding allowed Miller to explore the most sumptuous elements available and included such items as a $50,000 Mikimoto tiara, 100-member gospel choir and décor of more than 10,000 pearls.
The wedding party included Singer Patti LaBelle and actresses Jennifer Lewis, Victoria Rowell, Niecy Nash, and Loretta Devine. Also in attendance were AJ Johnson and Divorce Court’s Judge Mablean. The event proved of tremendous interest to the media and was covered on Entertainment Tonight and in several magazines.
Earlier this year, Miller’s former co-worker Ginger, a 55-year-old first-time bride, married Grammy-winning composer Jerry Peters (Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind & Fire, Lee Ritenour). It “was spectacular,” Miller says of the wedding, which featured performances by Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis and Ta-Ta Vega.
Undoubtedly, Miller’s sister’s wedding had such an impact, that in a William P. Miller Special Events’ ceremony and reception, “the most important element is to incorporate significant and meaningful elements,” he stresses. An example of a Miller-esque idea: instead of assigning guests a table “number,” each table is named after the couple’s favorite restaurants (ie “You’re at The Charthouse,” or “You’re at the Ivy.”)
To express gratitude for a guest’s attendance, Miller emphasizes the importance of being certain every guest is greeted and provided with instructions. While a couple is having post-ceremony photographs taken, be sure that guests are properly attended to, with entertainment or refreshments while they wait for the reception to begin.
And as the trademark of a Miller-produced wedding, heartfelt gestures are encouraged. He tells groomsonline, “The best thing a groom can do for his bride is ”to be involved in the planning process;” when asked his opinion, he says, “be open and honest,” adding, “he should provide the bride with any information she requests in a timely manner, like guest names, addresses, groomsmen’s names).”
Lastly, there should always be an emphasis on thoughtfulness that Miller hopes will enlighten each of the marriages he’s help start. He advises grooms: remember to buy your bride a special wedding present “and have it delivered to her while she is dressing for the wedding ceremony.”
www.wpmillerspecialevents.com
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