We were lucky to catch up with Parris Balazs recently and have shared our conversation below.
Parris, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers
Early in my career, I experienced something that no planner expects. The officiant for one of my couples, who was also a close friend of theirs, passed away unexpectedly after the rehearsal dinner. The couple ultimately chose not to proceed with the ceremony and instead used the day they had planned as a memorial to honor him.
The morning of the wedding, I immediately contacted each vendor to determine what could be postponed or canceled. By that point, however, many elements of the celebration were already in motion. The food was being prepared, the floral arrangements had been designed, the tent was installed, and the cake was already on its way. Ultimately, the couple chose to gather with family and friends as planned, but to use the day to celebrate and remember their friend rather than exchange vows.
As I navigated that situation, I found myself asking a question I had never considered before: What if they changed their minds and decided they still wanted to get married?
Wanting to be prepared for whatever decision they made, I became an ordained minister online that very morning before leaving for the venue. Thankfully, there was no need for me to step into that role, but the experience changed the way I think about contingency planning.
That experience taught me that contingency planning is not just about weather, transportation, or vendor backups. Sometimes it is about preparing for circumstances you hope never happen. While it was a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved, it reinforced the importance of being prepared, adaptable, and ready to support clients through life’s unexpected moments.
To date, I have never needed to step into the role of officiant, but if and when that day comes, I’ll be ready.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Parris Balazs, and I am the owner and lead planner of Balazs Events, formerly known as Eventfully Chic by Parris. I am a Certified Wedding and Special Event Planner, designer, wife, mother, and entrepreneur with a passion for helping clients navigate one of the most meaningful seasons of their lives.
My journey into the events industry was not a traditional one. Before launching my business, I spent years working across marketing, sales, operations, and client service roles. Those experiences gave me a strong foundation in organization, communication, leadership, and problem solving, all skills that would later become invaluable in event planning. In 2018, I launched Eventfully Chic by Parris and planned my first wedding the following year. What began as a passion quickly grew into a thriving business, and I have now had the privilege of planning and producing more than 150 weddings and events.
Today, Balazs Events specializes in full-service wedding planning, design, and event production for couples who want an experienced professional guiding them through every stage of the planning process. My role extends far beyond creating timelines and managing logistics. I help clients establish realistic budgets, build exceptional vendor teams, navigate complex decisions, refine their event vision, and create celebrations that feel intentional and personal. My goal is to remove stress, provide clarity, and allow my clients to fully enjoy both their engagement and wedding day.
One of the philosophies that has guided my business from the beginning is helping clients find the crossroads of best quality and best value. I believe remarkable events are not created simply because a budget is large. They are created through thoughtful planning, strategic decision making, strong vendor relationships, and careful attention to detail. I take pride in helping my clients invest their resources wisely while creating an unforgettable experience for themselves and their guests.
I believe what sets me apart is my ability to balance creativity with logistics. While I love the design process and creating beautiful, meaningful celebrations, I am equally passionate about the behind the scenes work that makes an event successful. Timelines, floor plans, transportation schedules, contingency planning, vendor management, and guest experience are just as important as flowers and décor. Great planning happens long before wedding day arrives.
Over the years, I have been honored to receive recognition including Wedding MBA Elite Certified Wedding Planner and Designer status, multiple WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards, The Knot Best of Weddings Awards, selection to Business Elite’s 40 Under 40 USA list, and recognition as one of the top wedding planners in the Columbia, South Carolina region. While I am grateful for those accomplishments, what I am most proud of are the relationships I have built with clients, vendor partners, and industry colleagues. Many of my couples stay in touch long after their wedding day, and a significant portion of my business comes through referrals, which is one of the greatest compliments I can receive.
Above all, I want people to know that I care deeply about the work I do. Every wedding represents a unique story, a family, and a milestone that can never be recreated. I do not take that responsibility lightly. Whether I am helping a couple select a venue, refine a budget, develop a design concept, or navigate an unexpected challenge, my focus remains the same: providing trusted guidance, thoughtful expertise, and an experience that allows my clients to be fully present and enjoy the celebration they have worked so hard to create.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots in my career came after I had already built a successful business.
I launched Eventfully Chic in 2018 and spent years building the company, refining my process, and serving couples throughout South Carolina and beyond. As the business grew, so did my understanding of the type of work I was most passionate about. I found myself increasingly drawn to highly personalized celebrations where I could become deeply involved in both the planning and design process.
For a long time, I thought growth meant continuing to expand the business in the same direction. Instead, I realized that growth sometimes means becoming more selective and more intentional.
That realization led to the creation of Balazs Events.
Rather than focusing on serving more clients, I shifted my focus toward serving a smaller number of couples at a higher level. The Balazs Events brand was created to reflect a more refined planning experience centered around full service planning, design, and production. It allowed me to align the business more closely with my strengths, my values, and the type of client experience I wanted to provide.
The pivot taught me an important lesson: success is not always about doing more. Sometimes it is about having the confidence to evolve, redefine your vision, and build a business that reflects who you have become rather than who you were when you started.
Today, Balazs Events represents years of experience, growth, and intentional decision making. Looking back, that pivot was one of the best business decisions I have ever made because it allowed me to create a brand that feels deeply authentic to both my clients and myself.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for my business has always been referrals.
While marketing, social media, and online directories certainly play a role in helping couples discover my work, the majority of my inquiries come from past clients, venue partners, photographers, florists, and other event professionals. I consider that one of the greatest compliments I can receive because it means people trust me enough to recommend my services to someone they care about.
The wedding industry is unique in that relationships matter. Couples are inviting you into one of the most important seasons of their lives, and vendors are trusting you to represent their work well. Because of that, I have always focused on creating a positive experience for everyone involved, not just my clients. Clear communication, professionalism, preparedness, and treating people with respect have become the foundation of my business.
I also believe referrals are earned long before wedding day arrives. They are built through consistent follow through, honest guidance, thoughtful problem solving, and a genuine commitment to serving others. When clients feel supported and vendor teams enjoy collaborating with you, those relationships naturally lead to future opportunities.
After planning more than 150 weddings and events, one of the things I am most proud of is that so much of my business continues to come from repeat referrals. It reminds me that while beautiful events are important, the relationships built along the way are what create lasting success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.balazsevents.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balazs.events/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balazseventsllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parris-balazs/
Image Credits
Lauren Ryals Photography
Carters Creative Photography