Wedding tips from Preston Bailey
Preston Bailey is an internationally celebrated event designer and wedding planner. Preston’s one-of-a-kind events, which include the most extravagant weddings and galas for royal families across the globe, have earned him a reputation as the world’s preeminent event designer.
He has attracted such clients as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, Joan Rivers, Donna Karan, Liza Minnelli, Matt Lauer, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, Laurence Fishburne, Emmitt Smith, and Bill Cosby. Here are some terrific wedding tips and trends from Preston himself.
Reception
More and more I am seeing the trend of couples hiring a celebrity vocalist at their weddings. We have had Stevie Wonder and Patti LaBelle, just to name a few. Music is becoming a bigger part of the reception. Couples who can’t afford to hire a celebrity can have a local band or singer perform at the wedding instead of a DJ.
Venues
Destination, destination, destination!
I just see this trend getting bigger and bigger. I love these events because everyone from the mother of the bride to groom’s childhood best friend really relaxes and focuses on the spirit of the wedding.
Invitations
I really like that people are being a bit more playful with the look of their invites.
I also love that more and more couples are creating wedding website with all the logistical information.
Not only does this cut down on paper in the envelope and make your wedding a little bit greener, it lets the design of the invite shine which sets a tone for the whole event.
Entertainment
Along with celebrity performers, couples are taking it upon themselves to entertain their guests. In the past couple of months, I have seen some really wild first dances, I am sure you have all seen the phenomenal “Sir-Mix-a-Lot” dance on YouTube, which really sets the tone for the party. At an event we did, the couple hired look-a-like professional dancers and dressed them in the couple’s wedding outfits. They went out on the dance floor for the first dance and blew the guests away with a tango. They quickly exited the dance floor, and in walked the real couple!
Other expert wedding trends
“Renting a tux is no longer the only thing that is being borrowed for the big day — brides are also taking part in this wedding tradition, but in a whole new way,” says Shannon Nelson at Pierce Mattie Public Relations. “Just as celebrities don borrowed jewelry and other items for their walk down the red carpet, brides are seeking out retailers who also have a rental option available for their accessory needs. Bag Borrow or Steal is one such retailer that allows jewelry rental from such names as Vera Wang, Miriam Haskell and Chanel to handbags from Rafe New York and Badgley Mischka for as little as $10 a week.”
“Wardrobe changes! The bride will show everyone it’s her party and she can change if she wants to. Expect this year’s bride to have two to three different looks throughout the wedding day,” says Vanessa Wakeman, CEO of Indulgence Weddings and Events in New York City. “Weddings are becoming theatrical. While cookie cutter weddings are a rarity these days, couples will stop at nothing to create a wedding that is completely different from anything else. From dramatic entrances to jaw dropping decor and food, weddings will truly be productions with producers, prop masters and stage hands in the background to make it happen.”
More wedding planning tips
- Wedding food trends
- Wedding dress rules: Bridal gown mistakes to avoid
- The ultimate guide to planning a bachelorette bash
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