Real Life Wedding Planning

A recent episode of the WeTV show, “My Fair Wedding”, featured a couple who had planned to have a destination wedding in Mexico but canceled because of  the Swine Flu.  Celebrity wedding planner, David Tutera, saved the day by giving them a wedding in Staten Island, New York that captured the feeling of a beach in Mexico.

Steal his ideas to make a Mexican themed wedding of your own:

Venue

David chose a a venue on the beach in Staten Island, the Vanderbilt at South Beach.  The wedding ceremony was held on the beach.  He set up poles with ivory fabric to create a private space on a public beach.  The sand was covered with astroturf so the guests and the wedding party did not have to walk on sand and white carpet was set out as the aisle runner.  The reception was indoors.

If you select a beach wedding, whether you have a Mexican theme or not, you can set down astroturf and a white carpet with the help of your florist.

Food and Drink

David gave the bride a tasting from a chic Mexican restaurant.  She sampled guacamole, churros and sangria.  David later selected the Mexican menu for her.

If your theme is a country, like Mexico, or any location, try to incorporate food from the region.

Bridesmaid Dresses

The bride originally had the bridesmaids all in yellow but in different style dresses.  To give the women a more festive look, David selected pink strapless floral dresses and gave them all the same dress.

If you decide to use the same color but different dress styles for each of the attendants, be sure the fabric is the same weight and texture.  For example, don’t have one bridesmaid in chiffon and another in velvet.

Colors

David chose the shades of a sunset in Mexico and used it in the linens, table runners, chairbacks, flowers, and even the edible flowers on the cake.

Be sure you incorporate the theme and colors of your wedding in everything from your save-the-date-cards, invitations, attendant attire and decor.

Spectacular Ending

The night ended with fireworks. If you want to end in fireworks, work with a reputable pyrotechnic company that purchases the proper permits and insurance for your wedding.

You can see David Tutera’s video wedding tips on the WeTV website.

If you are looking new floral ideas while you are planning your wedding, watch the new show on The Learning Channel (TLC) television network, “Flowers Uncut with Jeff Leatham”.  Jeff was the artist director for the Four Seasons Hotel in Paris an did the flowers for Eva Longoria Parker’s wedding.

Here is a clip from last week’s show in which he designed floral arrangements for a wedding with a large budget.  Notice that you will not only get ideas on floral design but also how to handle flowers.

Tonight the show doesn’t feature a wedding but you can still get wedding ideas from the fundraising event centerpieces that he designs.

Here is a clip from the show that runs tonight.  It will also be repeated later i the week.

Planning to shape up before your wedding day?  Be sure you don’t overdo it.  The November 2009 issue of Marie Claire magazine featured a short article, “Trendwatch: Here Limps the Bride”.  They say that brides today, concerned about looking perfect for the photographs taken on the wedding day, are pushing themselves so hard they are ending up with shoulder, neck, leg and hip pain and fractures.

Of course you want to look great on your wedding day.  But if you decide to lose weight and get toned, do it intelligently. Talk to health and fitness professionals rather than just trying the latest trends.  Remember that this can be a very busy and stressful time, you want to eat properly, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, exercise safely, and take the time to relax with your fiance and by yourself.

Not interested in having flowers as centerpieces at your wedding reception?  Many couples today are decorating with their tabletops with containers of candy, perfect if you or your groom are known for having a sweet tooth and want to keep a casual feeling at your reception.

Here are some ideas for your candy centerpieces:

• Select candy in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.  At her recent wedding, Khloe Kardashian used gummy bears, ring pops, candy necklaces, M&M’s and Hershey’s chocolate bars.
• Use clear glass containers that show off the contents.
• For visual interest, vary the width and height of the containers.
• Besides traditional glass jars and bowls, try filling old-fashion milkshake and soda glasses, martini glasses, and water goblets.
• Provide small scoops so people don’t have to use their hands.

If you want candy but not as centerpieces, have a candy buffet.  Set a table full of jars or bowls of candy and provide small cellophane bags for guests to fill with the candies of their choice.

Fred Marcus Photography, Brian Marcus

Ivanka Trump, real estate developer, former model, and daughter of Donald Trump, married publisher Jared Kushner in a Jewish ceremony (Ivanka converted to her husband’s religion) on October 25, 2009 at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminister, New Jersey in front of 550 guests.

Here are some ideas you can steal and scale to your budget:

Bridal Attire

Her wedding gown (custom lace and tulle by Vera Wang), hair, and makeup were inspired by Grace Kelly.
Look in vintage clothing stores for wedding gowns from previous eras. Bridal stores also have vintage inspired gowns and many may have “knock-offs” of Ivanka’s gown very shortly.

Ivanka’s wedding jewelry, hair accessory, drop earrings and Art-Deco inspired bracelet was from her own jewelry line, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry.
Bridal stores and fashion jewelry stores have simialr items if you can’t afford to buy from Ivanka’s line. You could also check online for bridal jewelry rental.

Ceremony

Each guest was greeted with a gardenia.
Gardenias are beautiful, fragrant flowers which can be expensive.  You may select a different flower or give a wedding program to your guests when they enter. Use it to list the order of events, names of the wedding party, or explain rituals you are doing in your ceremony.

The chuppah, the Jewish Wedding canopy, was decorated with crystals and flowers.
Ivanka’s chuppah was very lavishly decorated. Talk to your florist and about locally grown flowers that are in season and ask to see other chuppahs they have decorated.

Reception

Tables were decorated with white lilies of the valley, ranunculus, roses, and floating gardenias. The china was white with gold trim and glassware had gold trim. Chairs were gold chevalier chairs.
Again, talk to your florist about white flowers that are in season for the best prices. Party rental companies have a china, glassware, and chevalier chairs in a variety of colors. Your venue, if they provide these items, may also have these items.

13 layer cake for 550 guests was 70-inch tall carrot, chocolate, and almond topped with sugar flowers
You probably don’t need a 13 layer cake. But, if you want a tall cake and are not having very many guests, you can have your baker put in some faux cakes to make it taller. Also, like Ivanka, you can have each real cake be a different flavor.

The first dance was “This Years Love” by David Gray.
You can request your DJ or musicians play the same song.

18 piece Hank Lane orchestra played at the reception.
Use a DJ or find a local orchestra or band to play are your reception.

Favors were flip flops customized with Ivanka and Jared’s names.
You can find stores online that sell personalized flip flops. Instead of using them as favors, which can be expensive, you might want to have them made as one of the gifts for your attendants.

Ivanka’s wedding planner was Preston Bailey.
Preston Bailey, who also planned Donald Trump’s wedding to Melania, has written books featuring his event designs including one on fantasy weddings. Using a wedding planner is a necessity when you are trying to plan an elaborate wedding.

Photos from the wedding can be found in the November 9, 2009 issue of Us Weekly Magazine and at popsugar.com.