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.

I was doing a wedding planning consultation with a bride and groom and I asked about the groom’s cake.  They had not heard of this cake so, in case you also haven’t heard it either, here is some information:

The groom’s cake originates from a tradition in the American South.  The legend is that single women attending a wedding should go home with a piece of groom’s cake and put it under her pillow.  When she sleeps, she will dream of her future husband.

Today, many brides order a cake decorated to reflect their groom’s hobby or special interest and surprise them with it at the rehearsal dinner (to be used as dessert) or their wedding reception.  For example, the Lakers cake above, made by Merci Beaucoup Bakery and featured on the WeTV show, Amazing Wedding Cakes, was ordered by a bride as a wedding day surprise for her groom.

If you want to have the groom’s cake at your reception, rather than serving it, you can use it as a wedding favor.  Have the bakery supply small boxes for slices of cake that your guests can take home and eat later – or put under their pillows!