Hello my dears! I am thrilled to tell you about the phone conference I got to sit in on with David Tutera and WE TV a couple weeks ago. See below for the advice and words of wisdom that Tutera had for all of us wedding bloggers.
How do you bring guests into the celebration? Create an interactive experience for guests – have them become part of the event. It’s all about creating an experience.
What are some good tips for brides on a budget? It’s important to not get overwhelmed with budget issues – pay attention to the details. Details don’t cost money (but they do cost time). Another tip: Pick one color and use it in abundance, and use cheap things that can aid in creating that “wow factor”, like water and candles.
What are popular colors for weddings these days? In the next few years, we’ll be seeing warmer tones – bronzes and coppers. Purple is popular now, as is the whole style of “vintage clam”.
Tell us your thoughts on the Do It Yourself Wedding movement. For wedding planners – draw your line in the sand. It’s great that brides want to get crafty and do things themselves, but the wedding planner or coordinator doesn’t need to be finishing projects for the bride.
Of all the great books you’ve written, which is your favorite and why? The Party Planner because it’s the most helpful for any reader who wants to recreate the ideas shared in the book.
Good tips, as always. Check out this little video about David’s new (and first) fashion line:
Don’t forget to watch David’s new season of
My Fair Wedding too, on WE TV, Sundays at 10/9pm central. He works wonders for his couples!
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Hey ladies and gents! I’m thrilled for today’s post! We got to ask Mr. David Tutera, one of my absolute favorite “wedding celebrities”, a few questions. He has teamed up with WE TV and I know I couldn’t be more excited (what’s better than wedding shows and a wedding planning “grand master”?!).
Here, the first three questions are more for brides and grooms, while the second three are you all of you wedding pros out there. Enjoy!
1. We’ve seen you tackle some pretty tacky wedding situations on My Fair Wedding. What advice can you give to couples in the wedding planning stage to help them avoid falling into a tacky trap?
Much of the tacky décor I have seen on the show stems from a common mistake people make…They fill their receptions with too many poor-quality items because they are cheaper, instead of using fewer pieces of tasteful, quality décor. My advice to anyone starting to fall into this trap is that less, really is more. So instead of a tacky napkin silk flower napkin embellishment, you can do a stunning napkin fold for free and add a little bit more budget to your centerpieces.
The other common mistake I see is when brides take a theme too literally and it ends up looking like a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Themes are a great way to incorporate personality into your day, but my advice is to use only subtle touches of the themed elements. The rest of the décor can be pulled together by using the colors that work with your theme but still maintain an upscale look.
2. What decor elements would you recommend for a couple wanting a luxe look for less?
There are so many great tricks for achieving a luxe look for less. One of my favorite luxuries at a wedding is having custom printed menu cards at each seat, but this same feel can be achieved by having only one card printed per table and placing it in a frame that will compliment your décor. Another luxe touch at a wedding is custom chairbacks, but the same look is attainable by weaving inexpensive ribbon back and forth through the spokes of a ballroom chair in a beautiful pattern. Of course, for adding romance to a room, the power of votives and flower petals is tremendous!
3. What is the single most important thing for a couple to remember when it comes to planning a wedding (aside for remembering the reasons they are getting hitched in the first place)?
The one thing I would like to remind all couples is that a wedding is about the union of two people. It is the union of their families, personalities, hobbies, heritages and traditions…
I say this as a tip for brides who may get a little selfish in the planning, and also as a great tip for ensuring a personalized wedding. The entire day will automatically be more special for the couple and the guests if everything from the menu and ceremony to décor and entertainment is based around both the bride and the groom.
4. A lot of wedding pros want exposure (and might I say even one day become a “celebrity” vendor) both to establish themselves as a legitimate vendor and to help get business. What advice would you have for wedding professionals looking to grow both their business and reputation?
The best advice I can give a wedding professional looking to grow their business is to network! Meet and stay in touch with other professionals in your industry, and if possible join up with organized networking groups geared specifically for event planning.
5. What are some good reputation management tips you have for fellow and aspiring wedding professionals?
My advice for growing your reputation is to be good to your vendors, it is just as important as being good to your clients. It’s a very small industry and it is important to maintain a good standing with every vendor who contributes to your success.
6. While working with weddings is generally fabulous, we all know it has its downfalls. What are some of the tougher parts of the industry for you to handle (aside from “celebrity status” issues you might face, which most of us don’t have 
, and how do you deal with them?
While some people might consider the actual installations of huge events to be the toughest part, I actually think of them as a very exciting challenge. Much problem solving is needed to combat unforeseen obstacles and I think without resourcefulness, creativity and dedication that could be a difficult part. Through truly listening to a bride’s vision and by offering meticulous, full-service planning and decor, my brides know that there is no reason to worry about their big day.
Thank you, David! Also, a little plug for WE TV – they have created a funny little customizable video you should check out … especially if you know a Bridezilla!
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