Wedding trends are almost impossible to ignore, but in following them, we create an excellent corpse.
You saw the name Mrs. Boldface on Vogue or Instagram. You liked it, but you wanted to sway his opinion. You post your celebration on social media, inspiring others. Rinse and repeat, and you end up with a marital mutant, a surreal ceremony that looks nothing like the inspiration.
“Wedding trends are bad,” said Preston Bailey, a New York-based celebrity wedding planner and floral artist who is responsible for creating many viral wedding moments and more than a few trends. “They make everyone a little lazy, just following whatever is happening at the moment.”
Bailey has been a planner for two magazines, organizing ceremonies for Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian for decades; Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas; Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner; Donald Trump and Melania, and royals around the world.
In 2024, they saw everyone from India’s richest man Anant Ambani to Radhika Merchant’s $600 million blockbuster “I Do”. Approximately 14,000 guests were amazed by their extraordinary floral decorations, which also included moving animal sculptures.
She has also thrown parties for celebrities like Uma Thurman, Oprah and Liza Minnelli, and her influential books “Inspirations” and “Flowers” are celebrating their 20th and 15th anniversaries, respectively.
But the Panama-born planner didn’t start there. “People forget that the first wedding I did was for $300,” he said.
In fact, Bailey says one of her missions is to help couples of more modest means “become trendsetters rather than followers.”
We asked this wedding master how to buck trends while keeping the best out of expensive celebrity affairs.
aim to entertain
If Bailey has an event planning philosophy it goes something like this: “Events are about fun.”
When he is planning a sizable ceremony he designs “beautiful environments” where “every half hour there is a wonderful surprise – the lighting changes, something is served, or something wonderful happens.”
The same rule can be applied to price-food marriage also. The main thing is to create an atmosphere at every stage. If there’s a cocktail party, think about what you’re going to do to set the mood. How will the music, lighting or display work together? Then change it frequently throughout the evening so it doesn’t get monotonous. Punctuate each change with a little surprise.
Another tip: Start slow and slow and build up. Don’t start things off with loud music. Let people come together gently and let the evening progress like a Broadway show.
“After all, guests are there for a long time, and a lot of the events are beautiful, but boring.” He said. “I know I’ve succeeded when at the end of the evening no one wants to leave. Then I know I’ve made it.”
centrality centrality
The first part of planning an event is establishing the guest list. The second is to establish what is important to you. Then get serious about the centerpiece.
“If you’re having a dinner, and you’re seating guests at a table for a couple of hours, invest in what’s on the table,” Bailey said.
A sexy centerpiece serves as the aforementioned surprise for that portion of the evening, and if you’re imagining monumental silver swans exploding with pricey grand poses, stop right there.
“You don’t have to spend a million dollars to create an interesting centerpiece,” reassures Bailey. “A lot of couples are buying orchids, which are a little cheaper these days, and they last three to six months. It’s beautiful on the table, but also long-lasting.”
become altar-native
Your guests will be staring straight at it, so make it interesting, but be careful because the altar is where social media’s more scandalous trends come to life.
Bailey recommends candles for people who don’t want to hire an architect to design an arch, or take half of the Philadelphia Flower Show to fill it.
“Everyone is looking towards the altar,” he said. “And there are plenty of ways to create a beautiful scene that won’t break the bank, like votive candles. They cost very little. Just use a ton of them.”
Less is more (again)
In the era of Instagram, everyone has seen everything. Now many people try to do it all at once. Bailey says it’s finally time to get things back together – good news for anyone saving for a down payment.
“I’m one of the first people who came up with the concept a long time ago that more is better, and I think we’re getting a little too carried away with that concept,” he said.
When it comes to flowers, maximalism means that arrangements are not appreciated. Instead, think like a gallery curator: Buy seasonal flowers arranged with enough space for a look to stand out.
“People are taking the view that, ‘Oh my God, we have to use a lot of flowers to make something beautiful,’ that’s too far. I think it’s time to step back a little bit,” he said.
takeaway
Celeb Yocking’s guests leave with serious swag. Nobles oblige, it’s their business. But no one wants a wine glass with your name on it or downloading your playlist.
Bailey recommends giving your guests what they really want: a sugar rush.
“Everyone loves sweets,” she said. “Maybe give Magnolia cupcakes, or your favorite cookie. Wrap it beautifully and give it in a gift bag that people can take home with them. Something edible is better than something that someone can’t give away again.”