When it comes to weddings, you'd be hard-pressed to find a man with more experience than David Tutera. As a premiere wedding and entertaining expert, David has planned weddings and events for everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Al Gore. In addition to being a best-selling author, David was voted one of Modern Bride's "Top 25 Trendsetters." And as the host of WE TV's My Fair Weddings, which premieres new episodes in November, he helps lucky brides-to-be prepare for their big day in grand style.
We spoke to David about his favorite celebrity clients, the hottest new bridal gown, why garters are a no-no during the ceremony and much, much more. Check out our exclusive interview with David Tutera below.
What's the most difficult theme wedding you've had to put together?
"Day of the dead." Because I just didn't understand how you celebrate the death of people, and skeletons and darkness. But I put myself in the moment and I embraced it, and I turned what could've been dark and dreary and sad into something that was festive and fun and memorable. And the only skeletons that were there were in the dance troupe's costumes...oh, and on the cake, too.
Who are some of your favorite celebrities you've worked with?
Susan Lucci I loved. She's lovely! And Elton John, he was great to work with.
Any wedding trends you're tired of? Any trends that you are loving right now?
I'm tired of the after-party or the after-lounge, where everyone's supposed to go and continue the party. Well, how many hours do you want people to celebrate? I'm just like, keep the party going in the same space; don't try to create another party after the original party's over. I'm tired of that trend.
Also, I do not want to see the groom try and take the garter off with their mouth. I just don't understand the whole point of that.
I've noticed some brides no longer acknowledge the "something old something new, something borrowed and something blue." It's a great, special tradion that every girl should do--which is exactly why I put a sapphire gemstone in my ring collection at Sears. I'm giving them a head start; something new and something blue all wrapped up in one.
I feel like I've done so many weddings that I love the trend of brides that want to go back to traditionalism. Simplifying the wedding. Making it your own, of course, but simplifying the traditions and going back.
Should the wedding day be all about the bride, or should the groom have some say in the festivities?
The groom should definitely have a say! It's the first time your'e doing something together as a couple being married, so it really shouldn't be a question. Although... some grooms are now so much involved, they're being coined "groomzillas." There's a fine balance. You don't want to cross the line where you're actually being a groom that has to approve and see your bride's wedding dress before she walks down the aisle! There is something to be said for an element of surprise.
Any new bridal gown styles to look out for?
The Kate Middleton seems to still be in fashion.You need to find the style that's right for your body type. So you may fall in love with Kate's dress, but it will only work if you're a size 2 to 6... that's not a dress that many women can wear.
Personally, I don't know many modern-day women that want to wear a dress that has sleeves. The rule of thumb goes here that it's not about the style, it's about knowing you're body type and whatever silhouette works best for you. And also, I'm a firm believer in you can't judge a dress on the hanger, you have to put it on. There's a reason why I'm careful of how I design my line of bridal gowns. There is a very different style for very different brides, which is why I have a little bit of every look for every body type in my David Tutera for Mon Cheri collection, and that to me makes it so much more accessible.What are your thoughts on bridesmaid dresses?
I think they need to not look like bridesmaids dresses. They need to look like evening attire, because right there you're already starting on a good step. The rule of thumb for bridesmaids dresses is the same for brides: I do not like different lengths for all different bridesmaids. You either go long or go short, but don't let your bridesmaids choose either. They're bridesmaids because they're all supposed to be uniformed. I don't mind different styled dresses with the same color, just not different lengths.
Any close calls while planning someone's perfect wedding? Anything major ever go wrong at the last minute?
Of course. My job is to be a magician. My job is that if there are any close calls, nobody ever knows about it.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to have a special wedding but is on a budget?
Details, details, details! It's very simple. Tell the story of who you are as a bride and groom. There are inexpensive details from printed materials, to song selection, to choice of food. You're basically simplifying the wedding plans by picking things so that the guests will leave knowing more about you as a couple. But you also have to let people know what that is and why it's important. You can pick a turkey dinner and serve it to your guests, but you can't serve it without letting them know why. Maybe in a printed material you can say "Enjoy our favorite dinner" or maybe he proposed on Thanksgiving. So, you may not have all the bells and whistles, but you have the heart and the emotion.
Catch new episodes of My Fair Wedding beginning in November on WE TV. For more wedding tips, visit DavidTutera.com. Got a question about a relationship or your impending nuptials? Submit it to our relationship experts. For more of the guy's perspective on weddings, check out our wedding archive.
I personally ADORE David Tutera and My Fair Wedding. I pray the show is still on when I get married, so he can be my wedding planner. Great article Nick!
David Tutera is the ultimate fairy godfather of events!!!! I LOVE My Fair Wedding and the things he accomplishes, no matter what he starts off with, are astounding! A David Tutera wedding would make it worth being married! If I could ever be so lucky as to have him plan my wedding, it would probably have to double as my funeral because there is a good chance I WOULD DIE. Thanks for the article Nick!!
I love watching My Fair Wedding and David Tutera. It really is inspiration to see how he manages to transform every problem thrown at him into something great. But I have to add that Dia de los Muertos is not a celebration of death, but a celebration in honor of those who died. It's a time to remember the loved ones of the past and (if incorporated into a wedding) look towards the future.
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I LOVE David and the Show, but I have to wonder, Why such the kimit in Locations? i see the castings for the LA area of California and I it upsets me that I can apply when I live in the Capital of California (Sacramento). There are many beautiful and deserving brides like myself that need Davids help!
I love David Tutera. How he make the bride dream wedding come to life. i watch my fair wedding and i get teary eyes with the bride everything is so over the top breath taking . iam getting married February 18, 2012 and i be like David can change what ever iam here in the Show me State KCMO
I love David's work. He has some of the best ideas I've ever seen. I'm writting for my son and his wife to be. They have sacificed a lot so other people could follow througt with their wedding or some other event. They have scheduled their wedding date three time now is October 11 2012. Hopefully they will be able to tie the knot this time They have together over4 years.I pray that David can come into their life and help them have the beautiful dream wedding they have been praying for.I'll be watching for a message from everyone at the "My Fair Wedding show. PLEASE help make my son and his beautiful wife to bedreams come true
I would LOVE to have Mr. Tutera help plan my wedding but also realize he is a very busy man and unless I was chosen for My Fair Wedding, I would never be able to afford a wedding planner. Just being able to go to sites like this one and get ideas from what he has already done and adjust it to make it my own is a blessing. I never planned on getting married so I never had one of those binders from the age of 12 or something listing everything that was going to happen and when and what colors and so on. Instead I have to start from scratch with a man that would prefer to just let me do what I want and not really give an opinion. Thank you Mr. Tutera for making it easier for bride-to-be's to plan their special day.
I would LOVE for Mr. Tutera to help me plan my wedding but also realize he is a very busy man. Thank you for making it easier for bride-to-be's to plan their special day...especially those of us that haven't been planning a wedding all of our lives because we thought it would never happen.
WELL SAID RAQUI87. I WISH HE WOULD BE MY FAIRY GODFATHER TOO.