Stories, guides & honest advice from The Wedding Academy.
How to build a destination wedding budget that holds up — what to include, how to price a wedding abroad, currency and contracts, and where to cut without wrecking the day.
A florist’s guide to wedding flowers by season: what’s available when, how to substitute without losing the design, and how to talk to couples about seasonality.
How to choose a wedding colour palette that works in the actual venue: the 60-30-10 rule, temperature, tonal depth, material testing and how to present it to clients.
Day-of wedding coordination explained: what the role really involves, how to price it, the run sheet that runs the day, and how to get your first bookings.
A wedding day is a show. Jac Bowie on what producing theatre taught her about run sheets, transitions, nerves and contingency – and how she runs real wedding days.
No clients yet? Here is how to build a wedding planner portfolio from scratch — assisting, styled shoots, case studies and credibility that is not photographs — and how to present it so couples book you.
How to style a wedding ceremony that works from every angle — choosing a backdrop, designing the aisle, styling seating and building the set in the right order. A practical guide for wedding stylists.
How to plan and price elopements — qualifying locations, permits and legal requirements, designing around the light, weather plans and packaging. A practical guide for wedding planners.
Most wedding bookings come from other suppliers. Here is how to build a wedding vendor referral network from scratch — who to know, what to give first, and how to turn referrals into booked weddings.
How to design and build a bridal bouquet — taking the brief, conditioning stems, the spiral hand-tie technique, proportion rules and safe delivery. A step-by-step guide for wedding florists.
Online certificate courses in wedding planning, styling, floral design and business. Self-paced, 100% online — more than 11,000 students since 2004.
See the certificates →
Leading Wedding & Entertaining Expert, David Tutera is hailed as an artistic visionary whose ability, uniquely creative talents and outstanding reputation have made him a tremendous success in the lifestyle arena. Tutera has created a name for himself by taking his passion for designing spectacular events and transforming it into a lifestyle.
He continuously exceeds the expected with an unmatched level of inspiration, imagination and innovation to create the latest trends in entertaining. Tutera’s grandfather, a successful florist, first noticed his grandson’s artistic ability at an early age and encouraged David to pursue his destiny. At age 19, with the sound advice of his grandfather and only one client, David opened his own event planning business.
Today, David Tutera presides over an award winning company built from experience, dedication and Tutera’s natural talent for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. His name has become synonymous with style, elegance, creativity and vision. David Tutera has a natural talent for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. His name has become synonymous with style, elegance, creativity and vision.
Honored by Life & Style Magazine as “Best Celebrity Wedding Planner,” David’s impressive client list includes Jewel, Star Jones’ wedding, Real Housewife Taylor Armstrong’s wedding, Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul’s wedding, NY Giants Antonio Pierce’s wedding, Shannen Doherty’s wedding and events for Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Brandy and Ray J, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Lil’ Kim, the Official Post Grammy Parties in New York City, Elton John, Barbara Walters, the Rolling Stones, Nancy Reagan, Prince Charles, The White House, private events for the Vice President, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, Susan Lucci, The John F. Kennedy Center, as well as countless film premieres and celebrity parties for royalty, politicians and socialites.
Tutera has also designed events for several charities including the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids) and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. David has made guest appearances on Today, Extra!, Good Morning America, The View, CNN, The Rachael Ray Show, The Talk, Steve Harvey, Wendy Williams and many more. In addition People, USA Today, In Touch, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, In Style, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Bridal Guide and Town & Country have all featured his work.
Tutera has also made special television appearances in the popular daytime soap, The Young & the Restless and TV Land’s The Exes. David lives in Los Angeles with his husband Joey, daughter Cielo and their rescue dog Lucy.
