Stories, guides & honest advice from The Wedding Academy.
How to run a wedding rehearsal like a professional planner — who attends, a step-by-step run sheet, processional order, music cues, family dynamics and a sample rehearsal timeline.
An honest look at wedding planner mentorship — what a mentor does that a course can’t, the types of mentoring, red flags, and questions to ask before you pay.
Beach wedding planning, honestly: what planners wish couples knew about permits, tides, sun position, wind, sound, guest comfort, access and backup plans.
A practical guide to moving from corporate events to wedding planning — which skills transfer, which don’t, and how to build the portfolio, pricing and positioning to make the switch.
How to become a wedding planner with no experience — the skills that transfer, how to get real wedding days under your belt, build a portfolio from zero and book your first paid client.
How to attract luxury wedding clients and work with them well — positioning, portfolio, the enquiry call, service standards, discretion and a 90-day plan to move upmarket.
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.
The wedding planner career path explained — assistant, coordinator, planner and lead planner, the skills each stage demands and how to move through them faster.
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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.
