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Preston Bailey's Design for Entertaining: Inspiration for Creating the Party of Your Dreams [Hardcover]

Preston Bailey
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

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Book Description

November 11, 2002
This ultimate sourcebook guides the reader through the event planning process--from picking a theme, setting the mood, and transforming the space to details such as flowers, lighting, and table settings. 150 full-color photos.

Frequently Bought Together

Preston Bailey's Design for Entertaining: Inspiration for Creating the Party of Your Dreams + Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings + Inspirations
Price for all three: $91.90

Buy the selected items together
  • Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings $31.00
  • Inspirations $30.00


Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A party planner to the stars offers guidance to the earthbound on creating the perfect celebration, from designing the ideal lighting to choosing the best floral arrangements. Lavishly photographed by Roger Dong and Alex Kirkbride, this book gives readers glimpses into Matt Lauer's red-themed wedding reception and the sumptuous anniversary party for Oprah's magazine, O-content that's fun for brides-to-be and celebrity voyeurs alike. While it's unlikely that many of Bailey's readers will have the resources to plant atmospheric rows of 20-foot birch trees (as Joan Rivers did for the wedding of her daughter, Melissa), there are simpler, more down-to-earth tips to be found in this book: the pictures may feature the stupendously lavish, but the text offers tips for somewhat smaller budgets. Both reassuring and inspiring, Bailey details ways to maximize party space, outlines the divergent effects of candlelight and electric light, gives useful suggestions for designing an event to please both adult and teenage guests and provides pointers on selecting appropriate chairs, tablecloths and silverware. "Look at each decision as an opportunity to do things in your own way," Bailey urges. His helpful guide will help party planners do just that. 150 color photographs.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

A New York City party and event designer whose clients include Joan Rivers, Oprah Winfrey, and fashion designer John Galliano, Bailey here shares his secrets on creating a spectacular, memorable party. Illustrated with photographs of his lavish events, his book advises how to create a mood with the use of color, texture, lighting, and flowers and how to work with or change a room's decor. Even those disinclined to entertain on such a grand scale will find inspiration in Bailey's designs. Purchase where there is an interest.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Bulfinch; 1 edition (November 11, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0821227653
  • ISBN-13: 978-0821227657
  • Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.9 x 11.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After thirty-two years in the event industry, Preston Bailey has made his mark as an artist, creating dramatic, one-of-a-kind spaces for events for people like Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Joan Rivers, and many celebrities and royal families around the globe. His company does work worldwide. He is the author of five successful design books, and he makes frequent TV appearances and speaks at conferences around the world. He is also an educator and has countless art installations in places like London, New York, France, Taiwan, and Jakarta.

Customer Reviews

The themes and pictures are great. Affairs in miami  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement
This is a great gift idea for your favorite florist! Best Party in A2  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 36 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring but unpractical January 7, 2005
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book as I was curious about Mr. Bailey's designs since his name is synonymous with "one of the top floral designers in NY". His work is truly very inspiring and grand, however, the scale (and imaginably the cost involved) to re-create the floral arrangements he showcased in this book is unpractical for the average wedding or party.

To be fair, I guess I was looking for party-related floral ideas that are creative but more budget-friendly and this book was too over the top for me.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous and inspiring April 23, 2003
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
The photography is gorgeous, the ideas are inspiring - overall, a solid portfolio of some of the best designing in the world. It not only provides a glimpse into the over-the-top world of haute couture weddings and fetes, but also provides details and inspirational ideas for anyone. A can-do attitude combined with a book that is well written, beautifully conceived and flawlessly executed. Well done, Mr. Bailey.
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25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous! February 28, 2003
Format:Hardcover
It was exactly as it said...a resource for creating the party of your dreams. If you're the type of person who thinks buffalo wings is a party staple...it's not for you.
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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent November 11, 2002
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
If you would like to see the finest design work done in NYC,
get this book. His sensibility to detail is astounding!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining with a flair November 29, 2006
Format:Hardcover
Subtitled: Inspiration for Creating the Party of Your Dreams

Worried about the upcoming holiday party you have to plan? You (and all your friends) know what Martha would do but it's time to shake things up. The problem is you aren't sure where to start.

Luckily for you, Inspirations by Preston Bailey is available. Preston Bailey is a well-known event planner for Hollywood stars. Recently, he's worked on Oprah's fiftieth birthday celebration and Donald and Melania's wedding celebration.

Ten parties, eight of which are weddings, are photographed and discussed in this book. Locations include Niagra Falls, a Virginia stable that is converted into a wedding chapel and the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Each chapter celebrates a different theme. Yes, there are eight weddings covered but each wedding has its own theme, color scheme and something unique to offer. The last chapter provides ways to organize and showcase your dining table.

This book dazzles with its full-size color photographs. It celebrates colors, flowers and the unexpected. Reading this book was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon as there are a lot of things to ooh and aah over. Two of my favorite are pineapples made out of sunflowers and a dog made out of dogwood flowers.

Bailey's philosophy is you aren't just throwing a party, you are creating a theatrical event for your guests. It's important to pay attention to the details so your guests will know they are in for a wonderful, magical night. Some examples of small but important details that Bailey uses are: a wedding menu made out of edible chocolate, displaying sculptures that support the party's theme and embellishing cloth napkins with silk roses.
... Read more ›
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful & Elegant November 8, 2002
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Preston Bailey's book is simply beautiful and elegant. I had seen snipets of Melissa Rivers' wedding on television and in print, but the pictures in the book really bring it to life. I never knew so much could be done with flowers and fruit, until I bought this book. It is a real treat!
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous November 8, 2002
By rhall
Format:Hardcover
I've seen Preston Bailey on Oprah and read about him in Town & Country, but nothing compares to this fabulous book. In this book, Preston gives a sneak peek into the parties of the rich and famous. The photographs are stunning!!
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Gread ideas book - wonderful, stimulating pictures. Interesting reading - provides what I would term an overview of how to achieve a good design for an event. It is NOT a how to book however and there realy are no specifics on creating a specific look.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Party Lovers
This is the third Preston Bailey book I have purchased from Amazon. They had the best prices.
If you love to put on special events for yourself or charities you are involved... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Marlene
2.0 out of 5 stars Preston Bailey's Design for Entertaining.
The book is well done and gives some great ideas for a highend event. I purchased this book from Amazon as a new book and received a used book with handwriting inside. Read more
Published on November 4, 2010 by John E. Kossenyans
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Condition
The book was in great shape when I received it. Also, I got a little surprise from the previous owner...a few loose blooms being pressed. Thanks you Amazon.
Published on March 8, 2010 by Monique E. Chauvin
5.0 out of 5 stars Preston Bailey's Design for Entertaining
It is a beautiful book, filled with gorgeous photographs and texts on the different venues that Mr. Bailey designed. This would be a wonderful gift for a creative friend. Read more
Published on November 11, 2008 by Elizabeth M. Edwards
4.0 out of 5 stars Floral Design/Entertainment Ideas
This book has wonderful decorating ideas for a wide range of party types. The floral arrangements are unique and elegant. This is a great gift idea for your favorite florist!
Published on October 31, 2008 by Best Party in A2
3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photos, but disappointing text.
The photos are beautiful, but I didn't purchase it for the photos.
I purchased it to discover the use of mechanics to construct the beautiful florals. Read more
Published on August 4, 2008 by K. Hatton
5.0 out of 5 stars Bought it for ideas for my weeding
I bought this book so I can find ideas for my wedding decoration, it has great and beautiful pictures, but obviously it's impossible to try to imitate Preston Bailey's ideas. Read more
Published on February 27, 2008 by Laura S.
5.0 out of 5 stars As an Event and Party planner in Seattle, this is a must have...
What a fabulous book for inspiration to all professional florist, Event and party planners every where. As a high end Event and Party planner in Seattle, WA we use Mr. Read more
Published on August 30, 2007 by N. Curry
5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely amazing
This is an amazing book! While most people may not be able to re-create these parties, you can definitely get ideas from all of them. Read more
Published on June 13, 2007 by D. Winchester
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Inspiring
I love this book. The themes and pictures are great. It's more for the higher end weddings
Published on January 11, 2007 by wedding
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