Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings [Hardcover]

Preston Bailey (Author), Beth Decker (Contributor), John Labbe (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2004

In this incredible collection of inspiration, images, and ideas, Preston Bailey shares his experience from more than twenty years of designing celebrity and high-profile weddings to show brides- and grooms-to-be how to create an unforgettable event. Each chapter portrays one of nine breath-taking weddings designed by Bailey. The themed wedding events - including a Glorious Glasshouse Fantasy, a Tropical Latin Fantasy, and a Modern Metropolitan Fantasy - are illustrated with luxe, full-color photographs. Bailey's engaging text guides the reader through the entire process of planning the decor for a wedding and explains how to bring diverse elements together to create a stunning, yet personal, environment. Beginning with large decisions, such as choosing a color theme and transforming a space to fit the couple's vision, he moves on to the details - flowers, centerpieces, arches, napkin rings, lighting, table settings, and more. Bailey also presents nine design motifs from his Signature line. Above all, Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings encourages those planning a wedding to have fun and allow their creativity to blossom while designing their dream event.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fiancées who dream of fantastic flower displays spilling over their engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions will want to peek at the nine floral-packed weddings Bailey features in this book. Lavish color photographs are the main appeal here, with Bailey’s bland text doing little or nothing to add or detract from his over-the-top creations. Each chapter presents a specific wedding theme, including a "Hamptons Countryside Fantasy" with five-foot tall centerpieces, a "Tropical Latin Fantasy" with gigantic red rose sculptures that seem to have been borrowed from the Rose Bowl Parade, and an "American Royalty Fantasy" in gold and white, which actually took place in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. Bailey’s fantastic designs recall the grandiose MGM studio productions of yesteryear, and he appears to delight in using flowers to construct architectural, decorative and religious objects: lamps, chandeliers, cornucopias, chuppahs, pillars, ribbons, place mats, paintings. In a final chapter, Bailey presents a few suggestions for creating some of these elaborate, time-consuming objects on your own. But those longing to be princess for a day (and who have the considerable funds it would take to realize one of Bailey’s fantasy weddings) may find it easier just to hire him. Photos.
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About the Author

Preston Bailey is regularly covered in major media outlets like the New York Times, In Style, Martha Stewart Living, CBS's Early Show, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. He has headed Preston Bailey Set & Entertainment Design in New York City for over 23 years. Bailey has a quarterly column in Elle Decor magazine, and is a much sought-after guest speaker. He was recently inducted into the BizBash Event Style Hall of Fame.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (November 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821228692
• ISBN-13: 978-0821228692
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 0.8 x 12.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,756 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow... beautiful! November 22, 2004

By mwest

Format:Hardcover

Wow! What an incredibly beautiful book!!! While the decor and events pictures are way out of reach for "normal" people, the photography is absolutely stunning. It's also great for getting ideas for your own events, even if you can't afford the over-the-top stuff that's pictured. Overall, a gorgeous book that's going to be on my coffee table to enjoy for a LONG TIME!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings August 1, 2005

By D. Morton

Format:Hardcover

Fantastic pictures - great visual stimulation

Not much how to infomation, but a good to help generate ideas.Preston Bailey's Design for Entertaining: Inspiration for Creating the Party of Your Dreams is recommended for a more information on how to achieve the look.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous! April 20, 2005

By C. Roy

Format:Hardcover

Preston Bailey never fails to astonish me with his imaginative, over the top work! The first time I saw another of his books, my jaw dropped. I'm a florist, and I look at many sources for inspiration. His work stands head and shoulders above any I have ever seen. This is a beautiful coffee table book for anyone who likes flowers or weddings or a book for someone always reaching for more in their floral profession. Of course he designs for clients with unlimited budgets, but I can dream!