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Mindy Weiss

FOR MOST OF US, planning the ultimate wedding is a once-in-alifetime experience. For celebrity wedding expert Mindy Weiss, it’s just another day at the office. From sophisticated Parisian affairs (think Tony Parker and Eva Longoria) to exclusive beachfront “I dos” in Malibu, Weiss’ reputation for perfect parties follows her across the globe. And now, thanks to her latest project, The Wedding Book, brides everywhere can access her insider knowledge. Exquisite Weddings recently spoke with Weiss about her latest tips and tricks for planning a fun, unique wedding.

What are your favorite trends for the 2008/2009 season? No matter what year we’re in, the ceremony will stay traditional, and then the reception is where the trends come and go. The reception is where you find the wows. It’s becoming more of a big party with a lot more props, a lot of banquette seating and big, half-circle booths. It’s a little more clubby and unique.

What are brides splurging on today? A lot of splurges today are about having a band for the reception or a big-name club deejay like DJ AM. We’re doing a lot of weddings with name entertainment, too, like having Bryan Adams sing you a love song.

Any tips for finding a fun ceremony/reception spot? Unique urban lofts are great. One thing you really have to check, though, with unique venues are noise ordinances and time. Make sure it’s okay to have late-night music.

What are some unexpected touches a bride can add to a unique reception? Once the band ends, plan for late-night music and a latenight menu. For Kevin James’ wedding, we brought in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, ice-cream cones and French fries. A lot of hotels don’t allow you to bring in food but sometimes they’ll customize a late-night menu for you. I also love passing warm chocolate-chip cookies and shots of milk.

Are there ways to include children on the guest list and still have an elegant, sophisticated event? I love when not only the bride and groom exchange rings, but they also get rings for the kids to exchange. It’s very heartfelt, and you get a lot of oohs and ahs. You can also create a separate area within the reception with great buckets filled with toys and crayons, but still with beautiful cloths and tables that look like they belong in the elegant room. We’ve also used camp counselors from KiddieCorp that take them off to a separate room with a movie playing.

How do you follow traditions while still creating a unique event? As long as the ceremony stays traditional, then the reception can be more fun. For your first dance, instead of a slow dance, do a hip-hop dance or a tango. Dancing with the Stars has been very influential to a lot of our clients.

It seems like offbeat and unexpected touches are coming into vogue. What are some of the best show-stealers you’ve seen lately? We’ve had dance demonstrations where exhibition dancers do a show through the decades, with a different dance between each dinner course, ending in hip-hop.

In terms of transitions, what are some tips for making the reception flow from one scene to the next? Don’t do the entire meal with no dancing. If you do it with no breaks, to me, after that, it’s difficult to get people up and moving because they’ve just sat all night. I like when people get up and dance in between. Timing is everything. You want people to think, “Wow this went so quick.” You want them to be bummed when they leave. That’s a sign of a great event.

Do you have any other advice for brides who want to ensure that guests have fun? The guests look at the bride and groom for their cues. If they are whining and miserable, that’s what will happen to their guests. If the bride and groom dance, the dancing will be incredible. It will definitely transcend through the room.

If there was one common mistake you see brides or grooms make, or one needless worry you wish they would avoid, what would it be? Their first dance. They are so nervous before their first dance. But the minute you hear your song you’ll know what to do, and it will be over before you know it.

As for grooms, is there a specific job or task you think is a fun one to get them involved in? They want to be involved at the food tasting and cake tasting, but they get bored at flower meetings. Music is a great thing for grooms, too. And let the groom plan the honeymoon!

At the end of the day, what’s the one piece of advice you give to all your brides? My biggest thing is personalizing your wedding and making the traditions yours.

SIDE BAR

THE EXPERT’S OPINION: HOT OR NOT?

Destination weddings: Hot.
Honeymoon registry: Depends on the couple.
Registering for charities is the new hot thing.
Using local food/wine of the region in your menu: So hot.
Elaborate fabric tents: Still hot (though I wish not!)
Bubbles and disposable cameras: Not. Identical bridesmaids’ dresses: Not.
Custom dresses that vary slightly by color or design to fit each bridesmaid individually are where everyone is going.
Huge wedding parties: Not.
Cupcake cakes: Not.
Online dress shopping: Not.
You just can’t buy a wedding gown online—maybe the bridesmaids, but not the bride.
Fast first dances: Hot. Hot. Hot.
Try a merengue!
Head tables: Hot.
Sweetheart tables are going away, and head tables are actually making a comeback.
Crash bride diets: Not.
Late-night food: Hot.
Winter weddings: Hot.

The Wedding Book by Mindy Weiss, $19.95, mindyweiss.com

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