David Tutera

ATLANTA, June 28, 2012

Atlanta Apparel announces wedding and entertaining expert David Tutera as the opening keynote speaker for AmericasMart’s newest, must-attend market, VOW | New World of Bridal, September 20-22, 2012.

Named “Best Celebrity Wedding Planner” by Life & Style magazine, David Tutera is a leading wedding and entertaining expert and TV personality known for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. He is the author of seven popular books on the topic and is the host of the hit primetime show “My Fair Wedding” on WE tv.

Tutera will open the show with “A Look Inside the World of David Tutera Weddings” at 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 20. He will share planning tips and secrets that will help your store become the ultimate bridal stop. A book sale and signing of “My Fair Wedding” will immediately follow his presentation.

Tutera built his reputation 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. He’s been featured on Oprah, the TODAY show, Good Morning America and The Rachael Ray Show. In addition, People, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Cosmopolitan and InStyle have all featured his work.

In addition to Tutera’s appearance, a full lineup of daily events and educational programming featuring top industry names is on tap, including a retailer expert panel moderated by bridal retail expert Patrice Catan. We’re dedicated to providing valuable educational opportunities, tailored to the unique needs of bridal and special-occasion retailers. These fashion events and promotions, access to a full Market of accessory and display products and special inaugural-market celebrations combine to make VOW | New World of Bridal the industry’s must-see market — and establish Atlanta as the complete destination for everything in the social occasion world.

VOW | New World of Bridal showcases the large and growing collection of leading national manufacturers in permanent bridal showrooms on Floors 10 and 12 of Building 3 assuring buyers unmatched selection with the major names in bridal fashion presenting a full range dresses and accessories for every member of the wedding party.

VOW | New World of Bridal takes place September 20-22, 2012. For more information about Atlanta Apparel Market, visit www.AmericasMart.com/Apparel. - AmericasMart Blog

LOS ANGELES The winners of the second-annual Los Angeles Readers' Choice Awards were announced today at BizBash IdeaFest Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Readers were first invited to nominate local event professionals in 13 categories and then, later, to vote on the finalists through our interactive voting site. In all, more than 40,000 votes were cast over the course of two weeks. The winners are:

Association Event Planner of the Year: Wayneston Harbeson, National Association of Television Program Executives

Caterer of the Year (In-House): Frank Fraser, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

Caterer of the Year (Off-Premise): Elle Nucci, Premiere Events

Corporate Event Planner of the Year: Michael Vargo, The Walt Disney Company

DJ of the Year: DJ Lee Dyson, Hey Mister DJ

Entertainment Act of the Year: Liquid Blue

Event Designer of the Year: Ricardo Luna, Luna Gardens Events

Event Producer of the Year: Jason Harder, Shiraz Events

Fund-Raising Event Planner of the Year: Stephanie Jernigan, Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts

PR Professional of the Year: Rachel Weil, Weil Public Relations

Reality Show Event Planner of the Year: David Tutera, My Fair Wedding - Biz Bash

David Tutera is a wedding fairy godfather, making dreams come true for couples planning their nuptials. On his WeTV reality show "My Fair Wedding," he brings fantasy to life for brides who have more imagination than their budgets allow.

Tutera doesn't turn anyone down, there's no idea too big for him, and no bride too bossy. But the famed wedding planner apparently has a preference that is quite evident on his show. He recently spoke about his affinity for African American brides, a result of his inner city upbringing, Eurweb.com reports.

"I think my passion comes from my upbringing. I went to a school that was lower middle income and either you were with the in-crowd or you weren't, because it was a white thing or a black thing and if you showed up on the wrong day, you were in big trouble. So, I managed to manipulate my way through life and as a gay kid, I was challenged, so I had multiple things going on. I see myself as a minority and I see myself as a kid who was bullied and challenged, so I think that that's the connection. I had a talk with someone from VH1 after the first season aired and they asked, 'So why are African American women so in love with you?...why do you show such passion? Because you see only the women that’s sitting in front of you.' I didn't realize that it's how I grew up. So, I was given that path and didn't realize it was the path that would lead me to where I am today."

The celebrity wedding planner, who was also had a hand in helping celebrities like Star Jones and Usher jump the broom, has used his fame and influence to make changes in the bridal industry: namely the lack of black brides on magazine covers. He opened up about the details of his groundbreaking accomplishment as the first male to ever be on the cover of a national bridal magazine.

"But that's not the exciting part," he said. "I only agreed to do this if they allowed me to have a black woman standing next to me. In the history of national publications of bridal, there's never been a black [bride]. I'm really excited about that."

As an event planning veteran, Tutera shared his advice with HuffPost readers. During an exclusive interview, he said brides should hone in on their own identity to truly achieve their dream wedding.

"Try to plan your wedding before going to all these outlets," he told The Huffington Post. "Try to go back to when we didn't have all this information, and find out who you are. I think if you find out who you are and you realize what you want, then you can go look at the information, and find out what it is that you need, and not have the information dictate to you what your wedding should be."

Tutera also dished on what he thought of other reality stars that have made waves both on television and the wedding world. He spoke about Kim Kardashian and the fallout of her public wedding to Kris Humphries.

"Don't even get me started on that," he said. "I was asked by my publicist to stop my rants about the wedding. They make me so angry, I get tongue twisted. I hated the wedding and I can't stand her."

He also spoke about whether or not he would ever plan a wedding for Atlanta housewife NeNe Leakes.

"I'd have to meet her, because I don't know her," he said. "But if we're going off what I've seen on television, I'd say no. I don't know if that's the person that she is, but...I don't have the time in my life to add drama to my life and if that's who she is, I'd have to say no." - Huffington Post

During the hectic holiday season, "nobody has three weeks to plan a party," says expert David Tutera, who makes brides' dreams come true on We TV's My Fair Wedding. "Everybody is doing it spur-of-the-moment, so the party needs to be easy and accessible." Step No. 1 to a stress-free event in a snap: Instead of splurging on new servingware, Tutera advises "raiding your basement, attic, cupboards and closets" for platters and glassware you already own. And if you're not adept around a stove, "takeout food can be less expensive than cooking everything and takes less time," he says. After all, "people don't care if the food is the best they've had in their lives," says Tutera. "They just want to be together and enjoy the company of one another."

1. JUST DESSERTS

Who to invite: The neighbors

When: After you're done setting up the lights and decorations outside your home, bring the block together to start the season off on a sweet note.

What to serve: Tutera suggests red velvet cupcakes and madeleine cookies paired with hot cocoa. (Irish cream optional!)

2. ZEN HOLIDAY PARTY

Who to invite: Girlfriends

When: After a busy work week, host this weekend lunch to "give your guests a break with this light and laid-back atmosphere."

What to serve: Order in your favorite Chinese dishes and "simply replate to add a bit of sophistication," says Tutera. Top off the afternoon with champagne with a splash of green tea.

Hang lanterns!

Add to the decor with these Asian-inspired fixtures, $1.50 each; paperlanternstore.com

3. FESTIVE FAMILY FIESTA

Who to invite: The extended family. "It's great for young, old—it's universal."

When: After bringing home a tree, invite folks over to help trim and decorate it.

What to serve: Adapt Mexican takeout by adding jalapeños to chicken quesadillas for an extra kick or mixing melted cheese with an order of guacamole for a new dip. Then, once the tree is done, gather everyone for a holiday toast over colorful Ice Blue Martinis.

ICE BLUE MARTINI

Combine 1 oz. vodka, ½ oz. blue curaçao, ½ oz. crème de cassis and a splash of lime juice. Shake, strain and pour into a martini glass rimmed with white sugar. To garnish, add a blueberry kebab.

Fun for kids!

Reindeer piñata, $12.99; partycity.com

4. TOP YOUR OWN PIZZA NIGHT

Who to invite: Friends and their kids

When: With the kids on holiday break from school, put together this family-friendly party for a "low-key weeknight," says Tutera.

What to serve: Order plain cheese pizzas or pick up frozen pies from the grocery store. Then set out a buffet of fresh toppings such as mushrooms, bell peppers and crumbled sausage, so guests can customize their own slices. To drink? Warm cider to ward off the winter chill.
- People Magazine

I've been lucky in life. I started my career in wedding and event planning when I was 19 and have been in the business now for 25 years doing incredible events for people with a lot of money.

I grew up in Port Chester, N.Y. — a tiny town outside New York City. My family didn't have a lot of money, but that didn't stop my parents from wanting to take care of everyone and instilling that desire in me.

I know it's impossible to help everyone — no matter how much you would like to — so I try to be active in a few charities that have meaning and where I feel I can make a difference.

One of those organizations is the Prevent Cancer Foundation. It isn't just about curing cancer; it's about educating people on how to prevent cancer. I've been involved with them for 10 years.

Sadly, cancer touched my own life four years ago. Both my mom and my partner's mom were diagnosed with the disease. It was difficult, but I'm grateful to say both are now cancer survivors. I also lost a close friend to the disease a couple of months ago. My involvement with the foundation helped me get through both of these events with a much deeper understanding.

The Alzheimer's Association is another organization very close to my heart. My grandmother was diagnosed with the disease at a young age and died when she was 75. Alzheimer's is a devastating illness, not just for the patient, but also for the family. It affects every aspect of life.

I have found great joy in helping these organizations. The need for help rarely wanes, and more than money, we need people who have the time and the desire to volunteer.

That's what's so great about Make A Difference Day — millions of Americans graciously giving of themselves and their time to help others. I hope you'll join them.

WE tv is the official cable partner for USA WEEKEND's Make A Difference Day 2010. This story kicks off our efforts to encourage more Americans to volunteer on Make A Difference Day — and all year long — through WE tv's WE Volunteer campaign. Watch for messages about Make A Difference Day on WE tv and at WEVolunteer.tv. - USA Weekend