PRESTON BAILEY TALKS DESIGN By Rebecca Marie
Preston Bailey is more than just a household name when
it comes to the wedding industry; he is celebrated for creating dreams from extraordinary vision to reality for his clients. When a client approaches Preston seeking a particular vision, he delivers so completely the end result looks nothing like the beginning empty spaces. Instead it is an unforgettable floral work of art for all who see it. His designs create a story that is memorable, exquisite and one of a kind. In Preston’s long career he has been hailed as one of the most incredible designers of our time, author of seven books (five of them bestsellers). One of my personal favorites is “Preston Bailey: Designing with Flowers.” His floral creations are elegant and breathtaking that creates an ambiance worth remembering. Taking living delicacies and designing luxury weddings is his business, from lush floral dance floors to dramatic ceilings. Novelty Bride is thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Preston and ask questions about his work. He tells a little more about what drives him in the industry. Q: What made you want to get into the wedding business? A: In a way the wedding business chose me. 37 years ago I was broke and needed a job. A friend of mine suggested that I do weekly flowers for his very wealthy client. It was a bit of a nightmare considering I had no idea what I was doing. But you have heard the saying “If you make enough mistakes, eventually you just might become an expert”... Well, that is my life story. I must have done something right, because when this wealthy client’s daughter was getting married, she ask me to do her daughter’s wedding. This was in 1983. So yes, in a way the wedding business choose me. Q: When was the turning point in your career when you came to be more recognized and how did you achieve your success? A: I think the turning point was when I came out with my first book, “Designs for Entertainment” in 1998. For years before that, I did hundreds of wedding. The problem was that I was not charging enough, so I was constantly in debt. Luckily I was smart enough to photograph all my work. This book is a collection of all the work I did up to that point. Two years later after this book came out; it became a
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bestseller, opening many doors. Q: You are extremely creative. How do you draw your inspiration to change these blank canvas venues into extraordinary affairs? A: Lots of the clues for my inspirations, come from my clients. You’ll be amazed, once you have a direction, how easy it is to translate my client’s dreams. Also my biggest inspiration is none other than my mother nation. If you notice my works had a strong influence on the outdoors. Q: How many people does it take to create the final look of a reception? A: It depends and the size of the reception and also the amount of time that we have to set up. However lots of time it could be a small army. Q: What are little touches you recommend for a bride to splurge on for her wedding? A: A great wedding is a compilation of wonderful details. Scented candles in the bathrooms. Enough servers that the guests never need to wait. Scented flowers (gardenias, Casablanca lilies) at the entrance of the wedding. Practical giveaways in the form of eatables. Q: Please share with us one of your most memorable wedding stories. A: At the risk of sounding selfish. One of my favorite wedding stories was mine. My late good friend and mentor Joan Rivers, married with great humor, me and my partner. Q: Who are a few of your favorite wedding dress designers? A: I have one favorite wedding dress designer. REEM ACRA. Q: What is your favorite type of flower/floral to work with? A: Orchids. The many, many types of Orchids. With his client roster including royal families, celebrities, athletes and CEOs during his career he has managed to soar to the top because of his artistic style and business ethics. He is a leading visionary in floral arts with class and sophistication that will stun an audience at first glance with his dazzling room designs.