WED: When did you first start getting national recognition for your planning and design?
PB: My business really blossomed after I designed the wedding for Joan Rivers’ daughter, Melissa Rivers. Melissa's wedding design was inspired by a Russian winter landscape. It was such an amazing experience for me. Joan and I became friends, and I still consider her a good friend today. She’s an incredible woman.
Melissa Rivers’ Wedding—Design by Preston Bailey
PB: Ivanka Trump's wedding is particularly near and dear to my heart. A few years prior I had designed Donald Trump and Melania Knauss’ wedding, and I promised Ivanka then that when she walked down the aisle someday, I would create something truly magical for her. So, when I got the call that Ivanka had gotten engaged, I was over the moon. Not only did she ask me to design her wedding, but she also invited me to be one of her guests. I was so touched, and the entire experience was magical.
WED: You’ve called Joan Rivers and Oprah Winfrey two of the angels who helped propel your career.
PB: I think Joan and Oprah have been angels for a lot of folks over the years, and I consider myself lucky to be one of them. Joan didn’t know me when she and Melissa hired me, but we got to know each other, and soon, we were friends. Out of the blue, I got a phone call from Oprah. She asked me to design a few special events for her. Obviously, I said yes!
WED: Ivanka Trump’s wedding was recognized as one of your best designs and continues to inspire even two years later. How did this come about?
WED The Magazine
Design Process
WED: Tell us about your design process? Where do you start?
PB: My first source of inspiration is always my client. As early as the first meeting, I start to visualize the client’s dream. Then my design team and I develop storyboards, renderings and samples of the complete visual concept to share with the client. It’s extremely important to me that the client love my designs and has a very clear idea of what the entire event will look like. No surprises! Only the guests should be surprised... never the host.
Vol. 1, No. 4
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