Last week, we brought you news of the new seasons of Amazing Wedding Cakes and Bridezillas. I was also given the opportunity to ask questions of David Tutera, host of My Fair Wedding on WE tv. David is a celebrity party planner and sees all the trends, knows all the tricks and can avoid all the faux pas of wedding planning!

Here is my “interview” with David:

1. Many of our readers are interested in “green” or environmentally friendly tips and products. What kinds of “green” wedding trends have you been seeing this season?

We all know about the “green” seed or potted plant favors, the sustainable paper invitations and earth-friendly inks, even “Green” caterers and transportation companies are becoming common, but what I am noticing as a trend is eco-chic products. I am seeing “Green” take a whole new direction, away from the natural and rustic and towards the fashion-forward and glam. One product I love is RuMe’s reusable bags. They come in dozens of colors and patterns, and my favorite is their new metallic line. These make for perfect deceptively eco-friendly bridesmaids gifts or for a practical Welcome Basket container for out of town guests.

2. Many times grooms end up taking a back seat in the wedding planning due to the overzealous bride’s need for perfection and control. What words of wisdom do you have a) for grooms who may want more involvement in the planning and b) for brides who are controlling all the decisions?

My advice to grooms is simply to voice your desire to be involved and have a say! Your bride will likely welcome the help and the second opinion. And if not, choose the few things that are most special to you, perhaps the tuxedos or the honeymoon and let your bride handle everything else.
As far as the bride, I highly recommend that you let your willing fiancé be involved. A wedding is about the union of two people and their personalities, hobbies, heritages and traditions…The wedding will automatically be more special for the couple and the guests if the entire day is based around both the bride and the groom.

3. I recently read a book (Wedding Season by Darcy Cosper) about a woman who had seventeen weddings to attend in about five months time. Being involved in several weddings either as guest or part of the wedding party can get pretty expensive especially in these economic times. What are some good ways to be involved in multiple weddings this season and not break the bank?

Unfortunately, finances can take some of the fun out of weddings, but there are ways to cut-back on wedding related costs. The most obvious suggestion I can make for this is to make sure you are purchasing a versatile outfit when shopping for your full wedding season. You can update the same look with different accessories for minimal cost. I also recommend that you prioritize the weddings you are invited to, making sure that you are fully participating in the celebrations closest family members and friends, but limiting your participation in the marriages of work acquaintances, friends of a friend and so on. Perhaps in those cases, you can cut out the weekend long festivities or the showers and parties prior.

Other easy tips include choosing the less expensive hotel option on the invite, carpooling with other guests and booking as much as possible in advance.

4. Speaking of the economy, many couples are feeling the crunch in regards to wedding planning. What trends and creative ideas have you seen in weddings that make the day special and pleasant but don’t blow the budget?

One money saving tip that many brides are using is to reuse elements from their ceremonies in their receptions, and from their receptions to their farewell brunches. Often, the chuppah or alter arch will be reused later as a décor element over the sweetheart table, while low arrangements and cocktail pieces are stored in a cool area overnight and used to decorate the brunch tables the next morning.

Smaller tips include opting for one framed menu card per table, instead of one per place setting, having the mothers or grandmothers get involved by baking the favors instead of purchasing them, and creating a monogram out of carnation petals on the aisle in place of an expensive hand painted runner.

5. Back to that book (Wedding Season) for a moment. One continuing theme was the color of the bridesmaids dresses. Every wedding the protagonist was involved in included a dress in some shade of orange. Is there a particular color or family of colors that is popular this season?

I would say that I am seeing a lot of purple, in every shade, from a light and grayish heather to a deep, dark plum.

6. What about songs? Wedding songs seem to trend and then fade. Which songs are enjoying wedding popularity these days and what is the most unique use of song you’ve seen in a wedding ceremony?

The trend I am seeing a lot now is that couples are choosing songs that really capture their own style or memories together, they are no longer feeling confined to traditional music. The most unique song I have ever seen at a wedding ceremony was “Got Money” by rapper 50 Cent at one of the ceremonies on my show My Fair Wedding. I didn’t interject because it meant something to the couple, and it worked!

7. My sister is getting married this summer and her dress was designed with pockets in it. This led to a discussion about what a bride would need pockets for. We assumed tissues, maybe lipstick and/or a compact, possibly a cell phone if the bride felt the need to update her Twitter or Facebook status during the wedding. Anything else brides are putting in their wedding dress pockets? Also, the wedding dress pocket is a new phenomenon to me, how long has this been a trend?

As many wedding dress fashions do, this trend came right from the high-fashion world, and I have noticed it more recently the past few seasons. Although I wouldn’t want to see any of my brides photographed with their hands in their pockets, it really is convenient for lipstick or lip balm, tissues, safety pins a mini mirror or a copy of their vows!!!

8. On the subject of Twitter and Facebook. I’ve seen many people using social media in regards to their wedding planning. Some create Facebook events as a way to invite and have attendees RSVP. Others have used Twitter and blogs to keep friends and family in the know about plans, travel arrangements, updates and to, of course, post pictures. Do you have any social media etiquette tips for couples? What’s the most creative use of social media you’ve seen a bride and groom use?

The idea of a wedding website is growing on me more and more as I really see it as a great vehicle for sharing both practical and personal information. Many couples post their versions of how they met along with pictures of their journey. It is also a practical place for hotel and travel options and weekend-long festivity information. On the subject of etiquette, this is the only acceptable place to list the stores at which you are registered. Social applications like Facebook make sense to many young couples because their group of friends is already using it everyday. The most creative uses I am seeing for these types of media applications is the couple actually allows those who log on to vote on elements of the wedding like the honeymoon destination, or even the bridesmaid most likely to fight for the bouquet!

9. One final question, everyone’s favorite part of the reception is the cake. Wedding cakes have come a long way since the days of columned tiers and plastic stairs and fountains and a little plastic bride & groom on the top. Wedding cakes can also be a large expense. When it comes to choosing and ordering a cake, do you tend to advise couples to be frugally minded or is this an item that deserves extra attention in the budget?

The wedding cake is often thought of as the highlight of the receptions décor. For this reason, many couples will break the bank on elaborately designed and deliciously baked cakes. One great money saving tip is to ask your cake-maker to create the top layers on a fake foam base then serving inexpensive sheet cake behind the scenes! This saves money and still allows you to have a cake cutting ceremony with the bottom layer. Another good option is to steer clear of the pricey sugar sculpted florals and place your own real ones on instead.

Many thanks to David for taking the time to share some of his expertise in wedding planning with our readers!