Ivanka Plans for Her Big Day
Ivanka Trump shares her wedding planning process, and helps you keep cool while planning yours
Brides.com: Did you have an idea or vision for the type of wedding you wanted before you got engaged to Jared or did it develop more during the planning process?
Ivanka: I’ve always envisioned myself having a traditional and elegant wedding, even before the engagement. Once I met with Preston Bailey and his team, I was confident he would take my vision and make it a reality.
Like a lot of brides-to-be these days, you are planning your wedding while juggling a lot of other responsibilities in your life. In your case, you’re a businesswoman in the Trump organization and the head of your jewelry company, the Ivanka Trump Collection. Sprinkle in TV appearances and the new book you just authored! How did you keep all of your ideas organized and the planning process on-track?
Balancing work and my personal life is always a challenge, but I have my Blackberry, [my wedding planner] Preston Bailey, and [my coordinator] Barbara Esses to thank for keeping me on track with planning and appointments. Plus, when you have so many other things going on you naturally avoid becoming too obsessive in planning. I always remind myself that it’s the marriage that’s important—not the party.
Many brides-to-be spend time flipping through wedding magazines, bridal blogs and wedding planning sites before they’re engaged and then during the planning process. Do you have any favorites?
Like most girls, I now keep copies of bridal magazines around to flip through the pages. The photos are great for inspiration. However, when I’m at my computer I’ve now found myself going onto Brides.com in between meetings. I particularly like their wedding count down timetables. They help keep me focused and on top of what needs to get done and when. (Editor’s note: We’re beaming!
Wink)
Did you know which vendors you wanted to work with right from the start or did you meet with several vendors in each category—event designers, baker, music, stationer, etc? What was the most important thing you kept in mind when choosing your planner and vendors?
I had so many ideas and visions for my big day but I knew it was important to let Preston filter some of my ideas and elaborate on my vision to create something even better than I could have imagined. As someone who is so hands on with all of my business ventures, it was important for me to relinquish a bit of control and leave some things to the experts.
Preston’s list of vendors is amongst the best of the best. He introduced me to Sylvia Weinstock, who truly is an amazingly talented pastry chef. (She, incidentally, also made my brother’s wedding cake—the perfect combination of delicious, which is often overlooked, and gorgeous!) For my gown, I met with several different designers, but ultimately, it was Vera Wang whom I knew could capture the look I was going for. For invitations, I think that Tiffany’s is the best. I adore mine (which were just mailed)!
We don’t want to forget your groom! Has he been very involved in the planning process? Does he have a favorite area of planning?
He put so much time and effort into designing
the most perfect ring for me! I think he is now enjoying taking a backseat as I handle the rest.
What element of the wedding is the most important to you?
The ceremony. This is the moment every girl dreams of. At that point hopefully all of the anxiety will have subsided and I can just enjoy the moment. I am excited to be standing with the guy who I am committed to spending the rest of my life with as our family and friends surround us.
Are you looking forward to one special wedding moment in particular?
Standing with my (soon to be) husband under the Chuppah. And then dancing like a maniac with all of my friends!
Care to share any details about your bachelorette party?
I had a night on the town with the girls (involving a boat ride on the Hudson and karaoke late night…And of course what would a bachelorette party be without too much champers!)
What was the best advice you’ve received about wedding planning? From friends and/or family?
If anything I have learned from friends and family the importance of simply just being yourself and taking a step back to actually enjoy the planning. It is not everyday this opportunity comes around and we should treat it as a truly once in a lifetime opportunity (which hopefully it will be!!!). From picking out the gown, and the jewelry and most importantly the people who will be standing beside me, this night is one that I should never forget.
I have also been told not to rush down the aisle but to really savor the moment…sounds like good advice but knowing me I’ll be running to the altar! I am a New Yorker and don’t really know how to “take my time.”
You are very active on Twitter. How far after the ceremony should we expect your first tweet as a married woman?
I’ll try not to forget…cocktail hour?
Every bride has some level of stress when it comes to planning her wedding. How have you handled your wedding-related stress: Do you workout, take a break, relax with girlfriends?
Planning over the summer has been a blessing as I was able to relax with my friends and family, which always takes my mind off stress. As for working out, every bride has her own form of pre-wedding diet and exercise regimens. I have yet to get really motivated though…Tomorrow I’ll start!
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