Celebrity Wedding Planner Preston Bailey Calls Trends 'Evil' — And His Budget Tips Could Save You Thousands

Preston Bailey has planned weddings for Serena Williams, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and the Ambani family’s $600 million celebration. So when he calls wedding trends“evil,”it’s worth hearing him out. His point is that chasing whatever’s viral makes couples lazy, following the moment instead of their own ideas. And he’d know: his first wedding cost just $300.

So how do you make a budget wedding unforgettable? Bailey says treat the night like a Broadway show. Open slowly, then deliver a small surprise every half hour. Put money into centerpieces and the altar, use affordable, long-lasting flowers like orchids, and swap expensive floral arches for groupings of votive candles. He also suggests edible favors like cupcakes or cookies over branded trinkets guests leave behind.

His ultimate success test isn’t the photos: it’s whether nobody wants to leave when the evening ends. What trend are you skipping at your next celebration? Let us know in the comments.