9 Tips For Creating Your Dream Wedding — From a Celebrity Planner

Want a wedding as fabulous as the stars? Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed's wedding planner, Andrea Freeman, shares her tips on how to create your own dream wedding.

Weddings are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to throw a grand celebration. But you don't have to be a celebrity to have a dream wedding . . .

01
Get Inspired

Get Inspired

I'm sure you've discovered that there are endless sources of inspiration out there when it comes to planning every aspect of your wedding. As long as you remember to let these images be an inspiration and a guide to share with your designers you'll be OK. Your vendors are artists and sharing your inspiration with them will be a great starting point, but make sure that you let them do their job and create something unique and special just for you. Never allow yourself to be pressured into agreeing to anything that doesn't feel exactly like what you want deep down inside. Just like when you met "the one" you'll know when you've nailed a design element — it will just feel right and there will be nothing more to talk about.

02
Location Is Everything

Location Is Everything

Celebrities like to be ahead of trends when it comes to wedding locations, but they also like to keep the location personal. Since the wedding location sets the tone for the entire event, make sure you select a spot that's important to you as a couple. Private estates, floral gardens, rustic ranches, vineyards, and destination venues with breathtaking ocean views are all good options to consider.

03
Welcome Baskets

Welcome Baskets

They are such a luxurious treat for your out-of-town wedding guests and exactly the kind of detailed comfort that celebrities request in each room. Make sure that your baskets contain something sweet, something salty, and a refreshing beverage to get started. For that added special touch you can also a designer bath robe along with a personal note, a list of local restaurants, and amenities.

04
Highlight Your Personal Style

Highlight Your Personal Style

Celebrities spare no expense creating personalized touches that infuse their personal entertaining style throughout their event. His and hers signature drinks for cocktail hour, monogramed napkins, compostable plates or fine china, and custom gifts/favors all leave a lasting impression and help your guests connect with you as a couple.

05
Royal Cakes

Royal Cakes

Everyone is talking about the royal Swedish wedding right now. One of the things that the royals always do is a grand cake cutting. And Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist did not disappoint cutting their extraordinary confection with a saber. If a royal cake is too pricey ask your baker to add a couple of "faux" layers. This will give you the majestic visual appeal of a grand cake without the price tag. After you and and your groom cut the cake your caterer can slice up the layer cake you were hiding in the back. Your guests will never know!

06
Ice

Ice

Delicately manipulated ice amplifies the aura of luxury and celebration like no other material and its seductive sparkle is sure to create an emotional first impression that captivates the crowd. If you're offering a raw bar during cocktail hour sculpting, individual serving dishes out of blocks of ice will not only keep the seafood chilled, but will also provide visual appeal. For a true wow factor carve the entire station out of ice and display all of the elements. For a more modest but equally luxurious touch, carving drink trays out of ice and passing signature shots around the dance floor keeps the party going nicely!

07
Keep Your Look Fresh

Keep Your Look Fresh

Celebrities love to change looks for their weddings and often have more than one designer gown on hand to keep their look fresh and fun. If you want to wow with fashion like an A-lister but don't want to buy multiple gowns, a great option is to go with a designer that does a convertible dress. Try a sleek strapless dress with a removable overskirt. After your ceremony remove the skirt, bustle your train, let down your hair, and magically have a new look. Just remember it's not about designer labels or the latest trends. It's about you, your body, and what feels best so have fun with this!

08
Spend on What's Important to You

Spend on What's Important to You

Unless you have a truly unlimited budget you will have to make choices. This makes it possible to have a wedding that really highlights what's important to you and your partner. If you're foodies — splurge there. If you want stunning images that you'll cherish forever, a sizable portion of your budget will go toward photography. Of course, if you want exquisite photos, I do suggest making decor your focus. This is something celebrities understand incredibly well and so their receptions are always filled with beautiful floral arrangements and specialty lighting. Grand weddings usually include tall arrangements and create "wow!" factor, while more intimate celebrations tend to embrace low centerpieces and warm candlelight.

09
Never Lose Sight of the Real Reason For Your Wedding Celebration

Never Lose Sight of the Real Reason For Your Wedding Celebration

It's to celebrate with treasured family and friends. Sure it will be fun to be in the spotlight but don't forget to step away from the crowd for a moment and savor a private and special moment together. Celebrities often plan an elaborate spread for cocktail hour so that their guests are well taken care of while they slip away to capture their first precious moments as a happily wedded couple on camera. These are images you'll treasure for a lifetime!