Preston Bailey is one of the most in-demand event planners for the rich and famous — he's worked with Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, Joan Rivers, Matt Lauer, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Uma Thurman, among others. This past year, he designed the $10 million Lord of the Rings-inspired wedding of Facebook/Napster billionaire Sean Parker to singer/songwriter Alexandra Lenas, as well as NBA star LeBron James' elegant San Diego wedding to his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson.

As 2013 comes to an end, we asked the famed designer to share some of his favorite trends and ideas that he saw emerging this past year.

Light-Up Tents
"Gone are the days of the ugly white plastic tent exteriors," said Bailey. "Projections are a great way of creating a statement and transporting guests into a new realm." 

Outdoor Weddings
Sean Parker's majestic forest wedding became one of the year's most talked about celebrations. With strands of flowers cascading from the trees, a petal-strewn aisle, and rustic benches as seating, it's easy to see why. "Outdoor ceremonies are still very popular, in spite of Mother Nature’s unpredictable moods," said Bailey. 

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever!

As more and more couples plan destination weddings, weekend weddings, or celebrations that require some of their guests to travel (and plan ahead), save-the-dates have become an essential part of the planning process — as well as a fantastic way to express your creativity. You can go vintage, modern, or boho, incorporate bold colors and fonts, or keep your save-the-dates simple and understated. I love when brides and grooms insert their unique sense of style and personalities into a save-the-date with humor, fun, and romance, like these super-cool ideas from Pear Tree Greetings.

The “Get to Know Him & Her” is an accordion style five-panel save-the-date that unfolds to show photos and wedding details. In back, there’s one large photo and separate panels about “Him” and “Her.” This particular card describes how the couple first met and what they thought of one another. Sweet!

For couples planning a destination wedding, this “Around the World Spinner” is ideal. Four different photos of the two of you appear in the cut-out circle in front as guests spin the side wheel. In back, your wedding location, date, and website are listed.

Ballroom weddings can be so beautiful — but how can you make yours stand out among the rest? We asked experts in the industry what their brides have done to make their reception truly special. Check out this amazing inspiration and give your ballroom wedding your own personal touch!

1. Unlike outdoor spaces, ballrooms come with a lot of pre-set décor that can’t be changed. Pull elements from the walls, trim, ceiling, etc. to create a color palette that complements the room. That way, your reception style flows cohesively with the rest of the space.

Photo Credit: Jen + Ashley Photography

2. Is there a chandelier in the ballroom that doesn’t quite go with your ambiance? Have your florist create an arrangement to hang from it! These florals will soften the room and give your guests something amazing to look at.

Photo Credit: Cami Jane Photography