Product Description

Truly great parties cast a powerful spell. They delight the senses, lift the spirit, and enchant their hosts as well as their guests. No one wants them to end, and in fact they never do, as the best ones live on as cherished memories. But how exactly do you produce one of these magical gatherings?

The first thing you do is consult David Tutera's A Passion for Parties. One of the world's premier event planners, Tutera produces extraordinary parties for such disparate luminaries as the Rolling Stones, Tipper Gore, and the Prince of Wales. Now, in this lavishly illustrated entertaining guide, he reveals his trade secrets and helps you stage your own unforgettable event.

As inspiring as it is informative, A Passion for Parties is a comprehensive guide to planning any kind of party, on any size budget. Tutera begins with the basics: how to find a location; select the invitation; choose a theme; and make decisions about menus, table settings, music, lighting, flowers, and decor. Then he shows you how to apply those basics to a variety of events: intimate gatherings, birthday parties, weddings, formal celebrations, and holiday entertaining. For the major events, he guides you through the technical details -- what to know if hiring a caterer, live band, valet parking, or tenting service -- and pulls in specialists like wedding cake expert Sylvia Weinstock and culinary master Wolfgang Puck.

Best of all, Tutera identifies the key elements of all parties, large or small, and offers a dazzling array of possibilities to make each party special. Throughout the book you will find dazzling photographs that bring all of his ideas to life. So whether you are planning a romantic fireplace picnic, a ladies' breakfast, a tented bat mitzvah bash, a New Year's dinner party, a Memorial Day clambake, or the wedding to end all weddings, David Tutera helps you throw the party with your own personal flair.

As lighthearted as it is invaluable, David Tutera's A Passion for Parties is sure to become your party bible.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #424540 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-18
• Released on: 2001-09-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Amazon.com Review
With a client list that ranges from corporate heavyweights Morgan Stanley and Marriott Hotels to style-setters Tommy Hilfiger and Kenneth Cole to Elton John and the Prince of Wales, David Tutera's party-planning prowess is indisputable. A Passion for Parties, his first book, reveals the secrets of the Tutera touch, so now partiers of all stripes can benefit from his decadent aesthetic. In 10 chapters that cover everything from choosing the date and the invitation to design concepts and the icing on the cake, Tutera distills his years of creating gloriously unrestrained events into practical advice for artful entertaining.

Whether planning an intimate dinner for four, a formal wedding, a New Year's Eve gala, or a Memorial Day clambake, the key to a successful party is, of course, passion. Tutera addresses the basics of organizing and hosting various types of parties, and throughout shares colorful anecdotes and "Tutera Tips" that vary from the obvious ("If you use open flame candles, make sure you keep the flame away from flowers, tablecloths, and other flammable materials") to the conscientious ("Leftover food from your event can be donated to a local homeless shelter soup kitchen"). Menu ideas, flower arrangements, table settings, and more are discussed in detail, and photographs from Tutera's occasions demonstrate his special flair and provide plenty of inspiration. If Martha's too New England and Colin Cowie too L.A., Tutera's touch could be just right for you. --Rebecca Wright

About the Author
Stephen Crane (1871-1900) was born in Newark, New Jersey. A novelist, poet, and journalist, he was one of the first American authors to explore the naturalistic style of writing, mixing harsh reality with compassion. His other works include Maggie: A Girl of the Streets and Other Short Fiction and The Open Boat and Other Stories.

Laura Morton is the author of twenty-three books and has written seven New York Times bestsellers, including books with Melissa Etheridge, Joan Lunden, and Marilu Henner.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

I love celebrating the holidays. Some of my favorite events have been planned around the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Although I'm continuously busy throughout the year, there is something about these six weeks that brings me a special joy and pride as a party planner and event producer. The holidays are a time of bringing families together and celebrating old traditions. Of course the holidays are also a time to start new traditions! Over the years I have been privileged to help decorate the home of Vice President and Mrs. Gore for the Christmas season and help plan unforgettable holiday parties for numerous clients.

More than any other time of year, the holiday season seems to offer a reason to throw a real bash, to celebrate. The same principles apply for holiday entertaining as for any other kind of party, but with a unique twist when it comes to decorating and atmosphere. There is one more detail to consider when hosting a holiday party: how to survive! As with any party you plan or host, having a well-thought-out strategy and keeping your sense of humor will help see you through this very special time.

I chose three of my favorite events of recent years to highlight how special the holidays can be. And there is also one for those of you who love the summer.

THE SETTING An apartment in New York City on Park Avenue overlooking Central Park.

THE DESIGN The hostess wanted to have a casual and symbolic setting for her family's annual Thanksgiving celebration that utilized her very formal dining table. The environment in the apartment was formal, but my clients were rather down-to-earth, so I thought I'd balance the look of the home with the personalities of the host and hostess. I decided to make the design rustic, but keep it simply beautiful.

THE TABLE DESIGN First, I covered the table with foam board, available at any art supply store. This allowed me to set anything I liked on the top without damaging the table. The foam board is placed over table pads to ensure safety for the table. I covered the foam board surface with terra-cotta-colored tumbled marble, which had an earthy look that played into the fall foliage because of the orange and rust colors. To fill in the spaces, I rubbed the entire table with moss, which filled the crevices between the tiles. This gave a feeling of the earth, symbolic of the harvest associated with Thanksgiving.

Large birch tree logs (that would later be used for firewood) were set as the "anchor" for the runner. Placed among the logs was a variety of crystal bowls and canisters that held cranberries, some of which fell onto the tabletop. Beautiful flowers and other fruit representing the holiday were also placed in the bowls and canisters. Hollowed-out gourds and small pumpkins served as vases for the flowers. This really added a natural beauty designed to bring the guests into nature, while dining on Park Avenue!

Large, chunky, round candles lined with cinnamon sticks (purchased from Pottery Barn) were set on small antique stands and placed directly on the table. To add an interesting twist, the table was set with a mixture of the hostess's fine china, crystal, and flatware. I loved that the guests ate off expensive place settings mixed with inexpensive decorations. The combination was rustic eleganceperfect for Thanksgiving in the City.

THE MENU Louis Lanza, chef and owner of Josie's and Citrus Bar and Grill in New York City, provided the delicious catering for this fantastic Thanksgiving celebration.

An Almost Tratitional Thanksgiving

Serves 12

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

12-Grain Biscuits with Horseradish-Unfused Butter

20-pound Roasted Free-Range Pasilla Chile and Cinnamon-Rubbed Turkey

Giblet Gravy

Corn Bread, Pecan, and Fresh Cranberry Dressing

Cranbery-Ginger-Pear Chutney

Baked Apples with Raisins and Cinnamon

Zucchini Pancakes

Oven Pasnips and Carrots with Rosemary

Slow-Cooked String Beans with Smoked Chicken Sausage

Fruit Pie with Macadamia Crusted Top

Pumpkin Carrot Cake

THE LOCATION The historical home of clients in Connecticut that was built in 1891.

THE SETTING A fairy-tale mansion in the woods.

THE DESIGN This particular client owns a chain of boutique-style gift stores and coffee shops, so during the holiday season she is too busy to decorate her home. She approached me with the project of preparing her family's holiday decorations, and I was elated. Her home is my dream house, and if she ever put it on the market, I'd snatch it up in a second. I was able to hand-pick all the decorations I wanted from her amazing shops, and I felt like a kid in a candy store.

THE LIGHTING Holiday lighting is very important, especially when decorating a home of this size and grandeur. I wanted passersby to gaze in awe at the home's expression of the season. I hired a lighting company to install lights on the outside of this magnificent home. I up-lit the house in alternating red and green lights, washing the entire front in those holiday hues. Miniature juniper trees on the front porch were covered in small white lights. This provided an intimate touch in front of such a large home. Tiny white lights ran along the entire edge of the back porch, like delicate icicles hanging from the arches. This tactic allowed my client to enjoy the lighting from inside her home.

THE TREES Three Christmas trees were placed inside the home. The first, a traditional tree in the family room, had classic-looking ornaments, multicolored lights, and the added touch of real candy canes. The next tree, of sheer elegance, was set in the alcove of the amazing formal living room. It was covered in tiny white lights and delicate ornaments. Hand-tied bows of silk shantung in solid mango, hot pink, and gold and plaid made the tree seemed dressed for the occasion. The colors complemented the wall treatments of the room. The outcome was the " picture-perfect tree." The third tree was set up in the kids' playroom. While I had been able to decorate the trees in the main areas of the home as I deemed best, I wanted my client's children to experience the thrill of decorating their own tree for Christmas. I helped with the lights on the tree, but the kids did the rest themselves. Handmade ornaments from school, past and present, and their favorites covered the tree from top to bottom. The key was to let the children's imaginations go wild and let them enjoy the season.

TUTERA TIP: Fresh garlands and ribbons should be kept a safe distance from open fires and fireplaces. It's easy to get caught up in the look of a magnificent mantle, but remember that both of these holiday trimmings are fire hazards.

OTHER HOLIDAY DECORATIONS This fantastic home has twelve fireplaces. I thought it would be fun to create a decor for each one around my version of the "Twelve Days of Christmas." I decorated each fireplace mantel with a specific theme based on the twelve themes that were reminiscent of the season. The fireplace in the formal dining room was all white and had an antique mirror hanging above it. The feeling was very clean and pure, like snow, so I placed fifteen different snowmen, in different sizes and styles, on a bed of Christmas tree branches and greens, adding contrast to all the white. I draped strings of crystals (available at any home improvement store or lighting company) along the edge of the fireplace and mantel. These crystals are an inexpensive way to add sparkle and formality to any setting. Between the swags of crystals I hung simple yet elegant round glass ornaments. Each ornament hung at a different level and was tied with a see-through iridescent opaque ribbon.

In the living room, since the tree was elegant and formal, I decorated the fireplace a little less formally. It was covered with a variety of carved wood animals. A garland and the same silk ribbon that was used on the tree coordinated the overall feel of the room. The fireplace in the study was simple and masculine. A variety of antique nutcrackers imported from Germany were set among a small amount of Christmas greens placed atop the mantel. The edge was accented with miniature nutcrackers hanging like fringe. For the fireplace in the family room, which was traditional like the tree that stood beside it, I draped garland and a wide plaid Christmas ribbon, and topped the mantel with antique angels. The theme was representative of peace for the season. The next fireplace was decorated for the children's enjoyment with a variety of teddy bears dressed for Christmas sitting on top of fresh Christmas greens.

One of the most beautiful and amazing fireplaces was in the main entrance of the home. Since Santa Claus is one of the most visible symbols of the holiday, this mantel featured a variety of Santas. Garland was also draped along the sides of the mantel and accented with tiny white lights that led to a huge Santa holding a bag of gifts. I placed a plate of cookies on the mantel to represent the traditional offering families leave for the big guy. As a finishing touch, the entire banister in the foyer was covered in a garland of festive holiday ribbon.

TUTERA TIP: Providing a separate dining table for the younger kids is a great way to keep them entertained, calm, and still part of the holiday. The kids' table should be shorter in height than a regular table, and you can rent kid-size chairs. They will feel more important and have a lot more fun. Place a fully decorated miniature Christmas tree in the center of the table for a whimsical touch.

THE LOCATION The newly finished log cabin home of my clients in Westchester County, New York.

THE SETTING The wooded backyard of the family estate.

THE CONCEPT This was the only party I planned for the turn of the century. Though I was asked to plan major extravaganzas from Atlantic City to New York City, I chose to p...

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Book
I usually do not review items, but this book, A Passion for Parties, I felt I had to. I saw David on "The View" several times and decided to order his book. I am sure glad I did.

This is one book I have absolutely enjoyed from page 1. David gives great advice for planning an event. He covers all the finest details on throwing a party from invites right down to how much liquor to order according to your guest count.

He also adds humorous stories from his experiences in the industry and very informative tips throughout the length of the book.

I recommend this book highly to anyone who throws a party. I can only hope that Mr. Tutera is working on another book to keep me updated on the latest trends.

not much useable info
i was quite disappointed. i had hoped for a few things i could incorporate into my own party giving. but i consider it to be a guide to working with a party planner. no recipes, no how tos. for instance the section on music suggest that you ask the DJ for a list of the types of parties he's worked. i'd prefer a list from david of the best jazz cds to serve at brunch.

Entertaining Expert To The Stars Enters The World of Print
After checking out Entertaining Expert to the Stars, David Tutera on the TV show "The View," I knew that I had to buy his book! David first book is not only a stylish volume that has a permanent place on my coffee table but it is a practical handbook filled with gorgeous photos and sensible advice.

Through his most helpful trade secrets and best tips, David Tutera showed me that I don't have to spend a lot of money in order to throw a great party.

The Rolling Stones, Tommy Hilfiger, Elton John and the Prince of Wales all have hired David to produce spectacular events. Now I know who to call!

Packed with invaluable wisdom, A PASSION FOR PARTIES is sure to become the definitive entertainment bible. I highly reccomend this book to everyone.