Dans Papers - May 25, 2007 - The Tutera Touch

The Hamptons have long been a community where events and parties are synonymous with the landscape. The evolution of the benefit-cocktail culture conjures up images of white tents that blend into the far off dunes with a romantic backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the likeness of a happy, casual atmosphere dotted with cocktails, high heels, plenty of tanned bodies and white, linen button-up shirts. Yet even if you are not the socialite-type and enjoy spending your Independence Day weekend at a quaint family barbecue, there is still a great amount of planning needed to flawlessly execute the celebration.

So now that Memorial Day has ploughed into our calendars, how will you plan the perfect East End soiree? Are you finding yourself with To-Do lists up to the ceiling, stressing over loose ends and calling it quits before you even get the chance to send out invites? Well, your solution is simple - just ask David Tutera.

David Tutera, whose noteworthy resume includes events such as Star Jones' wedding, Jennifer Lopez's Still perfume launch, the Official Post-Grammy Parties in New York City and parties for Elton John, Barbara Walters, the Rolling Stones, Vice President Gore at the White House, Tommy Hilfiger and countless charities, including The Cancer Research Foundation, the Alzheimer's Association and the Nature Conservancy, is without a doubt one of today's most innovating and leading entertaining experts.

And if there is one place that David knows how to plan for it is the East End of Long Island. David has been coming out to the Hamptons for almost twenty years. When he first came out to the South Fork, he spent much of his time in East Hampton but then fell in love with the look and character of Sag Harbor. In a recent conversation with David, he explained, "People really want to entertain and they go through a funny process - they are worried about making the wrong decision." And with his latest book, The Party Planner, you can overcome that fear of making a wrong decision with David's diligent, step-by-step tips and advice.

The Party Planner is an absolute "must-have" for the 2007 summer season. Tutera lays out his approach to ten themed parties that touch upon each season, including summer and winter cocktails, a wine tasting gathering, a harvest feast, a Christmas dessert party, a Chinese New Year Celebration and, of course, all those special occasions, such as children's birthday parties, wedding proposals and anniversaries galore. The book is lavishly illustrated with gorgeous photographs by Charles and Jennifer Maring, who really capture the taste, look and dynamic that Tutera wishes to convey.

On the topic of planning events in the Hamptons, regardless of how big or small, David explained that "No matter how casual everyone wants to be, there's a certain aesthetic that everyone wants to present. People want casual yet chic parties in the Hamptons - it is central to the East End philosophy." He added that assuming you can entertain outside in the Hamptons is a gamble - it is necessary to imagine hosting the same exact party indoors, to cover all bases. In The Party Planner, there are two chapters that would suit any East End party -- "Summer Nights: A Ship-to-Shore Party for Twenty-Five" and "Ya-Ya Sisterhood: An Outdoor Garden Party for Six."

Both chapters beautifully display the way to make a summer party both magical and manageable. The best part is that Tutera devotes a section in each chapter to music so you can gear the energy level of your guests with a few key selections from your iPod.

David remarked that it is "easier to throw a party in the Hamptons than it is to execute a party in New York City. All you have to do is go to a local farm stand and purchase a few snapdragons, lay out some clean, colorful tablecloths and design a simple menu. No matter what, you'll find something you like." It is true that the East End has some of the freshest local produce on the East Coast and it is all right at our fingertips.

Recently, David launched his own line of products called David Tutera Home and two months ago, he created a collection for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, called "Disney's Couture Wedding Collection by David Tutera." For more information on his Couture wedding collection, visit www.disneyweddings.com. And if you didn't think this was enough for one man, on July 4 he will open a flower/retail shop in the Trump Taj Mahal named Stem, where he plans to create the ultimate floral experience for every customer. This is all in addition to his one-hour primetime television series, "Party Planner with David Tutera" on the Discovery Home Channel.

So whether you want to turn your fantasy into a reality while spending time in the Hamptons or just want to relax and watch the waves wash ashore with a few close friends, David has the answer to help you attain the wow factor you've been looking for. Let's celebrate!