Big Birthdays: The Party Planner Celebrates Life's Milestones

David Tutera is a highly regarded event designer whose clients have included Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Barbara Walters, and the Rolling Stones. He is also the host of the Discovery Channel's hit one-hour show, the Party Planner with David Tutera, in which Tutera lends his expertise on how to throw unforgettable birthday parties on everyday budgets.
Each chapter of BIG BIRTHDAYS covers a party by focusing on the look, the scent, the touch, the taste, and the sound of the celebration. There is a party for every milestone from age 1 through 100, including a father/son fishing party for a 5-year-old, a "turning-over-a-new-leaf" party for a 40th birthday, and a safari send-off for a 65th birthday. The parties are set in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations, such as a nightclub and an apple orchard.
Featured are food menus, cocktail recipes, how-to's for simple projects, and 100 "Tutera Tips" for dÈcor, invitations, entertainment, place cards, table settings, floral arrangements, and party favors. Tutera brings a fresh, original twist to birthday parties while honoring individual tastes and personal touches.

"A party planner to the stars, Tutera presents a semi — how-to entertaining book with guides for celebrating 10 landmark birthdays: the first, fifth, 16th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 65th, 75th and 100th. Each chapter includes notes and ideas in a variety of categories, which change from chapter to chapter but generally include such entries as 'the look,' 'the texture,' 'the taste' and 'the sound.' The 200 color photographs are lush and appealing; the prose is tinged with fabulousness. Many suggestions are fleshed out with step-by-step instructions (e.g., a personalized baby blanket and whitewashed farm tables), but most readers would be better served with more practical information, such as recipes for more recommended menu items — of which there aren't many in this volume. However, Tutera (The Party Planner; A Passion for Parties) includes many recipes for cocktails, such as Lunar Lemon Quencher and Blazing Red Martini, and they're fun, inventive and easy to follow. Even if several — or most — aspects of these parties are over-the-top and often unrealistic, the book is gorgeous and inspiring for anyone hoping to throw unforgettable bashes." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Lifestyle expert Tutera offers practical tips from his television show for throwing extraordinary yet easy and affordable birthday parties for all ages.

David Tutera has appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, the Today show, CNN, E!, and the Style Network. His work has also been featured in such publications as the New York Times, USA TODAY, The Times (London), The Wall Street Journal, InTouch, and Town & Country.