5 experts make wedding plans for Pitt and Jolie

Whether they walk down the aisle in 2012 or 2013, there’s no doubt that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will star in the wedding of the year. USA TODAY asked a quintet of A-list wedding planners to unveil ideas to help the most boldface bride and groom of them all tie the knot.

Friday, May 04, 2012
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Net photo

Whether they walk down the aisle in 2012 or 2013, there’s no doubt that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will star in the wedding of the year. USA TODAY asked a quintet of A-list wedding planners to unveil ideas to help the most boldface bride and groom of them all tie the knot.Planner: Marcy Blum, whose celebrity wedding clients include Billy Joel, Colin Hanks, Salman Rushdie and Tom Clancy."Some sort of magnificent structure.” Pitt is "such a visual person. He’s designed so many homes, and now the ring,” that Blum could see collaborating with him on a modern building that takes the typical tent cake "because that’s where his tastes run. The entertainment: A similarly boldface band. "A lot of friends and acquaintances are going to pitch in and perform,” doing double duty as guests and singers or players. "It’s part of the gift, almost.”Planner: Colin Cowie of ColinCowieWeddings.com, whose celebrity clients include Alyssa Milano, Eddie Murphy, Holly Robinson PeeteTwo venues: The first would spirit Pitt and Jolie and just their immediate family members to a luxurious South African safari camp. The vibe: For the African ceremony, warm and intimate: "I could imagine them getting married with a stunning African sunset under a large old tree hanging with dozens and dozens of lanterns.” The guest list: In Africa, closest family only – in L.A., 200 friends.The entertainment: In Africa, they would be serenaded by the local village choir. A couple of rock violinists and a percussionist would accompany someone like DJ Cassidy, who spun at Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s bash. Planner: Jung Lee of Fete, whose celebrity clients include the Bulgari family, Stephen King’s son Owen, Jann Wenner’s son AlexanderLee believes that: "It’s a revealing of the property for their closest friends and family that haven’t had a chance to visit yet.” Lee sees lots of children "running around the sprawling lawn. It can’t be more magnificent than that — sort of heaven on earth.” The entertainment: "Amazing acts like U2 and Elton John— just great bands that are also among their friends.” Guests are going to "get down and dance.”Planner: David Tutera, whose celebrity clients include Los Angeles Clipper Chris Paul and Shannen DohertyA "very exotic” venue that is most definitely not in the USA. "They’re so international. Think about the time they spend together as a family and as a couple. It’s not in the States. … Doing it in America sort of to me goes against who they are.” So think private island, "up on a mountain or in a rain forest” — a "challenging destination” for paparazzi to reach.The guest list: 100-150 friends and family. "Nobody in the business.”Planner: Diann Valentine, whose celebrity clients include Usher and Tameka Raymond, Jennifer and Eric Williams of Basketball Wives, Martin Lawrence and Toni Braxton.Their own private island, such as the $75,000-per-night Calivigny, off the coast of Grenada. The French colonial- and Balinese-style main house boasts 10 suites outfitted in designs by Oscar de la Renta and Richard Frinier. The vibe: A weekend of individual activities and group breakfasts and parties, including the most important bash of them all: the wedding, but the guests — and kids — wouldn’t know when they were saying "I do” until the moment it happens. The guest list: "Very small and intimate”: 50-75 family members and friends.The entertainment: "A very eclectic mix of music that is not about celebrity but more so about their personal taste,” representing the same cultures their family hails from. So think African dance troupe or choir plus opera singer plus, perhaps, Coldplay.