A group of lucky LWPI students at Wagner College in New York, Richmond County, recently had the opportunity to meet and tour the New York City offices of one of the wedding industry’s most elite members, Preston Bailey. The students’ instructor, Marissa Mortimer, the owner of Lavish Occasions in Staten Island, N.Y., says the trip was not only an unbelievable experience for her students but for herself, as well.

"When (Lovegevity’s) Wedding Planning Institute launched their partnership with the fabulous Preston Bailey, I was thrilled. When I navigated through his course I sat inspired by every word, image and idea. I literally pictured how I would discuss each aspect of his business in my classroom. I had a small glimmer of hope that I would be able to bring my students to his office, and though he is such a busy and celebrated person my dream came true today and with a down-to-earth, informative and patient event designer. His staff prepared a beautiful statement piece for us that was imaged as a huge design board, with florals stating ‘Welcome Wagner College’,” Mortimer shares on her blog.

Mortimer’s students are currently enrolled in Preston Bailey’s Signature Wedding and Event Design course through LWPI. During their meeting with Preston they were able to ask him any question they wanted about his business and experience in the wedding industry. Preston says on his blog that he is "so inspired by other wedding and event designers, but especially those that are young and just starting out. Their perspective is fresh, and their enthusiasm is contagious. The students I met last week were no exception. It was such a pleasure to chat with them and hear their plans and ideas.”

Mortimer and her students were invited to meet with Preston in his personal office. He asked the students questions about themselves, and he offered them a look into his background and career. "In a world where today so much ‘wedding fluff’ can be found, it was so refreshing to have open and honest dialog with a superstar,” Mortimer says on her blog.

The students also got a behind-the-scenes tour of Preston’s offices, giving them a look at where all the magic happens! They met with several of his staff and got to see first-hand the creativity and hard work that goes into his dazzling events. Natalie Licini, a New York and New Jersey wedding photographer, joined the group to make sure that Mortimer and her students have something tangible to remember their extraordinary visit with Preston!

Mortimer has been teaching wedding- and event design courses for about four years, and finds that introducing her students to top-notch vendors and industry leaders is a great way to get her students’ careers off on the right foot. "You are only as good as your vendors and that’s why I only work with the best in their fields,” she says. Her students in this class included: Zahra Alaouie, Yosmery Brito, Felicia Gibson, Krystal Erinosho, Mariya Molduvanova, Pauline Peramuna, and Tania Salmeron.

This summer, Wagner College will hold a Wedding Planning and Design Seminar where Mortimer will discuss Preston Bailey's Signature Wedding and Event Design course, wedding- and event-planning certification, and helpful hints on planning a truly memorable wedding. For more information, contact Mortimer at marissa@lavishoccasions.com or Wagner College, 718-390-3221.