This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on May 29th, 2013 with Ace Young, Diana Degarmo and Renee Strauss. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different. 

Ace Young
Best known as a contestant on the fifth season of Fox’s American Idol, vocalist Ace Young is also a Broadway performer and contemporary pop vocalist. Born in 1980 in Denver, CO, Young grew up in Boulder as the youngest of five brothers. 

After auditioning in Denver, Ace made it to Idol’s Hollywood round and ultimately stuck around for six weeks. While on the show, Young befriended fellow contestant and future rock sensation Chris Daughtry, with whom he co-wrote the song “It’s Not Over;” the tune later appeared on Daughtry’s debut album and received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song in 2007. Young launched his own recording career with the help of producer Desmond Child, and his self-titled album arrived in 2008. 

Learn more about Ace Young at http://www.aceofficial.com

Diana Degarmo
Only 16 and a junior in high school in Snellville, GA, Diana DeGarmo was the youngest finalist of American Idol 2004, but you wouldn’t have guessed it from her powerful, confident voice. Growing up a show-biz kid surely helped. DeGarmo had been in Atlanta-based productions of Annie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at a young age and performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics as part of the Coca-Cola’s “Olympic Kids.” She later became a cast member of Cartoon Network’s Cartoon Gang and got her first taste of televised talent shows when she became a finalist on NBC’s America’s Most Talented Kid. Being too young to audition for the first season of American Idol frustrated DeGarmo to the point of boycotting it, but taking a peek midseason, the young hopeful became a massive Kelly Clarkson fan. She was still too young for season two, but studied it intensely, and became Miss Teen Georgia in the meantime. Prior engagements kept her from auditioning for season three during the show’s stop in nearby Atlanta, so DeGarmo and family took a vacation to Hawaii to catch the next tryouts. She was in and worked her way up to runner-up, losing to Fantasia Barrino. While Barrino sat atop the charts with “I Believe,” DeGarmo took the number two slot with her single “Dreams,” written by popular tunesmith Desmond Child.

Learn more about Diana Degarmo at http://www.dianadegarmo.com

Renee Strauss
An internationally renowned bridal stylist, Renée Strauss is one of the wedding industry’s foremost experts. After 30 years of establishing herself as the premier bridal retailer of Beverly Hills, Renée continues to cater to an elite clientele from around the world, providing unparalleled service and access to the most exclusive luxury designers. Her knowledge, experience, global connections and taste are unmatched.

Learn more about Renee Strauss at http://www.reneestrauss.com
 

Q1: How did you initially meet?

Diana:  I actually met doing the revival of the B’way musical HAIR in NYC in 2010 not during @AmericanIdol.

Q2: Ace you proposed to Diana live on American Idol. How did you plan this?  

Ace:  I just spoke from my heart. So that @DianaDeGarmo new it was real.

Q3: What type of wedding are you creating for Ace and Diana? 

Renee: We have a fun filled afternoon/evening planned with a combination musical/hollywood/country theme! Surprises!

Ace: Diana & I have been doing everything together. I think that’s important and it’s really fun. THis is OURS.

Q4: Diana now your brother will be returning home from his fifth deployment in Afghanistan to walk you down the aisle?

Diana: We are SO happy to have him home, even for just a bit. I couldn’t get married w/out him! I am honored to have him give me away.

Q5: Diana What made you fall in love with the first dress on the @BridesofBeverly ?

Diana: THE LACE! I absolutely LOVE lace & was blown away with the craftsmanship. Thank you @sarehnouri! I knew it was MY dress as soon as I put it on.

Q6: Can you describe Diana’s Gown?  

Renee: What a gown it shall be! stunning french guippure lace designed by @sarehnouri herself!

Q7: Renee What will their wedding reception be like?

Renee: Photo booths, margarita bars, step & repeats with custom designed logo/monograms of the bride & groom! Appetizers named for song artists and more!

Wedding Market Question: Tell us about your officiant/minister. Someone you know? Did you craft your own ceremony, too?   

Renee: Their officiate is a wonderful friend named Fred who worked with them on IDOL but he DID have to register to become authorized to perform the ceremony. Valid for 90 days only!

Diana: Fred, is the best! And he really knows BOTH of us which was very important for us in choosing our celebrant. He is a professional show writer and very well spoken man so I have faith in him. 

Ace: Haha oh yeah! He got on that quickly! He said we may have started his next career venture for him, lol.

Wedding Market Question: Are children attending your ceremony and reception and how will you keep them busy?

Diana: Yes, kiddies are attending, but we have a babsysitter for the 3 & unders during the ceremony and cocktail hour. After the ceremony and cocktail hour, their parents are back on duty, lol. 🙂 We even have a kids table!

Wedding Market Question: What did they do on their first real date?

Ace: Shake Shack in Central Park-our favorite now!

Wedding Market Question: How do you plan on decorating your wedding? Are you using a particular theme?

Renee: Diana and Ace were set on making a statement with color…they have colorful personalities too!

Wedding Market Question: Who are Ace and Diana’s groomsmen and bridesmaids?

Diana: Of course we have Ace’s 4 BIG brothers, two of his close friends. I have 5 of my BEST GFs & my GAY OF HONOR!

Wedding Market Question: Open bar or cash bar?

Ace: No open bar, but we have provided PLENTY of Alcohol w/ @AsomBroso Tequila Bars AND two types of CO Beer-reppin home. 

Renee:  Goodness NO CASH BAR for my clients! we have @AsomTequila margarita bars, champagne, Nappa wine & COLORADO BEER

Wedding Market Question: Does Diana have the future mother in law’s approval?

Diana: She is headed to our house as we speak and I absolutely adore her. I am a lucky, lucky girl.

Wedding Market Question: Did you attend any #bridal shows?  Ace or Diana or did you know you wanted to work w/ a fab #wedding planner?

Ace: One and it was a HOT MESS….

Diana: Oh yeah, we went to one here in LA and it felt completey chaotic and a total joke. But WAIT, we DID find our new Photo Booth friends there!

Wedding Market Question: What is the song you’re gonna dance to?

Renee Tweeted for Ace & Diana:  We are playing for our first dance entitled “I DO”

Ace: We actually wrote our 1st dance song by accident. We were just writing in the studio & it just happened!

Wedding Market Question: Any bridezilla or bridesmaid-zilla problems?

Diana: I did lose a bridesmaid about 3 weeks ago when she flaked out on me..but our bridal party was UPGRADED when an even BETTER friend Stepped Up To The Plate! We are blessed with a WONDERFUL Bridal Party.

Wedding Market Question: Did you change your minds about singing at the wedding?

Ace: It’s really hard to sing & cry. Plus, we thought that it might be kinda cheesey.

Wedding Market Question: What are some of the biggest trends in invites you’ve seen lately?

Renee: I just designed music boxes that required hand-delivery for a couple that are also musicians.