Reviews (9)

Needed Guidance
This book is very practical and incuded more than expected.Legal issues, adopting, all good information to keep in mind.And the real-life stories are used well.Great book!

Kind of a narrow view
I am not sure what I expected from this book.Maybe I have a bias since I am a professional event planner who also happens to be a lesbian.First off I must say the book does offer practical, easy to understand advice for any couple planning a wedding. The chapters are well laid out and packed with practical ideas.On the other hand the book does have a more gay male friendliness than lesbian friendliness.The book is authored by a gay male and straight female.So, the true lesbian point of view is kind of lost in the shuffle.Silly issues arise for the lesbian side of things assuming that all lesbian relationships are made up of two masculine females or two effeminate females.The vast assumption is made that all the members of a lesbian wedding party will wear dresses. The silly question also arises as to which woman will toss the bouquet or if two should be tossed. My partner would not be caught dead in a dress and do not even try to push a bouquet into her hands.I do commend Mr. Toussaint on his ability to make a well rounded wedding guide for the "rainbow" family, but his research (if he did any) should have include vast types of lesbians the same as it included vast types of gay male relationships.For this reason I can not give the book a full five stars because it simply does not address the issues of lesbian couples.

Lesbian Love
I heard about this book after a friend of mine in L.A. went to a signing. Thanks, Amazon, for carrying it. Toussaint and Leo did a great job telling us how to plan the wedding, and I'd recommend this book to anyone. But what I liked best, and didn't expect, was that the book told us all about the legal stuff; we might want to adopt someday, and there is a whole section about the different laws from each state. There was also a part on how to find an officiant, which helped a great deal. I thought I was going to have to spend days on the Internet searching for places to get help in that area, but it's all spelled out in the book. They give a whole list of sites to go to. We hope to someday make it to Massachusetts to make the whole thing legal, but until then, and after reading this book, we feel our "marriage" is as real as the best of them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Planning    3. Reference    4. Same-sex marriage    5. Weddings    6. Reference / Weddings   

Reviews (8)

If all you do is read the margins...
This practical book is very helpful for wedding planning.My favorite part is the tips listed in the margins."Bright Ideas", "Money Savers", and especially, "Watch Out!" point out some vitally important details that can easily be overlooked.If you want to look at pretty pictures, buy Vera Wang's, or Martha Stewart's wedding book, but be sure to get a copy of this book for the actual planning, it's a great time saver.

My Bible
I began reading this book shortly after I became engaged, and continued to use it through the week of the wedding. I found this to be the most informative, logical guide around. It gave me specifics of how to proceed, what questions to ask, and tips on making it all go smoothly. The only wedding planner you'll need
Like many brides I went out and bought about 5 different books the minute I got engaged. Of all those books, and all the magazines, this is the only book I used. From the all-encompassing advice (everything from hiring aflorist, to finding someone to marry you, to getting everything you want ona budget), to the great checklists. This book has the best registrychecklist I've seen, as well as great tips that you won't find from otherbooks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family Relationships    3. Family/Marriage    4. Love / Sex / Marriage    5. Marriage    6. Planning    7. Weddings    8. Family & Relationships / Family Relationships   

Reviews (6)

Not that great
The book is pretty and has a bit of useful information, but definitely not what I was looking for.You can get most of the information on the internet anyway.Save your money.

a wealth of information--evenbeyond the wedding
I have to admit, while planning my wedding I was hesitant at first to purchase a book that seemed to be on only one wedding topic. But being into stationery and typography, I'm glad I took a chance on this one. I wanted our wedding invitation to be really special (we have been together a long time and already have a child), and this book helped us achieve that goal. All the bases are covered, so you really understand what all your options are in a simple, non-overload way. This book is like a "master class", and is great for anybody who is interested in printing, stationery or invitations in general.

A lot of useful information
I'm not sure what the reviewer below was reading because this book contains everything you could ever hope to know about wedding invitations. It's definitely visually attractive, but it's the useful information (even gives you a timeline for you invites to make sure you're on track which I am often not!) that make this a must-have item for anyone about to get married. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Papercrafts    2. Reference    3. Weddings    4. Crafts & Hobbies / Papercrafts    5. Etiquette & entertaining   

Editorial Review

If you're planning a wedding, accept it now--there's a ton of details mucking up the happy path to the altar. There is so much on your mind that it's easy to freeze up and forget everything, or go crazy and paper the house with cryptic post-it notes. "After all," say authors Marcy Blum and Laura Fisher Kaiser, "a wedding is a complex affair to orchestrate, and keeping track of all those details, phone calls, expenses, and decisions is a job and a half." Organization is key.Read more

Reviews (16)

Almost requires the other book
I thought Wedding Kit For Dummies would be Weddings for Dummies plus the CD, it's not.It actually references stuff that's in the other book as if I'm going to buy both.
HONOST
The book I purchased was no in the condition which it stated and this seller was very honest about it. The seller gave me the option to have a full refund since the book did not come with the CD. I'd buy from this person again.

BUYER BEWARE
The CD doesn't include the software that it says it does.You have to hunt in the book to find the information that the software included is TRIAL versions only (you can get full versions for a "nominal" fee).It says it includes excel and excel documents which are simply NOT present on the CD.DO NOT BUY! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. Manners And Customs    6. Marriage    7. Marriage service    8. Planning    9. Reference    10. Wedding etiquette    11. Weddings    12. Reference / Weddings    13. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (1)

It's a cute just for fun book.
I bought this book on a whim, and while it is definately not what I would ever call useful - it's a cute and provides a nice break from any actual wedding planning that needs to get done.The events that might actually happen at a wedding have pretty obvious suggestions, and the more creative suggestions are reserved for things that I hope would never happen (a bridesmaid coming to the ceremony drunk). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Humor    3. Reference    4. Wedding etiquette    5. Weddings    6. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (18)

Humor blends with analysis in a survey of the modern bride's pressures and coping methods.
Kamy Wicoff's I DO BUT I DON'T: WALKING DOWN THE AISLE WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND isn't just another book about wedding planning, but covers the way we marry. Many women feel their independence and choices vanish when they become a bridge: weddings often bring out the worst in individual and social expectations and brides may confront family and social tradition alike as they struggle to make choices. Humor blends with analysis in a survey of the modern bride's pressures and coping methods.
Decent attempt but self-absorbed and annoying
I bought this book after seeing the great reviews on Amazon and read it on a two-week vacation. It took me half that time to get through it, and still felt like a way-too-long movie where you become disillusioned with the main character. She had the wedding "every girl" wants (the 2-carat ring, the $$$ Vera Wang dress, etc.) -- at least half of each chapter is devoted to the fact -- but then she claims she would change the details. I couldn't finish the book fast enough, only because it was so incredulous. Some of her insights were amusing and informative, however. Don't buy. Check it out at the library so you can return it. I'm selling mine.

An important book that's a pleasure to read
Whether you're single, married, or anything in between, "I Do, But I Don't," is a must-read for anyone who's ever wondered how modern women have come so far, yet are still caught in archaic roles when it comes to how they marry. Like a smart memoir should, Wicoff's book transported me back to my own wedding days and the conflicted feelings I had all the way through. I can't wait to see what Wicoff is up to next. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brides    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family/Marriage    4. Interpersonal Relations    5. Love & Romance    6. Love / Sex / Marriage    7. Marriage    8. Psychology    9. Sociology - Marriage & Family    10. Weddings    11. Women    12. Women's studies   

Editorial Review

Frustrated by the exorbitant costs and uneven quality of available wedding accessories, a mother-and-daughter team set out to rectify the situation by designing their own. The result is a lovely book filled with nice ways to add a personal touch to all aspects of a wedding, from the preplanning stages to the ceremony, honeymoon, and long after. Although many ideas are typical wedding-craft items (bridal purse, ringbearer's pillow, keepsake garter, sachets, and the like), the presentation is appealing, with good photos and instructions for 52 step-by-step projects, plus dozens more ideas for simple craft items, from picture frames to scrapbooks to party favors. Most items are relatively inexpensive to make and require only basic sewing or crafting skills. Sidebars offer useful advice on finding a good photographer, getting a passport, caring for fine linens, and much more.Read more

Reviews (3)

Not very original - OK for a few "first ideas"
I had read good reviews of this book and wanted to get some ideas for my upcoming wedding. After looking through the entire book, I found only one or two ideas I liked -and I'd already seen them before.I hoped for lots of neat favor ideas - instead, it had the completely unoriginal "almonds in tulle". Excellent resource!
I recently purchased this book, and was thrilled to see the number of projects that are included.It has an excellent selection of projects that can be realistically completed by even an amateur crafter.I have markedpractically the entire book with notes on how I plan to incorporate thevarious projects into my wedding.I was already planning on doing alot ofthe things myself, but this book provided some additional insight into theprojects I already had planned and then gave me some new ones.Anexcellent investment for anyone interested in saving money on weddingplanning and decorating and willing to put in the time necessary.

well-balanced, great book
What a great idea - combining upscale but affordable wedding crafts with informative sidebars.My favorites are the party favors and Honeymoon at Home - I plan to use it for my own wedding, then keep it to use for makinggifts and brainstorming for ideas for friends' weddings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Equipment and supplies    5. General    6. Gifts    7. Handicraft    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Wedding decorations    10. Weddings    11. BG-HISTORY - BG-AMERICAN HISTORY    12. Handicrafts   

Subjects:  1. Dowry    2. Ethnic Issues    3. Ethnic Studies - Asian American Studies    4. India    5. Inheritance and succession    6. Social Science    7. Social conditions    8. Sociology    9. Weddings    10. Women    11. Ethnic studies    12. Family & relationships    13. Women's studies   

Reviews (2)

Inspiration for grownup bride who wants something special
I don't think there's an inch of tulle in any of the projects in this book. If you're really looking for "101 uses for tulle and gold ribbon," this is probably *not* the book you want.
For the Artistic Bride
When my daughter was preparing for her wedding last year, our crafty family was determined to do as much as possible with our own hands. This inspiring book helped us achieve that goal.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Handicraft    3. Planning    4. Reference    5. United States    6. Wedding decorations    7. Weddings    8. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY PRESCHOOL    9. Reference / Weddings    10. Sale Books   

Reviews (2)

Beautifully Written
I loved this book. I've always thought that clothes can be so evocative of other times in my life, they are so imbued with memories and emotions and Ms Picardie has captured this. I've always enjoyed her articles in UK Vogue and could not put this book down. It really is gorgeous, and her descriptions of her mother and sister and relations are beautiful.

A warm, rich survey
MY MOTHER'S WEDDING DRESS: THE LIFE AND AFTERLIFE OF CLOTHES isn't just about clothes, but about their relationship to human lives. Stories of the author's family, friends, and the fashion business blends with reflections on clothes in culture to consider much more than just style trends. Stories of the author's unusual wedding dress, her own first party dress worn as a child, and inherited family clothing with the power to bridge gaps in relationships and even the living with the dead makes for a blend of memoir and fashion industry encounters with supermodels and designers alike. A warm, rich survey evolves.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Clothing and dress    5. Fashion    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Wedding costumes    8. Women    9. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (5)

Unique!
Are you looking for a special blessing for a wedding?Chances are good you will find something that is perfect right here in this book. In the book, WEDDING BLESSINGS by June Cotner, you'll find page after page of unique blessings to add a special touch to your occasion. I've included numerous derivatives of what I've found in this book in many of the weddings I have performed.
Excellent!
This book is great!! There are so many beautiful poems and quotes in here. There are a few very well known and many that are very different. Very highly recommended!!

A Gem of a Book
Wedding Blessings is a lovely book to give or own. I bought it looking for readings to use for my wedding and found much more. A beautiful volume of verse that will soften even the hardest of hearts and move you emotionally. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Prayers    2. Reference    3. Sociology    4. Vows    5. Weddings    6. Reference / Weddings   

Reviews (6)

Complete means Complete!
This book is COMPLETE!I bought this for two of my flowergirls (Age 6 & 7).It's a great guidebook and nice souvenir but it's got a bit of a serious tone - there's a lot of talk about practicing so it may freak some kids out.That said it's comprehensive and certainly gives a child who hasn't been to a wedding before a great idea of what happens.

Packed with information (maybe a little too much)!
Our six year old had never been to a wedding before being asked to be a flower girl.(What an overwhelming responsibility to a small child!)There are loads of books out there about flower girls, but few are true "hand books" that give an overview of what takes place at weddings and what exactly a flower girl's role is.This book covers all of the basics and more. We found this book to be particularly helpful in explaining the hows, whens, whys, and whos.We relied on a fictionalized flower girl story to address stage fright, sibling envy, and the magic of weddings.Definitely recommended.The book would make a very nice gift from the bride to her flower girl(s).

Adorable, good book!
This book was adorable and helpful.I bought a different book of similar topic and was very disappinted.This was a much better buy and I highly recommend it especially for the young new attendant! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bridesmaids    2. Children's 4-8 - Reference    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Flower girls    6. Juvenile literature    7. Reference    8. Reference - General    9. Social Issues - Manners & Etiquette    10. Social Situations - Manners & Etiquette    11. Wedding etiquette    12. Weddings    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Holidays & Festivals / General   

Reviews (15)

Traditional Vows
This book offers many "traditional vows". And choices from all types of faiths (most are Christian).Readings are also traditional. I would have liked to have seen more choices in all faiths.

Not Just Because My Vows are in this Book....
Diane Warner did a wonderful job compiling all different and personal wedding vows to help couples planning their weddings. The reader will find a varied and very diverse listing of vows and promises that will bring beautiful memories to any wedding. This book even includes vows for combining families and bringing children into the marriage from previous relationships. If this is your first wedding or your 7th, no doubt you will find something you can borrow from this book.

Compare first
I compared a few wedding vow books and although I thank all the authors for their efforts, the one I found the most useful, comprehensive, progressive in thinking, and with a generous mix of both spiritual and secular vows is "With These Words...I Thee Wed". Guess that's why it's been around the longest. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Marriage    5. Marriage service    6. Weddings   

Subjects:  1. Brides    2. Family    3. Family relationships    4. Marriage    5. Parenting - Fatherhood    6. Planning    7. Reference    8. Wedding etiquette    9. Weddings   

Reviews (9)

Good book but run by advertising
I just pinned down a wedding venue, and I found this book helpful, with a few caveats.Firstly, brides-to-be should know that every venue in the book must pay "Here Comes the Guide" to be included.This engenders a lack of objectivity for the writers judging these locations.I am a travel writer myself so I felt a litle cheated by not having access to a trustworthy critical eye in the site reviews.Secondly, I was frustrated with the lack of photographs and felt the "Here Comes the Guide" website was much more helpful in this regard.All the locations in the book are online, and it's free there.
The Book that Saved My Wedding
I absolutely dreaded planning my wedding and this book was the only thing that saved my fiance and I from spiraling into madness. We are both from the East Coast, relatively new to the Bay area, and had no family here to help us. Neither one of us had ever been married before or helped plan a wedding. Here Comes the Guide was the single most useful tool for planning our wedding, and is reliable enough that we didn't feel the need to interview a ridiculous number of vendors for each service before choosing one. If a vendor we liked was recommended by the book then we knew they had to be good. Here Comes the Guide is concise, recommends cool traditional and non-traditional reception sites, and provides all of the information you need to plan your own wedding without the help of a wedding planner. The only area which was lacking was limousines and transportation. Pretty much everything else, including bands, calligraphy, invitations, cakes, vendors, tuxedos, reception sites, and florists, was there in abundance.

A must have for all N. CA Brides
I was given this book as a gift soon after my engagement.At the time, I hadn't given much thought to where I wanted to hold the event.This book was a great help in finding several locations that were ideal.As the wedding market in Northern CA is rather busy, it was very nice to have several choices so that we could find a venue that was availible on our desired date.Read more

Subjects:  1. Directories    2. Entertaining - General    3. Marriage    4. Personal & Practical Guides    5. Quantity Food Production And Service    6. Reference    7. Weddings    8. Reference / Personal & Practical Guides   

Reviews (3)

ENDLESSLY HELPFUL
The Creative Jewish Wedding book has been a life saver. My partner and I had read every book, magazine, web site there is. As a Lesbian couple we were searching and searching for texts that included us in a way that was just inclusive and not so abrupt and exclusive or not included as an afterthought. Gabrielle makes all kinds of Judaism included and honored and makes the reader feel like whatever their beliefs it's all good. As a gay couple we can't express our appreciation enough of our inclusion and her way of writing that is so easy and pleasing to read.Gabrielle also introduced us to new ways of expressing words of god that put us at ease and honored our belief system. Her writing is compassionate and open, she offers excellent resources and information, and the book offers new insights and has been a delight to learn from and read.

The Creative fix to a well intentioned mother
Though my mom had the best intentions, my wedding was spinning out of control!I know she wanted the BEST for me but most important to me was for our wedding to be creative and an expression of us as individuals, as a couple using Jewish traditions.It helped me communicate this to her in a loving way. After that I felt like I had a whole world of new posibilities for our wedding. I was able to use this book to find out what traditions, additions and creative projects we could include. Thanks!

Creatively Carrying Through Intention
Reading through this book is like getting advice from a clever, witty, creative and deeply spiritual friend.There are wonderful examples of how different couples have created meaningful rituals for their weddings, giving the readers starting points to create their own deeply personal simchot. There is an amazing sense of openness and inclusiveness throughout. "The Creative Jewish Wedding Book" will be a standard engagement gift for my Jewish friends. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - General    5. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    6. Marriage    7. Marriage customs and rites, Je    8. Marriage customs and rites, Jewish    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Religious aspects    11. Weddings    12. Religious rites & ceremonies   

Reviews (13)

Don't Waste Your Money!!Buy 2 Knot books Instead!!
When I read the first few pages of this book on Amazon, it peaked my interested enough to buy it.But upon receipt when I had the chance to read through it more thoroughly I found that there was NOTHING interesting or even remotely useful in this book.It has all the traditional vow stuff (even though in the introduction it touts the whole untraditional-wedding horn) and then wierd things like Druid weddings.All the vows included in this book sound similar to one another.Nothing stuck out as being especially interesting.
Good starting point, but you'll need other references
This book is a good starting point for ideas for an alternative wedding, but you'll end up needing other references to flesh out your planning.I bought this and read it only once; I wish I had just checked it out of the library instead.
Helpful, but Chock full of Errors
While the general idea of this book was invaluable - I used it to help plan my own "alternative" wedding - the number of obvious errors in the book became a bit tedious after a while. Read more

Subjects:  1. Marriage customs and rites    2. Marriage service    3. Reference    4. Weddings   

Subjects:  1. Marriage    2. Photo Techniques    3. Photography    4. Photography Of Specific Subjects    5. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    6. Techniques - General    7. Weddings    8. Photographic equipment & techniques    9. Photography / Techniques   

Reviews (2)

Buy it used, if at all!
The book has some wedding history in it, but I would not purchase this book again.From the title and an Amazon.com search, I anticipated more cultural traditions, and while there are a few intertwined in the writing, they are not clearly defined.Everyone is different, so I hope that if you do purchase this book, you find something useful in it!I gave it 2 stars for an easy read.

The best book of wedding traditions in its genre
A Bride's Book of Wedding Traditions is quite well-written. The smooth prose presents information in a clear and concise format while informing the bride-to-be/reader of the symbolism behind familiar wedding traditions, and introducing traditions from other cultures. Covers areas from engagement to betrothal, to honeymooning to happily-ever-after. Contains wedding superstitions, examines new traditions as well as including an assortment of wedding readings. The bibliography is extensive and representative of the topics discussed within the text ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Love / Sex / Marriage    2. Marriage    3. Planning    4. Reference    5. Wedding etiquette    6. Weddings    7. Family & Relationships / General   

Subjects:  1. Bridemaids    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family/Marriage    4. Form - Essays    5. Friendship    6. Marriage    7. Pictorial works    8. Reference    9. Weddings    10. Reference / Weddings