Wedding Books

I loved this book for it's absolute tradition. This will show people tradition is still very much alive and kicking. Very handy tip's easy to use and doing the arrangements looks easy and won't put you off.

I enjoyed this book because of the ideas it presented for the little details ... suggestions for floral arrangements that were dramatic, beautiful, and unique. It gave examples of floral arrangements for everything from baptismal fonts to tents. I was inspired to think beyond the standard altar pieces and table decorations.
While many of the actual examples were a little heavy for my taste, I found them to really demonstrate how powerful flowers and greenery - beyond the white roses and baby's breath - can be, and how carefully chosen floral arrangements can compliment any decor and create ambiance. I recommend that anyone needing to choose flowers for a wedding - or really, any occasion - at least take a look at this book for inspiration, even if one isn't going to actually arrange one's own flowers.

I am thoroughly enjoying Shirley Monckton's book, which I happily discovered on returning from an "early honeymoon" in England, in which my fiance and I explored wonderful Gothic cathedrals and appealing parish churches. Yes, Ms. Monckton is writing for an English audience and her lovely decorations are suited more for the churches and manor houses in her country, but she has a great sense of design and lots of detailed advice for the rest of us, too. Being "florally-challenged," I greatly appreciate Ms. Monckton's experienced guidance on things I would never have considered, such as determining what the rules are in decorating a particular church or hall and who enforces them, how to keep a vertical arrangement from looking like a Christmas tree, how to prevent plastic in a basket arrangement from reflecting sunlight or camera flashes in your wedding pictures, and how long to condition flowers before arranging them (two hours to overnight . . . not the two minutes I would've allowed). Shirley emphasizes planning ahead and informs the reader which things can and cannot be completed until the Big Day. She kindly nudges the bride to delegate the last-minute work to the florist or talented friends/family members. Of the three wedding flower books I've read in recent weeks, Shirley Monckton's is definitely the best.

I found that this book was not detailed enough for beginners in terms of creating the arrangements. It focused more on the wedding day rather than the actual flower arrangements. I was looking for more of a step-by-step guide for arranging wedding flowers.

This is a cute book with lots of ideas. Doesn't have a lot of "how-to's", but does have some. Great pictures. I use this as a book for "brides-to-be". Someone always chooses something from this book.

I agree with another reviewer. This book was so boring and hard to get through. The only reason I kept reading was that I hoped it would get better. It did not.

This book made me want to read more about the charaters involved... however that was also the weakness of it. It devoted too many page to people, places and events that didn't take place in these pages. The situations seemed a little contrived too, but for beach reading, it's okay.

Despite the book entitled 'The Bad Luck Weeding Night', I would rate this offering 5 out of 5. It keep me laughing all the way. I was delighted by the stubornness of the main characters, Nicholas and Sarah. They just seem perfect for each other. The sisters are also a delight, as they truly resemble the famous 'McBride Menaces'. This is a must buy!

Geralyn Dawson shows us once again that humor and romance do go hand in hand. She is wonderfully witty and imaginative. I also thouroughly enjoyed the return of the "McBride Menaces", who allied themselves with the newly christened "Ross Rascals" in their goal of permenantly reuniting the title couple. What I didn't like was the heroine herself. After she grew up a little she was definitely less selfish and self centered but she blamed Nick for everything from their horrid wedding night to their failed marriage up to the very end. In actuality she was the one to balme. If she had trusted her husband to get her through the uncomfortable part of the wedding night unscathed (well, mostly unscathed) she might have realized a lot sooner than she did that she actually liked sex. I mean really, how much beating to his pride can a man take? She also displayed her lack of loyalty to her husband when she didn't believe him about Susan. I could sympathize with her being young and not wanting to leave her family to a strange country and all that but how in God's name could she blame him for going?! His father had just been proclaimed dead! She acted like a bouquet of flowers and a tersly worded note at the funeral would be sufficient! I was appalled at the lack of sensativity that Mrs. Dawson displayed in her. Insensativity is supposed to be for men. Other than her the book was fun, witty, and charming.

The plot was "Dumb". Sarah was a stupid character who lacked "character". Nick was just as boring. Not romantic or lightly sensual at all. What a waste of my eye sight, money & time.

I really enjoyed this book, but it was definitely more of a pleasure read than anything instructional. I was looking for some advice directed specifically toward second marriages, and eventhough I did pick up some good ideas, this book was geared more toward the older first time bride. The author stresses the premise that an older bride should do whatever makes her happy (wear a white dress, have a zillion attendants, register for gifts) without regard for what others may think. Don't each of us in the over 40 crowd do that anyway?

This book is a treasure in the midst of the piles of repetitive ... about getting married. If you don't fit into the average profile of Girl Getting Married, this book will have something for you. I think the way they're marketing this book is a bit off -- it's not only age that makes you different. I'm getting married for the first time now at 33, and I found SO much to identify with in this book. Besides, it's hilarious, and was such fun to read in between issues of Martha Stewart. I'm recommending it to all my friends.

This is an amazing book for any one who is not a young bride. She has done an excellent job explaining wedding requirements, others expectations and all with a great deal of humor. The author provides great ideas for the "mid-life" bride and also permission to do the wedding your way. I have never enjoyed a book more...forget Martha and the bridal magazines if you are over 35 you need this book.

As a first time mid-life bride marrying a man who's been there, done that, 3 times prior in fact, I've met with my share of shock, disbelief and advice. None of it worthwhile until a close friend, herself a mid-life first time wife, recommended this jewel of a book. Shelley Christainsen tells it like it is, as opposed to the typical starry eyed bride guides who tell it like Cinderella imagined it to be. This book is a must read for every mid-life bride (and wanna be) and will be the first gift I give newly engaged friends from now on.

As the prospective husband-to-be, it is wonderful to hear excerpts that my intended reads to me when she comes across something that really hits home (which happens constantly). We fit the profile presented in the book to a tee and I find myself identifying closely with many, many things in the book. Preperations for Long Island style wedding celebrations can be lenghtly and exhausting, and the day can wind up being quite expensive. They are generally geared to those that we have amost 20 years on, and some of the pagentry borders on the uncomfortable. Instead, the book is written from the perspective of us "40-somethings". I have actually had the feeling of relief descend upon me after hearing the common sense ideas and flexible approach that is typical of the book. So, I say "Way to Go" Shelly Christiansen, and "Thank you" too !

For not knowing what I was getting myself into planning a desitnation wedding, this book is giving me an insight to all the details and questions to get answered. This is a great book!

Before buying this book, I did research online at various bridal sites. Most of the information in this book could be found online for free! I also found that the majority of the information pertains destination wedding brides who are planning celebrations in tropical places (of which I am not). Some good information, but buy it used!

I enjoyed reading this book. I thought the characters were great and their relationship with each other plausible. I did however find some of the events in the book to be a bit unrealistic. Despite that, it keeps you reading and guessing until the end. I went on to read Sturman's 2nd book and found it equally, if not more, enticing.

I loved that this story kept me wondering for so long. There were no "dead" spots in the story, it moved along quite nicely, frequently adding new clues to the mystery. At the climax of the story, I serioulsy could not read it fast enough, it was so good! I recommend this to anyone who wants a fun "whodunit" to read.

I wanted to read something fun and entertaining during the long flight to the UK and decided to give The Pact by Jennifer Sturman a whirl. Even though this chick-lit mystery doesn't supply much in the department of great surprises, it did satisfy my need for a good read. More on that later. After a long string of loser boyfriends, five Harvard friends made a pact: to let each other know when they're dating a jerk. Rachel had no idea just how far their pact would go. When her friend Emma becomes engaged to Richard, the biggest jerk on the planet, Rachel and the others try to warn her off, but Emma is adamant about marrying Richard. When his body is found floating in Emma's parents' pool on the wedding day, no one knows what to expect. Is it possible that one of Emma's friends, in a desperate attempt to keep their pact, killed Richard? Or was it Peter, Richard's hot best friend, one Rachel has a major crush on.

This is an entertaining story starring Rachel as the narrator. Already you just know that she'll become an amateur sleuth for future novels. The pace is fast and never boring. You get a good dosage of chick-lit and mystery in this novel. It really is Agatha Christie meets Sex and the City (blurb by Meg Cabot). The world of blue-blooded types is done well, if a little stereotyped. The mystery aspect in itself isn't that shocking, but the execution supplies some plausible surprises without coming off as over the top, like the efforts of so many people attempting to write mysteries out there. The Pact is a great light read that you can enjoy during a flight or if you're spending day on the beach (if only!). Suspenseful chick-lit is an interesting new market, one that many authors are jumping into. Melissa Senate and Jennifer Weiner are only two examples of authors jumping on the mystery bandwagon. This, however, is written by someone who intends to make the genre her own. Sturman is a talented writer and I look forward to reading The Jinx and The Key.

I'm usually not a fan of mysteries, but I found that I really liked The Pact a lot. I think the author was able to balance the book's mystery element with a good dose of chick-lit. While I felt very anxious to keep reading in order to see who the murderer was, I found I was also curious as to the resolution of the main character's romantic situation. Overall, a very quick, fun read, with just enough mystery to keep a non-mystery fan interested.

I have never reviewed a book online before, but was motivated to in this case by how appalling I found ?The Pact?.

The prose is childish and unengaging. A cliche is used wherever there is an opportunity (and this is about 5-7 times per page). It took a great deal of effort to keep ploughing through this book, when everything about the style screamed that it was by someone with nothing original or interesting to communicate.

I will skip over the weak plot, though much could be said about it, and head straight to the worst aspect of this novel; the characters. Each and every one of them is shallow or actively repellant. Especially the heroine. She drips arrogance and superficiality and, most unfortunately, this seems to reflect the personality of the author. The question, of course, is why anyone would represent themselves as such a mediocre individual. Constantly name-dropping, judgemental and shallow. I cannot fathom why anyone would find this character appealing.

I cannot advise against reading this book more strongly.

I just finished the book, and I have to say "Kudos!" to the author. That was a wonderful read. I can't believe you made me fall in love again, not only with the stories, but also with the place. I've been a New England fan for quite some time, although I haven't been able to visit any place there. You painted the town of White Birch so perfectly, I felt like I was there during all these events.

My ultimate favorite is Lambert's Code. I'm not yet married. Honestly, I prefer single man meets single girl, and they fall in love stories. But with this story, I realize that there is a new type of love when you fall in love, get married, and have all the problems you two can share.

Plus, I see myself in Taylor and Elizabeth's shoes too much. Me, career girl? Seems like it.

Thank you for the wonderful read. 5 stars for the books. I hope that you'll have more stories from White Birch!

While reading New Hampshire Weddings I could picture the landscape of the small hometownof the Lambert family, their firends and other local characters who live there. The strong family ties to some of the characters are at the same time wonderful and exasperating. This book is an excellent read.

Integrity Publishers Inc. has developed a truly unique form of scrapbooking. This album will save much time as the pages are already for picture inserts. Each page is self-explanatory and layouts are artfully designed. All you need to provide are your photographs and written thoughts.

I was a Smash Hit !!! I did not expect the response I got from the audience during and at the end of the night. I have never done any pubic speaking before, and I was very very nervous about accepting this role offered to me by my brother. The book made it easy to cut and paste my speeches, to put them in at the right time, and most importantly how to keep the event rolling on, in a very professional way, but more importantly in a fun and cruisy way, just the way a reception suppose to be " fun and entertaining". So thanks Pete for a smashing success of my brothers reception.

This book was not a very big help to me. All it is is common sense about weddings. Nothing really that I didn't know or expect about the wedding that I'm MC-ing for in this book. Disjointed, and not put together very well also. Unoriginal games/wedding ideas/funnies. Huge waste of time and money.

I found this book very useful when it came to ideas on making a wedding reception interesting. There are lots of tips; jokes, games, and general advice including sample speeches that can make the reception a memorable event. Some people often forget that the reception is the Bride and Grooms special day. The reception is the key part of the day where everything must go well to make it memorable to the couple that got married. I wouldn't want to be responsible for ruining an important event like that which is why this book is excellent in terms of making it run smoothly.

This book was just what the doctor ordered. I was thrown into a situation I knew nothing about but thankfully Peter Miller did. I was guided through all my duties and responsibilities as a wedding MC but not only was I given a guideline - the book actually tells you what to say and when. It is a good piece of work and I would recommend it to anybody looking for spice to add to their role as a Wedding MC. I used the "Keys" as my audience participation bit and it had everybody roaring with laughter. Thumbs up to Peter.

Where this book falls short is in its approach to weddings as just another event or party with a budget and how to get the most for your dollar. The problem is that the wedding planners are almost never present the actual day of the wedding and they really are clueless about what worked and what did not and what provided value and what was really a waste of money.

So much of the actual enjoyment of the day depends on the attitude as well as the skills of the various vendors and how realistically the time line is laid out for the day. If the makeup artist is late, is a bridesmaid forgets her sash, a groom does not try on the tux until the day of the wedding and finds it does not fit or that the rented studs are not all there, or the limo driver gets lost, the flowers are late, no one knows how to pin a boutonniere onto a lapel, then the time line is jeopardized, pictures are not taken, and the wedding party has additional stress that could have been avoided.

A photographer is overbearing, videographers set up their cameras and tripods in the aisle or behind the alter or on the honor table, the DJ can't play or forgets to play the chosen music or has no energy, the catering staff puts the cake where it is convenient for serving but not for the pictures of it being cut by the bride and groom, the bridal veil is not secured for an outdoor wedding and keeps getting blown around the bride's face, their is no fastener for the train or bustle limiting the bride's mobility the entire day, the bride's dress needs to be constantly hiked up to keep her from exposing herself during the dancing, the DJ decides that more people will dance if the music is at 130 decibels and the room is completely dark except for their flashing colored lights, the minister is in a funk, the sound system for the outdoor ceremony is inadequate or a large mike on a stand is used so the face of the bride is obscured during the ceremony, a stretch limo is used so the ladies need to crawl in and out and the step for the door leaves a mark on the bride's dress as she exits for the ceremony, the photographer takes an hour for the post-ceremony formal pictures in part because key people wander off after the ceremony, the bride and groom cannot circulate around the tables during the reception as there is no room as the reception location's sales person told them it would hold 20% more people than was actually the case.

All of this happens and it makes a great deal of difference in how the bride and the groom and their families and friends will spend the day and how fondly they will look back on the day. Books like this and the majority of wedding planners really have no concept of what can and often does go wrong, and how to anticipate and plan to minimize problems and maximize the enjoyment of the day.

At the end of the day all that is left are the memories, the rings, and hopefully some great pictures and this is where the focus should be for brides planning their wedding day. With every wedding there are elements that are high value and high cost as well as ones that are high value and low cost. The former should be carefully managed and the latter should be automatic. On the other hand there are elements that are low value and low cost and low value and high cost and too often as much of the bride's time and money is wasted with areas that could easily be eliminated altogether with no impact on the enjoyment of the day. For fear of alienating vendors too many wedding business publications and too many planners fail to make this clear to brides and too often their perspectives are shaped with little concern for the enjoyment of the participants.

I have had two daughters walk down the aisle and one left to go. The tips and information contained within this book will be a valuable help to anyone who is planning that all important day. The book is not just for the bride and her family, but for the groom as well. So often the groom sincerely wants to help, but a good number are uncertain of what their role is except to show up for the blessed event! This book will help steer everyone in the right direction.

The book takes you through each step of the planning process, from checklists, budgeting, location and photographers to troubleshooting in a variety of personal situations. What happens if your family does not exactly welcome your intended with open arms? Or, perhaps your family's religious beliefs are different than his, then what? I can recall one wedding that would have more aply been described as a three-ring circus. The mother of bride locked herself inside a bathroom and refused to come out because her "ex" showed up at the last minute to give his daughter away. The bride's sister (maid of honor) ran UP THE AISLE in tears when her former boyfriend, a friend of the groom's showed up with a new lady on his arm. At the reception, the master of ceremonies decided there would be a change of plans and a new method of determining who ate first, by having each guest bid for their dinners (starting at [amt.] per person) with the proceeds going to pay for the honeymoon! Needless to say, it was the fastest way to clear a room ever recorded in history. Most guests had already given a very generous gift to the couple, now they were expected to pay for the honeymoon? These are mistakes no bride or groom wants to make. This book is an excellent guide to making one of the most important days of your life, a day you will cherish for years to come. Happy wedding planning and may all your days be filled with sunshine!

"The Knot: Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World," written by Carley Rodney, the founder and editor-in-chief of www.theknot.com provides tons of information on weddings. There is information from the announcement of the engagement to the big day, from reception to the selection of honeymoon destinations. Other useful information includes the roles of the wedding party, wedding gown selection, vows and ceremony details, budget planning as well as dealing with the stress of planning for a wedding. There are inserts of real life stories that I find quite fascinating.

I think this is definitely a useful book to have for those who are planning for their weddings. It's extremely comprehensive as the author does an excellent job in covering the various aspects of wedding. There are always issues or things that were not thought of before but will be brought to attention in this book. "The Knot" is definitely a lot more "down-to-earth" compared to some of the other wedding planning books out there which are useful only if you are planning for a extravagant wedding. In addition, this book also comes with a wedding checklist as well as worksheets which would help couples with their planning. This is definitely a must have for couples!

This book is a must for all brides to be or even to wedding planners. It offers not only a practical checklist, but also experiences of other couples that walked the aisle before us. With great advices on how to make your wedding what you want: a beautiful and personal ceremony...I recommend it without hesitation.

I would recommend this book for any new Bride who wants great advice on weddings. I have read several books and this one has nice quality information - in great detail. If you want to READ a book, not just look at pictures, this is the book for you. It's the best!!

This is one of the finest stories I have read in a very, very long time. What a wonderful surprise to find packaged in such an unassuming cover. Perhaps I quibble, but this book deserves a cover more in keeping with the quality of this story.

Wonderfully, this is not a typical dashing, handsome, romantic hero and beautiful heroine story. Captain Jesse Randall is the shy, reluctant, unassuming hero of this compelling saga set in the Penninsular war, with the earnest, hardworking, gently pretty Elinore "Nell" Mason as heroine. They are joined by a wonderful, colorful, primary cast of supporting characters; The gruff, father/teacher Chief Surgeon Dr. Sheffield, the rogue/petty criminals Privates Harper and Wilkie; with a group of equally integral, worthy, subgroup of supporting characters. The historical setting and references are appropriate and accurate to the setting of this story. The descriptive prose richly emotes the essence of feelings, settings, and atmosphere of war torn armies, the populace, the villages, countryside and all the incumbent hardships war inflicts upon each; such is the setting and situation of the story

The story is of the retreat of the ragtag members of Marching Hospital Number Eight to Cuidad Rodrigo accross the Spanish countryside. They have been left behind all their supporting regiments through the machinations of the evil, miscreant coward, Major Bones. The trek, tragedies, and hardships require and demand the most of the personal strength, character, hearts and souls of each person supporting and working together. There is no glorious fairy tale here, only harsh reality, small redemption, sadness, and gracious, quiet, happiness. This is a hero, heroine and those heroic characters of real life. This is a hero, heroine whose richness of character, personal strength, and great love, who most definitely cast many dashing, heros and heroines in the shade - a story permanently on my keeper shelf.

The title sums it up for me. Events happen to these characters, but they emerge from the book exactly the same as they were before.

I did like the characters, who were sweet and refreshingly normal for a romance novel, but it seemed they fell in love out of proximity. There was no sense of them completing each other or being drawn together out of unmet needs the other could fill. Perhaps it was because the hero was already in love with the heroine when the book started, but I saw no reason for them to be in love.

Setting - Spain Napoleonic War circa 1816 --- Set during the siege as English troops retreated to the Portugal border is this most alluring, sensitive and evocative regency that I've read in quite some time. The story begins with a prelude and introduces us to a sprightly 10 year old daughter of a career soldier and his sickly wife. Elinore `Nell' Mason at the age of 10 is more the caretaker of the family than her father, the irresponsible sergeant Bertie Mason and his long suffering wife. She is taken in hand by the kindly Chief of the medical unit, Captain Sheffield, who gives her chores that she tackles with remarkable determination and perseverance of one so young.

Captain Jesse Randall, is a young intern who admires the young child then goes off, assigned to Canada for 8 years, returning battle hardened and then finding that Nell, the child, has grown into a beautiful young lady. Jesse, who is as renowned for his medical skill and dedication to his patients, is also renowned as well for his unassuming manner and intense shyness towards the girl he has come to love.

Upon the death of Nell's mother, her father is compelled to barter her off to the despicable Major Bones, if he cannot produce the monies that Bones advanced to him. In trying to save Nell from this fate, Jesse is somewhat (even though he's been in love with her for two years) coerced into a quickie marriage so that her father cannot trade her off to pay his debts. In response to Jesse upsetting his plans, the odious Major makes sure that Jesse and Nell's medical unit gets left behind, and on there own as the French advanced and the main English army retreated.

The `journey' then, was a remarkably written tale of the rag tag bunch of, physically and emotionally wounded men that made the journey, their various adventures and their individual growth so very outstanding. Not your usual bit of fluff regency but one with full body and fully developed characters whose lives all changed during the `journey'. Elinore "Nell" is a heroine who will certainly claim a piece of your heart as she claimed Jesse's. Jesse's shyness over the love he felt for Nell, that he couldn't believe would ever be returned was so sweet, you'll just want to cry. Harper and Wilkie, Jesse and Nell's self-appointed bodyguards were also a delight and you will cheer as I did, that the comeuppance for the odious Major Bones came to such a wonderful conclusion. Again, this was a very provocative and compelling read that I HIGHLY suggest be placed at the top of your reading lists! -- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com---

I just literally finished reading this book and am ashamed that I allowed it to sit for weeks on end on my bookshelf before forcing myself to make time and read it. This was literally THE BEST signet regency book I've ever read and I truly loved and adored the characters that were fully developed and unique and every possible way. Despite the summary located on the back of the book that is NOTHING to what the book has in store.
The story all begins with Captain Jesse Randall, surgeon to the English army serving in northern Spain against the dreaded French. He has always loved the young Elinore Mason, a poor beauty with heart and soul. He is not your typical war hero with no fear and all about guts and glory. He is a new type of protagonist I've been waiting to read about. He's kind, shy and always thinking of others before himself. Ms. Kelly delves deep into his feelings and really brings readers to love him and want him to survive ALL that he goes through.
I cannot help but think to myself that this book would make the best movie of all time. It is a great war epic that has (of course) all the things that many love to read about: Romance (naturally), intrigue, drama, and action. There was not one character that didn't stop the even flow of the book and every point and detail given in the narratives only helped you understand situations more. I've never read a more "feeling" book than this and this is number one on my recommend list.

Carla Kelly always writes with compassion, understanding and depth; never glossing over the harsh realities of life during this period of history. Indeed, the pivot of most of her stories is usually a particularly hard fact of life - and often death as well (something not often emphasized in a romance novel per se).
Both hero and heroine are well drawn and the reader is soon definitely sympathetic to the feelings of each. The truth of war and its true cost are definitely underlying this tale.

Jesse's love for Elinore is obvious from the start, and throughout we are actually more shown his deep feelings and point of view, than hers. His strength of character is obvious, but his realization of it himself is a large part of the enjoyment of the story. Elinore's feelings are not so easily discerned by the reader, perhaps because she is resolutely not wanting to know them herself due to her hard life.
I was only prevented from giving it a top mark, by two things. First, the very melodramatic resolution of their return to the British Army. It just seemed a stroke too much. Second, the short conclusion of the story in a summation of Jesse and Elinore's married life in England. I wanted to be shown some of their happiness - to contrast with the wrenching suffering & the vale of tears through which they had passed.
Well written and an undeniably engrossing story.