Wedding Books

this book had all ages of wedding celebrations and some really great pictures of many years and many celebrities as well as us common folk. I loved looking back at all the great fashions and memories. This would make an excellent gift book to a newly engaged person as she begins to plan a wedding. clinta ingraham

Some interesting studies for designers

This beautiful, full color books features stunningly photographed dresses of all shapes, sizes and colors with a well written and extensive history of gowns and related traditions. The photo spreads are lavish, and not at the expense of the text of the book. But as some other reviewers have mentioned, each time period starts out with a few examples of the appropriate vintage gowns and then shifts into photos of modern gowns interpreting or inspired by that period, which is a little disappointing. Unless you're a designer or a collector this book isn't worth the nearly $90 sticker price, but if you can get it used or at the bargain price (as I did), it's a beautiful coffee table book with enough text to keep you reading for quite awhile!

This book is definitely modern, presenting sofisticated and classy designs. It focuses on how modern designers are inspired by the past. Unfortunately there's not a lot of documentation, 98% of the dresses are modern, but brides looking for ideas will find it very useful. If you're more interested in the past, I suggest you look up Maria McBride-Mellinger.

I got this book literally two days ago for Christmas. I love it. I had it on my amazon wish list, and somebody bought it for me. I expected the book to be much smaller -I was happily suprised at the size and thickness! As a browser, it has spectacular large photos.

I am am in the wedding industry and I did recognize some of the more recent photographs from designers' advertising campaigns. I love some of the older photographs, and old sketches. I do think there was an excellent representation of gowns from each decade. Most of the photos seem to come from the fashion industry or pop culture archives. There are only a few more photos from real everyday brides' weddings.

I plan to read the text cover to cover this weekend. So far the captions and the layout I notice are straightforward, organized chronologically. It should be a short read like any coffee table book. The book covers the decades of the 20th century. Each decade shows representations from popular culture, from everyday weddings, from marketing campagins, as well as some designers' over-the-top "visions." I did not expect it to read like "history" book like some of the other feedback. What I expected to get out of it was an inspiring visual browse, and overview of wedding fashions of the 20th century, and I was very satisfied in that respect.

My sister found this book years ago when she was looking for sites for her wedding. I used it to help find a location for my companies 25th anniversary party. I had to buy a newer version when I was scouting locations for my own wedding! If found wonderful places I never heard of before. It saved me a lot of time and energy by eliminating contacting places that would not have been a good fit.

My husband and I are not from the DC area, but have settled here. We knew we wanted a DC area wedding, knew we wanted it outdoor, but didn't know where to go from there. This book breaks down sites by how many guests it can accomodate, and lets you know prices, rules, etc. This saved me hours of phone calls and pointless drives to sites that wouldn't have been right for us. If you know the DC area, this might not be the right book for you, but for us carpetbaggers, it was a lifesaver!

When our two daughters recently became engaged, I ran out to buy this new Unique Places book, written by local author Elise Ford. For the price,(around $20 including shipping. For our weddings, each around 120 guests for sit-down dinner, I found this book not helpful. Locally distributed free publications have more information, more sites,similar information on costs, and are more a propos for planning weddings. This book would be useful for an organization, or for planners of galas or huge corporate functions. Most of the interesting locations do not allow private parties, especially weddings. A small percentage of the locations would be suitable for 'small' parties of around 100. I will donate this book to a non-profit organization I belong to. Many sites are excellent for large non-profit gatherings. Other sites have their own food preparation on site so renter can't bring in one's own caterer. A few private clubs are included, but not enough. This book might be helpful to some people, but not to this family. I should have checked it out in the library first. Mea culpa! Fine for event planners... but not mothers of brides.

Absolutely wonderful reference book if you are looking for a place in the Washington, DC area to have a special party. Arranges different sites by size, area, type etc. Is very useful and convenient to use. Saves hours of phone calls!

I used an earlier edition, but I would assume they won't differ too much. This was an invaluable resource for our initial wedding planning. We were able to find out ahead of time and w/o phone calls that some sites we were interested in were too small to accomodate our guests. And, then we used it to investigate locations we had never thought of, or knew existed.

I have also used the book as a resource when planning social events for a non-profit association. Again, we narrowed our selections based on size and found locations that we did not know of.

My event planning went much more smoothly because of this book, and I have loaned it to several friends who have also praised its resources.

The idea of this book is to offer a planning guide for anyone looking at having a pagan handfasting ritual. The author has laid out the basic components of putting together a modern handfasting with all the romantic trimmings.

There is a lot here on tradition and background. The opening of the book gives a good basic overview of handfastings and their historical background. Also further along in the book the author covers are some wedding traditions from various countries.

The author includes a kind of "checklist" for organizing your event. Tips include budgeting, members of the wedding party, family and friends and writing your own commitment.

The ritual part contains two basic rituals, one being pagan, or very general, and the other being "Wiccan" or path specific. The idea is that you take the basics and embellish it to suit your own spiritual or ritualistic needs. Further along in the book there are blessings, poems, and other ideas for these embellishments. Ms. Franklin as even included a "hand parting" ritual.

The balance of the book contains the "embellishments" to add to your handfasting. Covered are various Gods and Goddesses that you may want to include in your ritual along with some background on those discussed. There is also a chapter on picking a date in accordance with phases of the moon, time of day, particular holiday, and specific month or day.

There are "themes" presented for your celebration. Everything from "simple pagan" or "formal Wiccan" to Viking, Roman or culturally based wedding traditions, these basics will give you something to think about and possibly consider adding to your celebration.

There are correspondence tables for woods for brooms, if you are going to include this in your handfasting. There are color correspondences for dresses and clothing, discussion on cords, the veil, rings and a correspondence table for gemstones. There is even a "Victorian Language of the Flowers" list. And of course, there is magical plant lore and some basics on wreaths, bouquets, and incense and oils.

The author includes a section on recipes for cakes and goodies you may want to have at your reception. All include ingredients that have some romantic or magical correspondence. There are some more complex recipes for wines, wine blends and mead which will require varying degrees of skill.

And there is a section on spells and charms; little workings to assure a successful handfasting and future for the bride and groom.

There are samples of handfasting certificates, invitations and some appendices on anniversary gifts and some "Useful Addresses" most of which are in the UK as the author resides there.

The romance indicated in the title is provided by the bride and groom as they leaf through the guide and choose those things that will represent their lives together and prepare a ceremony that will provide meaning to them specifically. The romantic materials are in the handbook for them to reference.

The history and background section is a very good explanation of what a handfasting is all about and where it originated. This can be helpful to the couple when they explain to their family and friends why they are choosing this type of wedding ceremony.

This book is more about making the preparations for a handfasting than about the ritual itself. This is a guide, a resource for the bride and groom to use for planning the extra touches for their special day. Its focus is pagan and Wiccan handfastings, and it does offer many basic ideas which can be built upon by a couple who know what they want and just need something to walk them through the process. The basics are here. The book allows for you to pick and choose from some very extensive tables of extras that can make your handfasting both magical and romantic. This book is a good choice for couples looking for a handfasting resource. boudica

Although I have not read this book, my son who is 15 now (was 13 at the time) LOVES THIS SERIES! And this is saying alot for a boy who does have reading issues and does not like to read!

this book is great for the groom and best man and should be read by all men involved in a wedding. Great insights. Just buy it for $5.

It came a bit slower than I'd have liked, but in time to do what I needed. Thanks

I am definitely glad I purchased this book. While I had a pretty good idea of what I was required to do as the Best Man, this book gave me a lot of helpful hints as well as some good ideas. A lot of people congratulated me on how well a job I did as the best man. This book helped a great deal in being prepared and ready for any possible scenario that may have come up. It is very easy to read and has a great sense of humor.

Having never been married or even been a part of a wedding party before, I was tapped to go to France and be the best man for one of my oldest friends (25 years). This with 3 weeks notice! The book was instrumental in allowing me to successfully perform my function with a minimum of stress. It was an easy read, it was humorous, and it was comprehensive. I could not have done without it. Thank you for the help Mr. Grace.

I bought this book because my fiance was about to be the best man in a wedding. He was nervous because he had no idea what best men do. This book was all he needed. It tells what the best man's duties are to the groom, bride and everyone else. Tells about etiquette and even talks about what to do in specific religious or cultural weddings. What we found even more useful was it's section on speeches and toasts. We had bought a book especially for that, but it wasn't any good. This book explained the do's and don'ts and gave great examples that helped my fiance to write a great speech. (by the way, his speech went beautifully) He got a big laugh from the crowd and an Ahhh. Just what you want. This book is a must have for any groomsmen or Best man.

I bought this book before my own wedding looking for an insightful deconstruction of the modern wedding-industrial complex by someone who went out of her way not to do everything by the book. Although Cohen agonizes along the way about all of the traditions associated with a modern American wedding, she systematically embraces each and every one-- the white dress; the wedding bands; the first dance; the multiple-day wedding with several events; even the prized NY Times "Vows" wedding announcement! What is so unusual about her wedding experience except that she experienced a lot of post-feminist, Ivy League, liberal angst about it? (I say this as a feminist Ivy Leaguer myself). Ultimately, she lacked the courage to be different and the book, on the whole, casts her in a rather unsympathetic and self-centered light.

I bought this book when I was planning my own wedding and wanted to learn more about the various traditional elements of the wedding ceremony. I loved it so much that I gave my sister a copy when she got engaged.

This isn't just another wedding-planning guide, though. It's a book of essays, one woman's view of life from the perspective of a soon-to-be-bride - and it's well worth the read, whether you have a wedding in your future or not. I still re-read it from time to time just because I enjoy the writing so much, and I really wish Ms. Cohen would put out another book.

I am in a situation very simiar to that of the author - in a long-term live-in relationship and we've just decided to get married. This book addresses SO MANY of the things that've been bugging me. For example: many marriages end in divorce, how can we be sure this one will last? In all actuallity, no one really knows, because I'm sure just about everyone who gets married truly believes it will be forever. In reality, people change, and it isn't always possible to be together forever. It helps so much just to know other's have struggled with the same issues.

The only reason I gave it 4/5 is because the book goes off on some weird tangents that didn't flow too well. The transitions weren't smooth and I was confused as to why they were included.

Overall, very good book. I highly recommend it to anyone who is in a similar situation themselves.

A Walk Down the Aisle is a beautiful and powerful book--witty and wise, poignant and moving (but never maudlin), intimate and communal at the same time. Cohen's writing is lyrical and her messages are profound. Above all, her book is incredibly real and authentic in a way that no other book I've read about marriage has been. (Plus I cried all the way through the last chapter, and it was a good, cleansing cry.) I have been married to Jeff for twenty-two years, but Cohen's book led me back down that aisle, and my reflections on "my" day (it was definitely the bride's day for us), on dozens of weddings since, and on my marriage have been fruitful for me. If we were to marry again today, we would do almost everything completely differently. I don't think Kate and Adam will ever need to say that.

When I got married, a well meaning Sunday school teacher from my church gave me a book of "devotional readings for the newly married." Reading it was a miserable experience for me. It created all sorts of guilt and anxiety; there was just no way Jeff and I were ever going to conform to the images of the perfect couples who filled those pages. After a while, I realized that I didn't want to be one of those cardboard cutouts. So Cohen's is the flesh and blood book I'm going to give to all my engaged friends. I encourage you also to read it, share it with your friends and loved ones, and return to it often.

I was absolutely thrilled when I found this book by chance one day and bought it (I almost never buy hardcovers, but...). I have read it twice and frequently pick it up to reread parts of it again. I love the combination of such deeply personal and thoughtful writing with tidbits about the history of the wedding traditions. I find it so inspiring in planning my own wedding and helpful in clarifying exactly what marriage means for people like my fiance and I in today's world. Thank you Kate Cohen for writing this!

This is the second book I have read by this author(Bygones book#1 of the Sommerfield Trilogy, was the first),and I am so impressed with the quality of her writing. She is truly gifted. I could not put this book down until I was finished with it early this morning! Really makes one think about about the plight of the disabled and their families,usually because of the cruelty of some members of society,and how people could truly bless their lives by welcoming them into society, encouraging,and supporting their independence so that they can live as fulfilling lives as possible.

Her storylines and characters are so absorbing I plan to read everything she has written,in fact, her "Waiting For Summer's Return" is next.I am anxiously awaiting the release of her 2nd book in the Sommerfield Trilogy book "Beginnings" in October.

Once I started reading Dear John, I didn't want to stop. Kim Vogel Sawyer is an amazingly gifted story teller. Her characters are compelling and captivating. One of the greatest things I walked away with after reading this story was a deep love, respect and understanding for those with Down syndrome. My heart went out to Marin, whose parents were killed on the way home from her college graduation. Marin not only inherited her father's company but she also became sole caretaker of her down-syndrome brother John. Stressed to the max, she searches for some much needed help. Along comes Philip Wilder; the answer to her prayers. Or was he? Philip has a secret that threatens to send her world crashing in around her. Trust me, this is one story you won't want to miss.

A very useful friendly format. Sensible suggestions. To make the occasion even more special, I used the wedding song in Defenders of the Holy Grail by Agori. The music is available through Elfstone Publishing

Don't let the soft-focus photos and frou-frou design fool you - the author's matter-of-fact tone and frank advice helped me plan a wedding that suited my sensible style. So many of the guides are written like filler for ad pages, but the language of this one kept me entertained throughout the entire planning process. (P.S. Getting hitched went off with barely a hitch!)

Even though I'm not getting married at home, I found this book very useful. I didn't find it a good planner book, but with it's many beautiful pictures it was great for creative ideas. It probably won't be useful if you're getting married at an all inclusive reception site, but if you are getting married at home or somewhere with more freedom, check it out. It's not budget conscious, but I was definately able to incorporate some of the ideas into my wedding by doing-it-myself. I flip through every so often just to see if anything strikes me...so it was definetely worth the purchase. But, if you don't buy it...at least take a peek at the bookstore and see if anything sparks your creativity.

Lovely pictures, and the book does a good job of keeping things diverse and multi-cultural. As some have criticized, the pictures are often of sumptuous, very expensive weddings, however.

The advice is down to earth and useful for anyone. I found several excellent hints for a home ceremony & reception that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.

I bought my copy used for $..., and I think it was well worth it. If you can find a used copy under $20, I recommend it. New at the full price near $...? A waste of money, I think.

The book is a straightforward, down to earth, ideas book. If only there were more of them out there. I found it invaluable as a precursor to preparing for my own wedding recently.

I found the concept of three separate stories by three different authors all centered around the same group of friends in the same setting to be very cool!

These are typical romance mini-novels, where the protagonists stubbornly push each other away because of silly misunderstandings and annoying bickering, with conflicts that could very easily and amicably be resolved with open communication and better dialogue.

I had a hard time maintaining my interest - also I kept having to remind myself that these were contemporary westerns, because they had many elements (particularly male chauvinism) usually found in historicals.

I didn't find this book that bad as far as anthologies go. You don't get an indepth story when you read an anthology. I did enjoy that the characters were carried forward in each of the 3 stories even though written by different authors. I bought the book for the Diana Palmer story but enjoyed the 2nd story (by Ann Major) much more. It was more involved.

I had read all the other books in the Chuck and Rosemarie series, but not this one. It made several things clear that had been puzzling me in the saga. It is a typical Greeley book, and if you like his style, you'll like this book.

Admittedly, the Chucky O'Malley series is not one of my favorites. I found the others to be more entertaining than this one. This novel basically recycles alot of the previous data with precious little new story. Enjoyable, but not the best.

A Christmas Wedding Andrew Greeley

In a Greeley story, usually the romantic part of a novel is mostly about the chase, once married, the couple, while not carefree, lives happily. For example, in a typical Nuala Anne McGrail story the Coynes have problems but they work on them together. In Christmas Wedding the focus is much more on the difficulties of marriage, the strife between man and woman, and the progress toward a more serene and loving partnership.

All of their friends and family accepted that Charles (Chucky) O'Malley and Rosemarie Clancy would fall in love and marry. Most people saw this when Chucky was but a puerile boy. Somehow these two seemed made for each other. Eventually they married while students at the University of Chicago.

The struggles the O'Malleys face are serious. They struggle, among themselves and their loved ones, with: abuse of alcohol, rules of the Catholic Church, child abuse, and threats of scandal. At the same time they grapple with deciding upon a career and beginning to raise a family. The narrative of Charles and Rosemarie's life reveals a marriage that is often archetypal, but always interesting. The manner of Chuck's stumbling ways leads to some humorous situations.

This is a fine story of family life. The O'Malleys, although called the "crazy O'Malleys by those who know them, are an open, accepting, and fun family. They are "crazy" because they are often able to set aside their inhibitions, reach out to other people, and entertain those they encounter.

I recommend this novel because of its open view of family life. I like Greeley's ability to portray marriage and family life as a beautiful state in life. Greeley sees marriage as truly Christian and sacramental.

Second Springtime was my first initian into Greeley's novels and the Saga of Chucky O'Malley. Thus, I was inticed to return to the beginning of the Saga with Younger Than Springtime. I couldn't wait to read Christmas Wedding to find out what happened between Chucky and Rosemarie. I personally think it is the best of the the Saga as it highlights the magnaminous character of the hero Chucky in taking on Rosemarie for his wife, an enormous risk with explosive reactions. I think this book of Greeley's illustrates the true committment in a loving relationship for "better or for worse" in the truest sense of the vows. Once a couple really live this commitment they can then enjoy the fruits of a true lasting love that Greeley follows up in September Song. A definite read for those involved in a lasting relationship!

I think that this is the most poorly written book that I have ever read. A mixture of Chatechism, (romantic) handbook, and U.S. history with some Forest Gump thrown in. I kept trying to figure out how a kid could graduate from High School, serve time in the Army at the end of WW2 and get a college degree by the time he was 22. It took him a couple of more years to win a Pullitzer. If you like REALLY light reading you MAY enjoy this.