Editorial Review

The Ultimate Wedding Planner & Organizer 2nd Edition features a beautifully redesigned look. A scrapbook starter kit is also provided so the bride can use her planner as a keepsake long after her wedding is over.
This planner combines expert wedding-planning tools and information within a convenient three-ring binder so it can be customized to the unique needs of the individual bride. The book includes over 150 comparison charts, checklists, timelines, and budget analysis worksheets to help the bride plan the entire wedding.
In addition to all the information necessary for planning a successful wedding, this book contains 6 dividers and 12 pockets for the bride to store important documents such as brochures, reservation confirmations, contracts, receipts, and much more. Other handy organizational tools include business card holders, a three-hole punch, a graph paper notepad, and wedding-planning calendar.
Includes: Comprehensive wedding planner with wedding etiquette, tips, things to consider, price ranges, options, and more
* 12-month planning calendar

* 6 2-pocket dividers

* Over 100 worksheets

* Graph paper

* Business card holder

* Resealable plastic pouch for storing fabric swatches, receipts, pens, and more
FREE tote bag included inside! ... Read more

Editorial Review

With over 50,000 copies sold of the original edition, A Bride's Book has been a best-selling resource for brides-to-be since 2001, offering floral designer and wedding planner Marsha Heckman's expert guidance on everything from the engagement to the post-honeymoon thank-you notes. Now Heckamn has returned with a revised, redesigned, and updated edition for the modern bride. It includes seven gorgeous new wedding bouquet tabs with complete how-to instructiuons, along with a new cover design.

Lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs by Richard Jung from Marsha Heckman's best-selling book Bouquets: A Year of Flowers for the Bride, A Bride's Book is both a hardworking wedding planner and a personal journal. The book is filled with tips for the bride, wedding traditions, and marriage customs. Spiral bound to open flat, with an elastic closure and an inside pocket, A Bride's Book is organized into six sections with fill-in space and prompts to help keep the busy bride organized: "To Do," "Calendar," "Wedding Party," "Key People," "Guests," and "Journal & Keepsake." ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Great for overall planning, not just saving money., October 25, 2002
I just got engaged a few months ago, and another bride-to-be recommended this book. I've already found it to be extremely helpful in my planning, as the book thoroughly reviews your options for various aspects of the wedding such as bride/bridesmaids dresses, invitations, photography, etc. I particularly liked the lists of suggested questions for vendors--when I emailed one photographer with some of the questions in the book, he wrote back and said "you couldn't have asked better questions if I had given them to you myself!" I've actually found the book to be less helpful in the area of saving money. This might be partly due to the fact that we're having a pretty small wedding--we only expect about 40 guests to attend, and we're not having a bridal party. Another minor negative is that when I tried some of the websites in the book, the URLs were no longer valid; although they talked about use of the internet in planning quite a bit, I wish they had addressed this area even more, especially use of email to get information from potential vendors. Overall, however, this is a great book that you definitely will use frequently in your planning--I find myself referring to my copy again and again.

This book was my bible. . ., December 6, 2000
I used the 4th edition to plan my wedding last year, and was able to save a considerable amount of money. To be honest, I was amazed to find several negative reviews stating the book was "tacky" and "paranoid". Everytime one of my friends becomes engaged I send a copy to them as an engagement gift, and they all love it too. By following most of the Fields advice, we had the wedding we wanted for a reasonable price. Most of the scams they discuss I encountered. Such as the charge to cut a cake if you don't use the caterers baker. They are especially on target about Bridal shops. After spending over $1,400.00 for my dress, shoes, veil, and alterations, the repairs that the shop assured me would be made to my dress, were never made. Even though I had provided them with a detailed list of needed repairs and writing a letter to the shop manager expressing my concern that these repairs would not be done. I had to spend the day before my wedding back at the the bridal shop,and stand there and watch to make sure the repairs were done. Their advice on saving money on the reception was fabulous. We found a site that allowed us to provide our own alochol and only pay for the bartender. Our total bill for champagne, wine, and beer was only $350.00.

The unfortunate reality of the bridal industry is there are plenty of vendors who will rip you off, and they provide you with the advice and know how to avoid bad vendors and their scams.

Great Wedding Budget Planner, August 20, 2000
As the Best Man of my friend's wedding, I referred to this book in a zillion occasions for practical advice. From the wedding count-down clock to ceremony etiquette to wedding apparels and catering and limousines, this book has got it all! You might not need everything covered in this guide yet it will be very useful for almost every aspect of your wedding. I personally find the sections on reception sites and catering particularly interesting and useful. The book provides a lot of hand-on tips that are not usually commonly known. Ever wondered about a dessert reception instead of a traditional 2-entree banquet? What about a wedding being held at a local university faculty club that offers in-site catering? This is the one book that you will have to keep your fingers on throughout wedding planning. The newest edition of this book will come out this fall, yet don't worry about the up-to-date figures and costs. Focus on the variables that will directly affect the cost of your Big Day. Each topic features a section of questions to ask the service provider (i.e. florist, entertainer, DJ, caterer, reception site...) If you really want to make the most of your budget, read this book carefully and read over again.

Great for the not-so-fouffy bride, February 12, 1997
I'm not your typical BRIDE magazine reader. I live in Las Vegas, and I would have been happy to get married at the drive-thru wedding chapel on the back of my fiance's motorcycle. Believe it or not, HE wanted a regular wedding back east, and I agreed. Having heard just enough about the shark-infested waters of the bridal industry to fill me with dread, I was very unwilling to be its victim. This book made me feel much more confident in my ability to defend myself against the rip-offs. It saved me a lot of wasted time trying to figure out (probably unsuccessfully) how to find the best bargains myself. I knew what to expect and was able to decide which items or services I felt were worth the money. I am actually starting to enjoy the whole wedding planning process thanks to this book. It was the only wedding book I found with realistic money saving advice besides the blatantly obvious suggestions like "make your own decorations." This book is to weddings what Consumer Reports' dealer cost reports are to car buying. Buy it

The most important book for planning your wedding!, June 26, 2001
I absolutely love this book! I'm one of those lucky people that has to pay for a majority of my wedding - this book has been my bible - not just for finding bargains and insider tips on everything from gowns to caterers to DJ's, but also just for basic planning and practical advice. This book, in addition the the authors' website... are really all you'll need to plan your wedding. With so many new websites popping up on wedding services, this book sorts out the good from the bad, saving you time and frustration. The author's write as if they are your good friends - and no offense, but no maid-of-honor could ever be this helpful or knowledgable! They've gone undercover to unmask the ugly side of the bridal industry, while still being optimistic about brides finding good quality service at great prices. Even if you're not bargain hunting, you should get this book for it's great lists of important questions to ask any service provider. And if you ARE bargain shopping, you need this book for sure. Older editions may be available at your library, but to be really useful (especially with updated web advice) you need the latest edition. Take it from me - I found my wedding gown, brand new and BEAUTIFUL for $152.00 including tax - in MY size, no alterations needed, and I brought it home the same day I paid for it! My Veil was only $18.00! I'm finding that I can do many things myself - this adds not only a personal touch, but it's exactly what I want at great prices. I can't reccomend it enough and from what I read, other brides feel the same. Buy this book!

Your Wedding: Make It Real -- Make it Affordable, July 23, 2004
My personal favorite tip from Bridal Bargains? Either make your own veil (buy a do-it-yourself book and fabric at WalMart or Michael's) or have your seamstress save material and make one. You save up to $200.

Inside Bridal Bargains:
From front cover to back cover (literally), this book delivers.

My original idea for this review was to include the table of contents with a short summary, however, the table of contents takes up six pages, and we just do not have that luxury. Instead, I will focus on the chapters.

The idea of this book is to teach brides (this book's target reader) to find bargains without cheapening their wedding, honeymoon or reception.

There are sections in this book that hit every aspect of your wedding:

engagement
bridal shower
wedding ceremony
wedding reception
honeymoon
Canadian bridal bargains

When you are finished reading this book (are you ever really finished?), you will be engrossed in their Seven Keys to Planning an Affordable Wedding:

1 - fighting the trends magazines and overpriced bridal saloons subject us to

2 - using the Internet for all it's worth

3 - making a deal they can't refuse (especially when you get them in writing; see number four)

4 - get everything in writing or else

5 - planning in advance (this says it all, or so you think, this book tells you how much is too far in advance as well as reminding you to not wait for the last moment)

6 - research (we and they cannot say enough about this

7 - unleashing and using your creative genius

(all this and we are not even on page one yet!)

Chapter One:
Introduction
Eleven pages delving into the author's, the goals of the book, your bridal clock time, and what is new in this particular edition.

Chapter Two:
Your Wedding
Exhausting is the best word for this almost one-hundred page chapter. Not in a bad way, it's just -- there is a TON of information to learn! This chapter seems to be most about wedding gowns than anything else. Includes advice on wedding gown scams, where to buy good gowns at better prices, information about mark ups, factory wedding gowns, catalog gowns, bridal outlets, money saving secrets, tag ripping, using your credit card, questions to ask before you buy, oversizing, bridal magazines and oh so much more! Best reason for this chapter? It highlights in detail the top forty bridal designers.

Chapter Three:
Apparel For the Wedding Party
And you thought we were finished with apparel, right? Basically, the same information as above, except this chapter focuses on the bridesmaids dresses and the tuxedos. I had no idea the groom often got his tuxedo rental free.

Chapter Four:
Ceremony Sites
Differences between civil ceremony and religious ceremonies may just be biggest in your wallet. Chapter four discusses it all, including offering just the right questions to ask when selecting an officiant.

Chapter Five:
Wedding Flowers
Whoever thought there was enough information on flowers to warrant its own chapter? Includes not only seventeen money-savers, but also a spotlight on flower types and colors and a floral dictionary.

Chapter Six:
Invitations
Invitations are the scariest part, once you pay "an arm and a leg" for printing, you cannot undo it (well, you can, but...). According to the Field's, though, you won't have to pay as much if you do your research and plan ahead.

Chapter Seven:
Reception Sites
Places you wouldn't imagine might be the perfect place for your wedding reception and at the perfect price, as well.

Chapter Eight:
Catering
Meals and deals. Caterer or loving family member? Should you save by using plastic? Frozen food? Wholesale clubs and alcohol. Also; includes alternatives to consuming alcohol.

Chapter Nine:
Photography
Drink up this chapters thirty pages worth of photograpy pitfalls and disasters, money-saving hints, camera and film information, blurred shot tricks and more.

Chapter Ten:
Cakes
Even the chapter is yummy. I love the part that told me I could actually request samples of the cake. I had no idea! Anyway, this chapter is excellent and important. Tip: Buy a simple plain white cake and spruce it up with inexpensive fresh flowers.

Chapter Eleven:
Wedding Videos
Huh? I was surprised this wasn't included in the photography chapter, but then I saw how much was in each chapter and realized, there's no room to combine them. Do you need photos and videos? In my opinion, there are two things I plan to spend the most money on, in order to get the best results: pictures and rings. Why? You have to wear your ring for the rest of your life, you may as well love it. And pictures, well, you can never repeat this day and pictures are what you need to share and relive your wedding over and over again.

Chapter Twelve:
Entertainment
I had to crack up when I read one of the subchapters within this chapter: Milli Vanilli Demo Tapes and 4 More Pitfalls. I laugh because I actually understand what it means without having read it. Anyway, wonderful entertainment ideas and money-saving strategies. DJ or musicians? Why avoid December? Do you need an agent? The chapter answers all your entertainment questions.

Chapter Thirteen:
Etcetera
Everything they did not touch on before is here. Rings (tip: buy white gold over platinum; not only is it less expensive, but it's more durable, as well), limosines, insurance, changing your name...

Chapter Fourteen:
Canada
This should speak for itself. While I would not buy this book for this lone chapter, it's still great advice. And what a surprise to me -- an American -- to read about Canada's lack of bridal bargains! Does include Canadian websites and catalogs.

Chapter Fifteen:
Last Minute Consumer Tips
Surviving wedding day emergencies. This chapter should have been read before I was a matron of honor, it would have saved us all time and energy. The authors wisely suggest having a "surrogate bad cop." Someone who will have a list or copy of everything that can go wrong on your special day and how to handle any crisis that should come up (and they will).

Chapter Sixteen:
Conclusion
Naturally, this chapter ties it all together; "After reading through all the tips and advice in this book, your first thought may be 'Let's elope!'" Told you, even the authors know it's overwhelming. But then again, this is one of the most special times of your life. Let it overwhelm.

Bridal Bargain Tips:
Tips are spread like disease throughout the book. For instance, the authors share what previous readers wrote in on certain wedding/bridal scams.

Did you know some hotel waiters would carry around an appetizer tray for the wedding guests, and when the tray was half emptied, they would take the leftover food to the employee's lounge? And of course, the couple was charged for full trays.

Wait! There's more...
Not only is every website mentioned in the book conveniently listed in the back of the book, but a tear-out check list of questions to included.

What's On the Website?

Free Newsletter:
Bridal Bargains is full of pleasant surprises, but one of my favorite's is their free newsletter. That means, though you finished the book, you are not finished with the bridal bargains.

Free book updates
New bargains
Great ideas
Links to other great sites



Go to www.BridalBargainsBook.com
Click on free newsletter
Type in your email address

Last Word:
Though after reading the extensive first chapter, I feel no need to buy a bridal dress book, the Field's also have a few other wonderful books for sale.

Your New House: the alert consumer's guide to buying and building a quality home

Baby Bargains: secrets to saving 20% to 50% on baby furniture, equipment, clothes, toys, maternity wear and much, much, much more!

The Bridal Gown Guide

I give this as a gift to every engaged couple!, June 16, 2005
When I started reading this book, I had to get out post-its to mark all the fantastic information I was getting from each page. The stuff on the bridal boutique industry, how it works, why you pay what you pay, what David's Bridal is really like, how to maximize your dollar, etc. is worth it alone. This was the first really good introduction I got to the industry, and it made me understand a lot of why things work like they do.

I basically marked every other page because this book had so much useful info. This is invaluable. Other bargain books might say, "oh, hire a photo student to do your pics and have your friend do arrangements." Well, both of those courses of action are RIPE for disappointment, hard feelings, etc. This is the FIRST bridal book I have seen that seriously talks about doing it right, doing it well, and doing it for a reasonable cost.

One great tip I got was that "wedding" packages often cost more, so price your food as a "party" or "reunion" to see if the price is lower than what vendors what to scam a princess's Daddy out of paying.

The authors also have a great website where more links and information are available.

Do not try to plan your wedding without this book!

Don't plan a wedding without it!, February 2, 2002
After becoming engaged, I, like most prospective brides, bought several "wedding" books. After reading the others (or, in most cases, perusing the glossy photos of zillion-dollar dresses, cakes, flowers, etc...) I put them on a shelf where they have gathered dust (hey, a wedding planning bride doesn't have THAT much time for dusting, does she?) Not so with Bridal Bargains! My copy is dog-eared, highlighted, and liberally stuffed with post-it notes. No one else in those magazines and websites devoted to weddings will tell you the real dirt that you need to know to navigate the deceptive practices in this business. (They know which side their bread is buttered on, after all). Ladies, this book will save you money, but more importantly it will give you confidence in your knowledge, and that's no small thing since most of us have never planned a wedding before. Good luck!

A must, no matter the budget, January 12, 2000
No matter how much money you have, if you do not enjoy getting screwed over by evil shopkeepers and devious consultants, buy this book. I am constantly surprised at how people will try to fleece brides, with the thought, "Well, she's only getting married once, it's not like I have to keep her as a customer!" Stories in this book will scare you with tales of lost money, missing dresses, and deception worthy of international spies! But even better than just informing you as to how you can identify a scam when you see it, this book gives you weapons to combat the scam-artists!

This book takes time to rate the big bridal gown makers (as does its excellent "sequel," also by the Fields, on finding a quality bridal gown), tell you about ways to check out your florist, etc.

It also provides money saving ideas which are invaluable and numerous. Comes with a money-back guarantee, which should speak volumes for the helpfulness of the book.

Get this book and save yourself money, time, and tears.

This is THE book you MUST get, October 3, 2002
I highly recommend this book. Unlike the Knot's Complete Guide, it doesn't assume you have all the money and time in the world. And unlike 1001 Ways to Save Money, it doesn't merely give you a list of ideas. What Bridal Bargains does is show you how to save money, gives you lots of ideas, and then tells you what to do and where to go to turn those ideas into reality. There are TONS of ideas for ceremony and reception sites, and tips on dealing with vendors of all types. There are a lot of websites featured. They review all the major designers and vendors, and there are some excellent tips on how to find the perfect dress. DO NOT do what I did - I bought all the books referenced above, and found out that most were worthless. Only get this one. BTW, this book paid for itself within two weeks - I found a tiara I loved in a bridal shop for $200 and this book told me where to look for a less expensive one - so I used their suggestion and found an almost identical tiara for $43! I have several more exapmles of how I saved money and frustration by following this book, but that was the first! ... Read more

Editorial Review

What I Love About You offers a fresh way to say "I love you."

This fill-in-the-blank book prompts you to say what is in your heart, but may not always be at the tip of your tongue. Tell the most important person in your life just how much they mean to you by completing the scores of unique, evocative checklists, short answers, and phrases in this attractive gift book:

If we'd first met in a comic strip, the thought bubble over my head would have said...
I adore this little daily ritual or habit we have...
One of your most irresistible physical features is...
I missed you when...

Playful, tender, and personal, this is the perfect gift for the person in your life who makes your pulse race. ... Read more

Reviews

Five Hearts Rating!, January 14, 2007
I read once that if you don't tell your wife you love her, someone else will. I laughed. You don't have to be a diehard romantic to give this book. I'm a tongue tied procrastinator when it comes to expressing love. So I got this book this week because it actually looks fun to do. Great questions, checklists and fill-in-the-blanks are leading me through putting into words what I love about my wife. You know, before someone else does. Ha.

Kinda cute, February 21, 2007
I gave this to my bf for V-day this year and he really enjoyed reading though it. It took me over 3 hours to fill it out b/c you have to think of stories, memories, etc from your relationship. I've been dating him for a year and a half, but I think this book is more geared toward those who have been in a relationship longer or are married.

Lovey Dovey-not our thing, August 28, 2008
This book is only any good if you and your partner are super lovey dovey and sugary sweet. I bought it for my husband for our 1st wedding anniversary and I struggled through the first 20 pages or so and then it got so ridiculous that I just gave up. I told my husband about it, read off a few of the questions, and he agreed that it was pretty darn stupid. It was supposed to be super sweet since for our very first anniversary I bought us the book All About Us and we loved it. I wanted to follow up with What I Love About You, and I do love my husband very much, but I don't know what kind of fruit he would be.

What I Love About You, August 2, 2007
The book was a great idea for my husband on our first anniversary. It took a while to fill the book out but, it was easy to fill out. He loved reading through the book.

Absolutely Adorable!, January 19, 2007
Fabulous. Creative and clever questions that are both easy to answer and make you look good! A mix of fun and sweet pages. That together with the book's adorable design and this is one heck of a gift for someone special!

Great Book, May 25, 2009
I gave this to my husband last September for our 5th wedding anniversary and he loved it! To this day, he still likes to take it out and read it. I'll admit, it took me a few days to finish this... there are some questions that I had to think about and go back to complete. The questions are interesting and it makes the book fun to read. I recommend it.

Wonderful little keepsake!, May 14, 2008
This book is so cute! I filled one out and gave it to my husband when he got back from his 3rd deployment to Iraq, and he loved it :o). The book helps ask questions and provokes ideas that aren't always right at the tip of your tongue when you want something meaningful to say. AND it was so fun to fill out, I love it!

Very Romantic!, April 22, 2008
If you need something really sweet for a special occasion or just as a random 'thinking of you' type gift this really is a great choice. I got this for my boyfriend and he absolutely adores it. The content really makes your significant other feel good and know how much they are loved.

VERY Romantic gift idea!!!, January 13, 2008
I bought this book for my boyfriend for our first Valentine's day together--he was very touched and he was very excited to read it. He even ordered me a book so he can fill it out for me! It was so much fun filling in this book. At the time we had only been dating for 5 months--there are questions that can be answered for any relationship length, although some of the q's were not really applicable for us at that time. Questions ranged from 'how did we meet?' to fun things like writing down their name and coming up w/a word for each letter in their name. I really like being able to pick up this book and re-read what I wrote. It brings back a lot of memories!! Definitely a must-buy for a great gift!! It doesn't get much more personal than this--and what a keepsake!! I am thinking about buying another one of these again for a gift for him because I don't want to modify the first book I filled in.

Great Romantic Gift, December 11, 2008
I received this book from my wife for our first anniversary and thought it was great! I found it to be a truly loving and romantic gesture. The thoughtfulness that this book invokes is sure to bring a smile to anyone who receives it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Announcing the wedding bible: the most complete, lively, handholding, step-by-step guide to help every couple have a perfect wedding—no matter their budget, taste, or personalities. More than 2.2 million North American couples tie the knot each year; until now, only a mere fraction could work with celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss. But the significant fact is not Ms. Weiss's clientele, but the reason for it: She's so very good at what she does. And now she shares all of her hard-won experience, wisdom, inspiration, and style tips.

The Wedding Book covers everything, in a voice filled with understanding: announcing the engagement, and what to do when someone isn't happy about the news; creating a budget; the pros and cons of destination weddings. Drawing up the guest list; planning the ceremony (and how to personalize your vows); menus to inspire; contracts and wedding insurance. Shopping for the dress, six great hairstyles, tuxedo vs. dinner jacket, the etiquette of invitations. Style tips for flowers, the tabletop, linens; a cake that says "you"; the crucial "Sixty Days Until I Do"; rehearsal dinner strategies; plus freezing the cake and preserving the bouquet.

Today the average cost of a wedding is $25,000—at $19.95, The Wedding Book is the smartest investment a bride-to-be could make. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This attractively designed, user-friendly, and elegant volume invites readers to record the stories and moments of the romance of a lifetime through 100 simple, yet poignant, prompts. ... Read more

Reviews

A beautiful record of their time together., November 1, 1999
My friend's husband died 6 months ago. This book has been her grief companion, as she puts on paper the many memories they had created together. It means a lot to her to have this record of their love. In moments when she misses him, she reads some of the stories she's recorded and feels him close again.

Great if you use it correctly, April 17, 2002
I bought this book as a birthday gift for my fiance. We have been together over 2 years and are getting married in about 100 days.

I thought that this book would be very sweet if I filled out everything up to the wedding/marriage part. However, I think that this book might be a bit hokey if just bought and given to someone blank. However, if you're willing to start filling it out, it gives your companion an interesting way to look at memories and will encourage him/her to fill it out further.

I would not suggest getting this book if you are only dating or if you are newly dating: it defines and confines your relationship too much. But this is a great book if you are a couple who are not always together. My fiance lives in England, and we often enjoy sharing memories of our courtship, our vacations, etc. This is a perfect way for your partner to hear your voice and cherish memories when he/she is alone, or when you are unavailable.

A good gift for someone/a couple who is romantic, nostalgic, and interested in a little project or creativity.

Lovely wedding or wedding shower gift., February 19, 1999
I have several friends getting married this Spring so I've been looking for inexpensive yet nice, thoughtful gifts. This book really fits the bill. I'm buying one for all the showers I'm going to. It's a wonderful way to show your support for the couple's future together. It's a lovely, touching book that shows you care.

old timers, October 25, 2004
Our grown children gave us this book on our 50th wedding anniversary. It seems they want to know the secret to staying happily married for so many years! One thing we've always tried to do is remember our blessings. Filling out this journal helped us express our appreciation of each other inspite of, or maybe because of, the rocky times. If our 50 years teach our kids something about a lasting marriage, that feels good too. Thanks, kids!

Great Valentines or Anniversary Gift!, January 7, 1999
This is great! I was looking for something unique for my husband for our upcoming Anniversary (on Valentines Day). I wanted to do something more than a box of chocolates. I can't wait to present my beloved with this nice-looking journal, all filled out with the many wonderful memories and stories of our courtship, wedding, early years and now middle years together. The prompts on each page really helped get my memories flowing, so it was easy to fill out. What a great way to say I LOVE YOU!

A gift of love for my husband, January 1, 1999
I'm excited about this journal. I'm filling it out as a special surprise gift for my husband for Valentine's Day. After 25 years of marriage, I wanted something more unique than chocolate to give him. This book is really helping me express my love for him by creating a collection of our memories, from when we first met, dating, the wedding, our early marriage years and now our middle years. This book makes it easy to do. Thanks to the authors of this great little book!

If you're buying this, you know what you're in for..., February 14, 2005
It'll be fun to look back at it in 40 years, but it's important to realize that you're being confined to a set of specific questions/topics. They're widely varied, and not all of them may apply to you.

Perhaps the most important thing to realize is that you're going to be forc.. errr... strongly encouraged by your wife to define your relationship in 20-hand-written-line increments, one page at a time.

It's hopelessly romantic, but all-in-all a fun thing to look at later on.

Book Of Us Review, November 9, 2006
I bought this for my husband for our 10th anniversary and he loved it! I had completed the entire book before I gave it to him and it is a great thing to pass on to your kids.
I also bought one for my parents to fill out. They have been married for 42 years and are having a BLAST filling it out together!

A Happy Valentines Day., March 9, 2008
I bought this for my boyfriend and I for Valentines day this year. I filled out all the parts I possibly could, and when I gave it to him I told him once we're on our way through getting married, we'll fill the rest out together.
He loved it, it's a very sentimental gift and it's PERFECT to keep track of your growth together as a couple.
I strongly suggest getting this if you're already married, or if you're with someone you know you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Great gift, July 29, 2007
My husband bought this for me, I just love it. It is broken up by sections, dating, wedding, first year of marriage, middle years, later years. I think its such a neat way to keep track of things that go on in your relationship. We will have it for years to come and our grandkids can read funny stories that we would have otherwise forgotten.
It is a very thoughtful wedding/shower or anniversary gift. ... Read more

Editorial Review

For decades, bookstore childcare sections were dominated by books for women that is, until Quirk's Baby Owner's Manual offered a fun and refreshing alternative for male readers. Now we're crashing the wedding section with The Groom's Instruction Manual, an irreverent guide to everything guys need to know about:

Getting Engaged (popping the question, finding a ring)
Wedding Planning (choosing a location, drafting a guest list)
The Big Day (rehearsal dinners, toasts, what to do if you start crying)
Post-Wedding (honeymooning, thank-you notes, newlywedding)
And much more

Illustrated in the award-winning visual style that has made our Owner's Manual series a smash success, The Groom's Instruction Manual is the perfect shower gift for (engaged) men of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews

A must for any groom, January 11, 2009
This book is more than just a good humor gift. There is honest advice in this book that I as a typical groom never would have anticipated. I am just under 100 days away from my wedding, and I can honestly say this book has given me irreplaceable advice. Without it, I would probably be mad by now. ;)

I wish I had acquired and read this book *before* we became so involved in wedding planning. There is a lot of great stuff in here about the proposal and early engagement process (namely the guest list) that would have been infinitely more useful to me at the beginning of my engagement. Nonetheless, this is a great book. If you've just recently popped the question, or are even thinking of popping the question, GET THIS BOOK. It is money well spent.

Great Book, March 28, 2008
This is a great book. It's funny, so it can be a gag gift, but it also has some helpful information. I got it for my fiance and he's been dutifully reading it and seemingly enjoying it. He seems to be particularly interested in the section about who is this financee and what happened to the woman I love. I like the part where it tells him that his finacee is always right.
The one drawback...the opening section is on proposing, and it would have been a bit forward to give it to him before he proposed.

I bought three!, May 4, 2008
I orignially got this for my fiance but I started reading it before I saw him and I had to finish it. I bought another 2 for my co-workers who will be getting married soon as well. It's a fun book and it talks about things that as a bride I wouldn't necessarily have thought of.

Great for brides, too!, August 14, 2009
Anyone who is about to undergo the uniquely painful/wonderful process of planning a wedding will appreciate this witty and useful guide to all things nuptial. It may have been written with grooms in mind (the funny drawings and diagrams are particularly dude-oriented), but its non-nonsense, humorous approach to everything from inlaw drama to seating charts makes it a perfect gift for brides and attendants, too.

Beyond surviving!, February 13, 2008
This book by Shandon Fowler is not only humorous but it is a first rate guide to good manners & social customs which are often ignored or unknown until they have caused conflict in the wedding events!! The groom's life will be much better & he will survive marriage as well!! Knowing how differently men & women approach events & life issues is half the battle! A must read!

Hilariously Informative, January 20, 2008
I received this book as an engagement gift and wish I had bought it two years ago. This book touches on everything from buying the perfect ring to dealing with mother in laws. It adds a humorous narrative of the journey into marriage. A must-have for any groom-to-be or any bloke who has suddenly found himself madly in love. Whether you are just thinking about proposing or already planning a wedding, you need this book.
-NF

Fantastic book., August 8, 2010
There's not many books out there for the guys when it comes to weddings. This book has humor, to keep you guys reading. It's not boring with tons of wedding nitty-gritty details. Definitely the first, and only, book that I was able to convince my guy to read about weddings. And for the ladies, there's a great counterpart to this book called The Bride Instructional Manual: How to Survive and Possibly Even Enjoy the Biggest Day in Your Life (Instruction Manual). I purchased both and we read them both together. The only thing I really didn't care for (nor did my fiance) was that it insists, several times, that the bride is always right... which, as much as the bride DOES want to be always right, it's not true.

Great!, October 21, 2009
I bought and the Bride's guide as an Engagement Party gift so I can't speak about the content of the books themselves. However, I can say that after flipping through them, I was very happy with the purchase. It's a soft cover book but the paper itself looks like it's quality paper ... the book includes color pictures and diagrams ... i just love this book. I think when my time comes to get married, I will want this series of books for myself and my husband-to-be :) ... Read more

Editorial Review

From the author of The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World, a thoroughly modern, must-have workbook to help you pull off the perfect wedding.

With so many nerve-wracking details to tend to, planning the perfect wedding can seem an impossible task. Now The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner guides you step-by-step through the countless stages of planning your big day. Packed with easy-to-follow checklists and worksheets, and the hip, insightful wisdom that has made theknot.com an indispensable resource for millions of couples worldwide, The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner provides:

A one-year calendar with monthly and weekly to-do lists leading up to the moment of marriage
Worksheets to help you:

Organize the attendants, the guest list, and the invitations��������
Design the ceremony--from the site and officiant to the dress
Arrange the reception--from the cake and caterer to the music and the photographer

Checklists to keep track of finances, contracts, and post-marriage legalities
Money-saving tips and answers to Frequently Asked Questions
... Read more

Reviews

An enticing and grounding companion for the journey, September 17, 2007
If you're mindful of how today's extreme pull on your time leaves little room for nurturing a creative life, this book offers a very grounded and realistic way in which to cultivate one. And it shows you how to do it in a way that's methodical, possible, and simple. As you reflect on the author's suggestions, you'll find yourself observing inwardly and outwardly and asking yourself more centered, elegant questions about your life's images and symbols. Susan Tiberghien's book allows those of us with only slivers, not swathes, of time to become full travelers on the inner safari. This is a book that offers a writing process of effective 10-minute sound bytes rather than a list of commands requiring an afternoon. What's more, it's just plain FUN without the feel of heavy lifting. I found myself wanting to go deeper and find the center when I tried focusing on only one image in the journal entry exercises. This is a book about mindfulness as much as it is about writing. Much praise and thanks for this book that makes writing so doable!

A great book, April 7, 2008
This is a wonderful book. I have been using One Year to a Writing Life as a textbook this semester in my Creative Writing course. The book is very well conceived so my syllabus follows the twelve lessons, week by week, with extra weeks for longer in-class writing. The book provides clear guidance, great examples and it inspires! It inspires me to both teach and write and it inspires my students. Before I chose One Year to a Writing Life as a textbook for my class, I surveyed many texts that are on the market and not a single one comes close to this great book. Thank you, Ms. Tiberghien, for helping all of us who write and who teach writing. Jelena S. Bankovic, Ph.D.
Professor of English, Oakton College, Illinois

It Got My Essay Accepted, February 8, 2009

I had been working on a personal essay for a couple of weeks. As I rewrote it, I used the chapter on personal essays in One Year to a Writing Life as a check list, and saw my essay becoming richer as a result.

I submitted the essay to a publication whose submission information said they would take 4 - 6 weeks to get back to me. They accepted it within 12 minutes of receiving it!

I will be recommending this to my writers' group members.

As informed and informative, as it is inspired and inspiring, January 6, 2008
Susan M. Tiberghien draws upon her years of experience and expertise as a veteran writing instructor, writers' conference speaker, and graduate school lecturer in "One Year To A Writing Life: Twelve Lessons To Deepen Every Writer's Art And Craft". A gifted writer in her own right, Susan Tiberghien covers journal writing, personal essays; opinion and travel essays; short stories (included the 'Short-Short'); dreams and writing; dialogue; folklore, fairy tales, and contemporary tales; poetic prose and the 'Prose Poem'; memoirs and biography; rewriting; and more. Of special note are her chapters on 'The alchemy of Imagination' and 'Writing the Way Home'. Enhanced with a specialized bibliographies and a comprehensive index, " One Year To A Writing Life" is as informed and informative, as it is inspired and inspiring -- making it strongly recommended reading for all novice writers and aspiring authors.

The Writing Life of a Writers' Group, July 3, 2008
For the last seven months, since I suggested our writers' group work, learn & write our way through Susan Tiberghien's One Year To A Writing Life, our group's commitment has solidified with each chapter of her book. Each bi-weekly meeting finds the six of us (writers, poets, academics)gathered to read & review our exercises from each chapter, copies for all and with reference to Tiberghien's "text". Recently, as a response to the growth in our writing and our awareness of that growth, we have re-committed to returning to particular chapters so that we may explore them once more in even greater depth, based on both the pleasure of the process and our personal learnings as writers. As the convener of our group, I would suggest a group approach to One Year To A Writing Life is an ideal
process to apply to Susan Tiberghien's wise & illuminating guidance.

Deep Writing in Twelve Lessons, September 22, 2007
Tiberghien's new book on the writing life is a must read for all writers, at any stage of writing, embracing the Creative Mosaic in both our life experience of dreams, journals, prose poems, memoirs and envisioned by noted published literary ones. The richness and thoughtful spirit of these twelve lessons is inspiring and meaningful as any mentor could recite prayers of meditative instruction. I have been a student of
Tiberghien's workshops; here's the five-star creme de creme.

java rose

A Treasure Trove for All Levels of Writers, July 13, 2010
This is the best book I've read yet on writing instruction. And I've read a lot of them. She has basically put a writing course in a book and filled it with terrific lessons and excellent examples, not just platitudes and feel-good statements about how you too will be a writer in ten easy steps!

I felt as I read through it that I will actually get somewhere with my writing. I'm not saying that I thought I'd magically become a published author at the end of a year. Instead, I felt like I knew what she was talking about in her instructions because of the clear descriptions backed up by great examples.

A huge plus in the book is that she covers so many different types of writing working through journal writing, personal essays, opinion and travel essays, short stories and the short-short, dreams and writing, dialogue, folk, fairy and contemporary tales, poetic prose and the prose poem, and memoir. She includes checklists for rewriting and editing. It is a treasure trove for beginning writers as well as experienced writers.

I read this book straight through for a couple of different reasons. I had already begun it earlier and gotten bogged down by the first drawing exercise and decided to make it part of my 50 books for 2010 so that I would never get back to it again because I believed this book had much to offer that I'd never find if allowed to sit on a shelf. Also, I wanted to try something new with this particular instructional book and not just begin with instructions. I wanted to try blasting through the work and see what it had to offer before doing the work and I discovered that I may try that from now on. Seeing how much great stuff lies ahead, I cannot wait to go back and dive into my writing actually utilizing her techniques. (Though I admit that the drawing exercises may still bog me down!)

Sensational writing tool, August 29, 2008
Don't have time to write a long review. This book is well worth the money. Best writing book I have bought since "Writing Down the Bones" over 20 years ago.

Useful, A Little New-Agey, January 11, 2010
Our writers' group used this book and found it very helpful. I personally found many parts very useful in defining different types of writing, offering exercises, suggestions, etc. My only misgiving about the book is it got kind of weird on me sometimes. I don't know how better to explain it other than to say perhaps it was a bit new-Agey or other-worldy in parts. I haven't read any similar texts, so I can't reall compare it to anything else.

Excellent Tool, November 2, 2008
In my opinion this is one of the best books of its kind. If you use the excellent tools and exercises in each chapter, you will be inspired and gently guided along on your writing path, toward your goals.


... Read more

Editorial Review

IMAGINE THE ADVANTAGE YOU’D HAVE IF ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP WEDDING SHOOTERS SHARED HIS SECRETS WITH YOU

World-renowned wedding photographer, and one of the most widely acclaimed instructors in the industry today, David Ziser brings his no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point teaching style to a book that totally rewrites the rules for how wedding photography is taught.

This groundbreaking new book is the first of its kind to focus on the exact areas that wedding photographers have been begging a top pro like David to cover, including how to create professional quality light and beautiful images in every situation, how to compose wedding images that sell, and how to create amazing images in the limited time and at the fast pace of a wedding.

But David doesn’t just stop there. He covers every aspect of what today’s brides and wedding couples want from a wedding photographer, including poses that work every time and can’t-miss lighting setups you can use again and again, and everything is laid out in a brilliant step-by-step method that makes learning these techniques so easy, you’ll be able to pull off these same looks yourself (without spending thousands on expensive equipment). Plus, the book is packed with David’s tricks of the trade that he’s picked up in a career shooting all over the world.

LEARN HOW THE PROS REALLY DO IT
Each year David trains thousands of photographers on how to shoot weddings like a pro. He knows the problems and challenges today’s wedding photographers face, and that’s exactly what he covers in this book. You’ll learn everything on the list here and much more:

• Professional posing and composition tips
• Simple on-location lighting setups that are specially designed for the wedding photographer
• How to get gorgeous images using a minimal amount of time and equipment
• Creative lighting techniques that anyone can use to create dramatic wedding portraits that will set you apart
• David’s own camera settings and lens selections (which lenses to use when, and why), and how to get the best results with your existing gear
• How pros use on- and off-camera f lash, and a host of tricks of the trade that will make you more profitable and have you delivering the type of wedding shots you’ve always dreamed of!

Reviews

Best Wedding Photography Book Out There, February 17, 2010
I've scoured Amazon.com for wedding photography books that encompass the perfect blend of inspiration, technique and overall workflow. And finally, this book arrives. The layout is excellent, with logical chapter breaks, informative call-out boxes, and full sections devoted to natural light, on camera ETTL flash, off camera flash, ceremony workflow, reception workflow, and a few more. Also, some books are pretty dated as far as equipment, but the author refreshingly describes using his Canon 5D Mark II AND 7D. That might not seem like a big deal at first, but in many places he talks about leveraging the amazing high-ISO capabilities of cameras like this with your other settings. For example, in the off camera flash sections, he talks about the use of these high ISO settings to cut flash power by half, thus conserving battery life. There's not a lot in here about pricing/contracts, but that's not what I was looking for. If you know what you want to charge, but want to take your wedding photography to the next level, this is the book. Buy it.

This Book Ought to be Required Reading for ANY Photographic Education Class!, February 22, 2010
I have been a professional photographer specializing in weddings for over 30 years and have NEVER read any book with such intense information! Check for yourself: search the other "instructional" books listed on Amazon, Borders or any bookstore and you'll come to the same conclusion as me- there is nothing that even comes close to Mr. Ziser's "how to" approach. We as photographers, enjoy delving into a beautiful image and explore the impact and composition, but rarely are provided the insight in order to obtain those outstanding results. David's approach comes across to the reader as if he is in front of the class giving a seminar. The book is written in a very easy to understand and conversational language that any aspiring photographer to the most advanced can comprehend.

So often, many books written by photographers illustrate specific points, but rarely do the accompanied images reflect such depth and dimension as Mr. Ziser's. The quality of the photographs almost "jump off the page" and the cool thing is, he explains the technique to achieve it! There are many "starving" photographers out there, wondering why they can't make a good living at their craft. By its very nature, once the photography improves, they can raise their prices with confidence. What David teaches in his book will make one's images stand out! He opens the door to unbelievable lighting techniques that include everything from nature's light to creativity with a simple "flashlight."

After just reading a few pages, the reader will start to view wedding photography as truly an art. The information revealed in "Captured By the Light", along with the beautiful photographs will never be out of date. The lessons in this book are timeless; because the most basic areas of photography that are discussed explore the simple rules of photography as an art. Some of these topics include: exposure, lighting, composition, choice of equipment and camera lens, etc. and they are covered in rich detail. I think this book will soon become the "bible" in photography from the advanced amateur to the seasoned professional photographer. I also would like to commend publishers on the outstanding quality of the book.

This publication is surely: "The essential guide to creating EXTRAORDINARY wedding photography!" The cost of this book is very reasonable, but what one takes from it- education, is priceless!

Very specific advice from a successful photographer, March 13, 2010
I don't normally buy wedding photography books, but after flipping through this one I couldn't resist getting it. The author, a former engineer, gives very specific advice on how to get certain looks, defines his terms, and shows example pictures both using and not using his techniques, very helpful.

I liked the simple description of "loop" lighting and why it is desirable for this type of photography. The composition chapters, which very specifically list things to look for to set up a good shot, are also excellent. The author's advice on how to work with assistants to dynamically position off-camera lights to add depth and separation is also great, although unfortunately this technique requires at least one full-time assistant, so don't expect to duplicate the author's work going solo.

Some minor nitpicks: I thought the advice for making a snoot out of a rolled-up magazine was silly, it looks unprofessional and there are many inexpensive, sleek-looking snoots on the market that don't risk damaging the flash unit or present a fire hazard. Also, the author repeatedly uses the word "perspective" when I believe he means "cropping" or "framing" as on page 25 when he says he stays in one place while zooming to change perspective. Additionally, I thought his equipment recommendations were strange since they involve low-end zooms that change aperture based on zoom settings, I would think this would interfere with the manual flash control the author uses.

The book doesn't focus on gear but be warned the author uses Canon equipment so don't expect any Nikon CLS tips or anything but passing references to other brands. Surprisingly the author uses relatively inexpensive gear and recommends even cheaper gear to save money, which is fine I guess but considering that the author routinely shoots all-day events with two assistants, I would think the assistants' salaries are going to dwarf any equipment expense and this topic is not really touched on.

Curiously missing from this book is any specific information of how the photos are post-processed in programs like Photoshop. Clearly some of the shots are retouched and the author occasionally refers to Photoshop, but there is no chapter on what his post-processing workflow is.

Anyway, this is an excellent book filled with beautiful photos and real-world advice from someone who has done the work. Highly recommended.

Captured by the hype, November 18, 2010
Yup, yes I was. To be Fair, Mr. Ziser does show a number of lighting techniques and ideas. However, this book is for the beginning wedding photographer.
I'm a full time wedding photographer who believes very strongly in excellent lighting techniques, but I found this book more about lighting for Mr. Ziser's particular style of photography, which is not my, nor my clients aesthetic.
Also, I fear that, as a Jpeg shooting photographer, Mr. Ziser is a little diminished in what his images can look like. I found a number of his sample images underexposed and not in an artful way.
The notion that you can create a candid, or god forbid, stop a first dance between bride and groom, father and bride, mother and groom and have them look into the camera and smile?! I felt like emailing Mr. Ziser with a dictionary definition of the word Candid.

Now a single negative review amidst a sea of 5 stars is not an indictment against the author, nor his work. I am merely suggesting if you are looking for more dynamic ways to light naturally occurring scenes, and perhaps the ways to create those scenes, then this isn't the book. I would re title this book, Wedding lighting for portrait photographers.

Joe McNally produces a series of great books about lighting different scenes.

A Must-Have book for any serious photographers, March 29, 2010
This book covers systematically all topics in wedding/portrait photography. This book is an inspiration source, a repetition of techniques, or truly an essential guide. You may need to be an intermediate photographer to get the most out of the book - know your gear and lightning/photography theories. However, it isn't just simple to buy this book and become a wedding photographer. Most off-camera-flash setups in the book are based on an assistant that can move the light source around. Light stand can help, but can not replace the flexibility of a person, especially when time is limited during a wedding. This book constantly remains me about "situation awareness": looking for backgrounds, compositions, geometry, lens choice, lightning/ambient, planning ahead - do it right first time and save lots of time in post-processing. Overall I am very happy to have this book. Highly recommended. Thank you David Ziser.

You'll Love This Book!, March 27, 2010
Would you like to learn how to create more beautifull and dramatic photographs of people? "Captured by the Light" will teach you! David Ziser has done a marvelous job of sharing his extensive knowledge and experience. The book is clearly written and logically organized. Photographs clearly illustrate the effect of each technique.

This book is not just for wedding photographers; it is for anyone who photographs people. As David explains, the book is about photographing people; his subjects happen to be brides.

As a summary for wedding photographers, David walks you through a typical wedding, explaining how he shoots each segment--from preparations, the ceremony, formal photos, and the reception. You may not have a lighting assistant to help you position your main light, but David's technique will help you decide how to best light your subject.

If you recently attended one of David Ziser's "Digital Wakeup Call" seminars, you may assume that the book is simply a review of his on-stage presentation. That would be a mistake. This book is vastly more useful than the seminar presentation.

"Captured By the Light" is sure to help you create more beautifull and dramatic photographs of people.

Dennis Baker
Freelance Photographer
[...]

not just for wedding photogs, May 6, 2010
There are already a lot of rave reviews so I will make only a few comments. This is the best hotography book I have ever read. It is a photography book, not a wedding photography book. Very practical and very well layed out and written. My only complaint was the font was too small for us older readers.

Wedding photographer in training., May 6, 2010
This book answered many questions and saved me from writing a lot of notes when I watched the videos on Scott Kelby's site. Much of it makes common sense to me. Now, I need more practice.

The Very Best Photo Book I Have, May 4, 2010
Captured by the Light is the best photo book I own. It is full of practical tips, along with step by step instruction on how to achieve the shot. This book is definitely money well spent!

Pretty Informative, May 1, 2010
Pretty informative book. Many of these techniques can be applied to many other photographic situations, which hopefully, would not be as crazy and hectic as a wedding can sometimes be. ... Read more

Editorial Review

What Every Smart Groom Needs to Know

The ring's on her finger, her to-do list is growing, and her mood is frantic. What's a groom to do? Let Groomology show him how becoming a partner in the wedding process can make the whole event more enjoyable, meaningful, and memorable. Time and time again, soon-to-be husbands only tackle what the bride-to-be has told them to do. Groomology outlines these traditional groom's duties but goes a step further to instruct grooms in the art of getting involved.

Grooms Will Learn The Best Strategies For A Happy Bride, Including:

• Being Sensitive To the Bride's Needs and Worries
• Taking Over Tasks the Bride Doesn't Want
• Understanding How Much Work Goes Into It All
• Reducing Her Stress
• Giving an Opinion
• Letting Go of an Opinion
• Being Creative
• The One Thing He Needs to Do
• The Benefit of Venting
• When Doing More Is Less

Complete with helpful resources, a guide to bridal party responsibilities and etiquette, tips on hiring vendors, wedding statistics, and more, Groomology is sure to keep couples happy throughout the tricky planning process.

Bonus: Including 100 romantic ways to reduce planning stress!

Reviews

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS BOOK., April 14, 2009
I really got a huge kick out of this book. And so did my fianc�e. It has some really useful information. It's funny. But it's also real good spirited. Any engaged guy would benefit from this. I went to a bookstore with my fianc�e and lounged around in the wedding books section. Most of the books that were there were written for/from the female perspective, and therefore did not motivate me to purchase or read the book. The other books for men were more about etiquette and what to expect. Then I ran across this one. I figured... oh no, it's another idiots guide or for dummies books... but then I realized that it wasn't. So I picked it up and read parts of it. Right off, I could tell that from the sense of humor of the author, that at the very least if it didn't offer me new information, since I have never been married before, it would at least keep me entertained.

So I purchased it. And I started reading it instead of a newspaper during some private time. It offered some helpful advice. It told me what to expect. And it made me laugh. What else could I ask for. I highly recommend getting this book because it does help me feel more informed about what to expect, and I don't have to carry around some frilly Martha Stewart-like book. The publisher and author understand that there is a niche for wedding books for men... that guide, offer advice, and entertain at the same time. If you are one of those football loving, bud light beer commercial watching, 20 something, 30 something, and even 40 something men, who has never been married before, then this is the book for you.

Groomology is AWESOME!, April 14, 2009
The author is awesome. I think I am in love with him, which may be a problem since I gave his book to the man I'm already planning to marry :) Oh my gosh, there is lots of useful advice and lots of laugh out loud moments. I'd definitely recommend it for BOTH guys and girls planning a wedding. It's excellent.

Awesome Book, April 8, 2009
A terrific book! And it's extraordinarily witty... as helpful as it is concise. Love it! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Feuding in-laws, manipulative wedding planners, rehearsal dinner meltdowns there's no end to the ways a wedding can go wrong. But have no fear: The Bride's Instruction Manual covers all the topics you need to know to march down the aisle with confidence.

In a concise and irreverent approach, noted wedding expert Carrie Denny offers advice for setting the date, choosing the dress, selecting attendants, deciding on a wedding site, drafting a guest list, designing invitations, and more. And it's all illustrated in the trademark "techy" style that has helped Quirk Owner s and Instruction Manuals sell more than one million copies around the world.

Complete with tons of useful information (and chock-full of cheat sheets to keep you on track and on budget), The Bride's Instruction Manual is the perfect shower gift for every blushing bride-to-be. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Leave it to The Knot, the most prestigious name in the bridal industry, to create a wise and heartwarming book for the second most important woman in the wedding. The Knot Guide for the Mother of the Bride explains the bridal planning process from start to finish, with special attention given to the responsibilities of the mother of the bride, such as engagement announcements and parties, interacting with the groom's family, and managing finances. Every aspect of the wedding tradition is covered from the mother's point of view, whether the etiquette of gift registries or how to organize a receiving line. Tips on the perfect form-flattering dress and camera-ready hair and make-up will help Mom create her perfect wedding look. Thoughtful suggestions give her ideas for supporting and encouraging her daughter, and for keeping perspective in high-pressure situations. Pretty illustrations and a lovely silvery jacket make this petite hardcover a special treasure. A great self-purchase for Moms or a cherished gift from the bride, The Knot Guide for the Mother of the Bride will help mothers and daughters enjoy the wedding—and each other. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A new title from America's top wedding experts, Elizabeth & Alex Lluch. The Complete Wedding Planner & Organizer provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date wedding planning information in a handy 3-ring binder designed to help brides stay organized and on top of their wedding plans. The binder includes a back cover pocket to store important documents, dividers to keep track of information, a 3-hole punch to easily add pages, and inspirational wedding photos. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com ReviewA full-color reference to planning for and executing a successful wedding day shoot

Wedding photography has become a major industry, and the number of photographers getting into this field is rapidly increasing—making it even more competitive. Written by top wedding photographer, Kenny Kim, this full-color reference walks you through all the major (and minor) steps involved in planning and organizing a successful wedding day shoot.

You'll get unique advice on everything from your initial meeting with the engaged couple to the final presentation of the commemorative book. Packed with checklists, schedules, etiquette tips, and much more, this book is an essential wedding photography resource for every wedding photographer.

• Provides detailed coverage of all the major and minor steps in preparing for a successful wedding day shoot
• Explores preparation for every detail of taking unique and memorable wedding day photos
• Spans the initial meeting with the couple all the way to presenting them with their photo album
• Reassures you of your preparation, using checklists, schedules, etiquette tips, answers to questions, and more

From rings and vows to dancing and "wows", this resource will help you prepare to capture every moment of a couple's special day.

Tips for Engagement Photo Sessions
Amazon-exclusive content from author Kenny Kim

Along with what I have already mentioned in the book, I want to go more in depth about engagement session. This is not just a time where you take nice photos with your couple for an hour or two. There is more than meets the eye if you execute these elements:

Communicate by Example
During a photoshoot, I see so many photographers (including myself) talking to our clients using “photography lingo”. Because we as photographers constantly talk about it, I think we easily make the assumption that others (including our clients) understand the same terms. Often times they might be just too nice to ask what we exactly mean. Or they just brush it off as it is no big deal. But a good way to communicate to your clients during a shoot is to show by example. Rather than shouting out “hold out that arm!” show them which arm and how to do it. Ask them to mirror your movement and let them know that you would not make them do things that you would not do yourself.

When I did my engagement session in Italy with Italian models, I had the difficulty of overcoming the language barrier. It was frustrating not being able to explain to them in words what I wanted them to do. So I had to resort to communicating by example. Using eye contact and body language, I was able to get them to do the things I want them to do. You are also educating your clients by showing examples of what you want them to do. As the shoot goes on, you will have to coach them less and less as they start to feel more comfortable. In almost all my engagement sessions, towards the middle or end of the session, I let them come up with their own poses and just make minor adjustments as they do.

Shaun attended University of Chicago and really liked the Rockefeller Chapel on campus. He requested I take a few photos inside. So we walked over there only to discover that there was some kind of a service/meeting going on inside. The sanctuary was packed with people. Shaun and Joy were little disappointed but I did not want them to feel that way on their engagement session. I am a firm believer that when “life gives you lemons, you make lemonade out of it.” So I looked around for a bit trying to see if I can think of an alternate solution. Bing! (That’s the sound of light bulb turning on inside my head). Then, I asked Shaun and Joy if they don’t mind being little bit adventurous. I think they liked the idea of that. I had found a small pathway between the church wall and the pews. I knew we could not communicate verbally since there was a service going on. So I asked them to go over to a specific spot and come up with their own pose (I’ve instructed them on several poses during the shoot up to this point so I knew they would deliver). To give you an idea of what the setting was actually like, I took the next photo to show the risk that my clients was willing to take to get the shot above:

At first they were a bit nervous about standing there posing and kept looking over to the congregation. I thought I placed them at just at the last row of where people were sitting to be inconspicuous. After I had taken the shot, I walked over to them only to realize what was going on. Where they were standing was not actually the last row!There were several more rows of people right next to them and they were all staring at them smiling while they posed! I can only imagine how nerve wracking it was for Shaun & Joy! But I’m so proud of my clients – they stuck with it, ignored the congregation and posed as I asked them to. As a result we came up with a great photo and a fun story to share for lifetime.

Photos from Author Kenny Kim

Get close! It is important to capture the dynamics of the couple. Capturing their emotion that comes out only when they are close together is very important. To achieve this, I use a zoom lens and take a few steps back to give them some space.I use the zoom to close in on them then wait for the right moment. I shoot everything in color first but like to convert some of them to B&W. Removing all the colors allows you to focus in on the subject more and not get distracted by variety of colors. Shot specification: Canon Mark 1d IV / F5.6 1/250sec. ISO 400 /WB: Cloud / Canon L 70-200mm f2.8 lens zoomed to 170mm.

Keep the Camera Rolling! It is important to capture the posed shots. But don’t just stop. Keep your camera up and ready to fire even after you are finished with your posed photo. Sometimes the unexpected things like this can happen or often times Couple’s true emotion comes out after they are done being posed. In many of my shoots, I purposely pose my couple just so that I capture their reaction right afterwards. Those are the genuine moments that show who they really are as a couple. Shot specification: Canon Mark 1d III / F4.0 1/250sec. ISO 100 /WB: Daylight / Canon L 24-70mm f2.8 lens zoomed to 70mm.

See the Bigger Picture Sometimes you need to step back and see the entire picture. While the bridesmaids were spending the last minute before the ceremony in prayer, I took a few shots of that then quietly removed myself so that the bride can share the intimate moment together one last time with her closest friends. It was not until I stepped back and was getting ready to exit the room when I saw this moment. It is important to focus on the details but you need to be aware of your surroundings to see the big picture. Try this at your next wedding: shoot with both eyes open – one looking through your viewfinder and the other eye looking around. You’ll be surprised at so many moments that go unnoticed. Shot specification: Canon Mark 1d III / F2.8 1/200sec. ISO 1000 /WB: Fluorescent / Canon L 16-35mm f2.8 lens zoomed to 28mm.

... Read more

Reviews

This Needs to Be On Your Bookshelf. A Modern Day Reference for Modern Day Wedding Photography., September 7, 2010
Me? I'm Karlo.

[...] <- Wedding & Portrait Photographer's Podcast

Provide good info if you aspire to be wedding photographer, May 12, 2010
The Wedding Photographer's Planner by Kenny Min is mainly a collection of checklist of what to anticipate in typical American wedding. It is quite comprehensive from engagement session, getting ready, ceremony, reception, and after wedding. It also includes some tips about business and further learning.

The book is suited for photographers who like to know what is the wedding photographers and what to expect in the event. For seasoned wedding photographers or if you already shots several weddings, the book gives a little value. The style covered in this wedding is pretty much traditional, meaning that most of the photography is done mostly by directing and less about anticipating extraordinary moments (candid style).

The checklists are helpful for new photographers so they don't miss any important details, but if you have experience in wedding photography, you should already know 80-90% of the stuff in the book.

The book has over 250 pages of content, but unfortunately, it is too heavy on images than on the text. The images are relevant to the page but do not have caption. Also I think the images are not the best of Kenny Kim works. It looks very ordinary.

If you need guidance or information how to start a wedding business, the book provide very good reference, but if you are experienced photographer looking for extraordinary insights that will set you to the next level, you should look for other books.

For more reviews (books, tips and gears), please visit my blog. The address is on my profile page. Thank you for reading.

Clear and concise, helpful, and it worked!, June 27, 2010
Before I got this book, I shot a handful of weddings just "flying by the seat of my pants". In this book, Kenny clearly provides the reader the direction needed for a successful wedding. He ventures outside of technical shot specifications, and focuses on the photographers thought process, action plan, and reasoning behind each and every shot. I followed his advice and can attest to his findings myself. At the end of my most recent wedding, my clients were overjoyed with the work I had done... without (as Kenny says) seeing a single image! Planning works! Thanks Kenny!

Kenny is AMAZING!, August 19, 2010
If you're thinking of getting this book... do yourself a big favor and DO IT. Kenny is a brilliant photographer and wrote a great book that will help you tremendously with your wedding photography business. He goes over EVERYTHING and pumps you up to have an amazing, fun, successful career in wedding photography.

Great Book!, August 8, 2010
I haved read and re-read Kenny Kim's book, The Wedding Photographer's Planner, several times to prepare for meeting with a bride and for the wedding day itself. He has great ideas and very helpfull lists and tips for a new wedding photographer. If you are starting out in wedding photographer, you won't go wrong buying this book.

EXCELLENT CHOICE, August 1, 2010
l loved this book and found it helpful and very easy to use....lots of sound practical examples. Would it DEFINITELY recommend it to others :-)

a MUST HAVE for wedding photographers, July 13, 2010
seriously a must-have for wedding photographers who are just starting out or have been for a while! what i love most about kenny kim is that no matter how successful he is, he's willing to share all of his "secrets" and genuinely wishes everyone around him to do well - and the proof is in this book! go buy your copy today - you will not regret it! ... Read more

Editorial Review

In this downturn economy, planning a wedding on a budget is more challenging than ever. Weddings For Dummies, 2E will come to the rescue providing expertise on everything from bridal gowns to the honeymoon with the emphasis on getting the most for the least amount of money. This edition will also include a new section on forms and tracking sheets to simplify the planning process. Weddings For Dummies, 2E will cover all the essentials including: planning the wedding you can afford that is still be the wedding of your dreams, getting the best price for the ideal location for the ceremony and reception, tips on how to hire caterers, florists, photographers, and more, choosing music and food for the reception without breaking the bank, insights on handling even the stickiest situations the right way—even tricky family dynamics, tips for keeping track of gifts, guests to thank you notes, the latest bridal fashions, floral arrangements, and cakes, ideas for fun, unique, and romantic receptions, picking the ideal honeymoon location that fits your budget.  Includes a new section with planning forms and worksheets intended to simplify the planning process ... Read more

Reviews

Not a princess or an older bride, January 6, 2000
I had four months to plan a wedding for 200 guests (my fiance insisted that we do it soon because he didn't want me to wait until next summer to do it), so I had four months to stress instead of twelve. My fiance also would not give me any direction ("If I were to plan it, I would let an Elvis impersonator marry us in Vegas"), and I was working full-time as well. I read those Budget Brides books, but who has time to scavenger hunt for the cheapest dress? I needed some basic help...and fast.

I found Weddings For Dummies *extremely* helpful because I didn't know where to start. This book told me when to contact the photographer, videographer, and reception place, and it gave me tips on questions to ask. The book was an easy--and fun--read. The pictures were gorgeous; I loved what they did with the flowers. After my wedding, I gave this book to a friend who was getting married in the Carribean; she even forwarded it on to another friend!

Weddings for "Rich" Dummies, April 5, 2004
As far as wedding planning goes, this book is a decent compilation of customs and how-tos for a "typical", $20,000+ American wedding. The writing style can be extremely pretentious and perhaps offensive to brides with small budgets or who wish to have a truly unique ceremony. Buy a few bridal magazines and you'll get most of the information contained herein, and a lot less preaching on the MUST-DOs of nouveau riche etiquette. It doesn't contain much information on cultural weddings, ideas for very individualistic weddings. High brow brides will find it lacking in top rung etiquette and budget brides will likely give up after the first few chapters. There are much better resources out there - www.weddingchannel.com for starters.

Definitely helping to ease this bride's stress, September 7, 2000
As a magazine editor who covers the gift book trade, I see all forms of wedding guides. I found this one to be the most helpful, however, because not only does it cover every conceivable detail a bride must consider in planning her big day, the information is nicely organized into different chapters (cake, flowers, caterer, dress, etc.) for easy referencing. Even better, within each chapter, paragraph-length tidbits are marked with icons symbolizing messages such as "Caution!" or "Plan Ahead!", definitely an aid to those dealing with short attention spans or high levels of stress.

Great place to start, October 22, 2001
While I wouldn't say that this book is the most complete book for planning a wedding, I do feel it is a great starting point. Its hard trying to figure out where to start once you're engaged and this book is really helpful because it helps point you in th edirection of where to start. Also filled with great, relatively simple yet elegant ideas for your wedding.

Saved my wedding day, June 3, 2001
I loved it. It was so informative, funny and helpful that I breezed through the wedding to the envy of all my friends. I have never found a book to be so helpful,easy to read and now give it to all my friends. There was nothing that this amazing book didn't cover. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's the best.

The focus is in all the wrong places, May 10, 2000
I read this book recently while trying to plan my own wedding, and came away with very little useful information. The authors have no sense of perspective or proportion; for many of us, planning a wedding is something we do on top of a full-time job and a full-time life, not something we do _instead_ of having a life. In addition, many of the chapters emphasize a lot of small and largely useless details - do I really need to fret about matching the stamps on my invitation and RSVP envelopes? - instead of pointing out that the details which make a wedding memorable are variable, and depend on each couple.

This is another wedding guide that promotes the "more is more" philosophy, urging brides (but never grooms) to spend money if they're unsure about some aspect of the ceremony and reception. Unfortunately, the book does little to help a prospective bride or groom harness their taste and resources and use them to plan a memorable wedding.

Those who are looking for a sane guide on planning a wedding are better served by buying "Weddings for Grownups."

This Wedding Planning Book Stands Out from the Crowd., August 14, 1999
No pretty cover and no pretty pictures which may be considered marketing suicide for a wedding planning book. But yet this one wedding planning book is jam packed with information! This information is written to a diverse readership with various wedding budgets. Budgets dictate one's priorities and one's priorities determine which information is useful and which is useless. Here is a wealth of information for brides to decide for themselves how they want their Wedding Day to be! I have been professionally photographing weddings for 19 years and have been called upon for planning advice and even directing weddings. I'm now providing Weddings for Dummies to all my clients. My clients are happier and I'm spending more time dealing with their photography needs.

No question, the best wedding book around, February 22, 1999
Weddings For Dummies is the only guide you'll need to making your big day perfect. The authors have a sensible approach and they provide all the details and tricks of the trade that would take a lifetime of wedding planning to learn. If that wasn't enough, the material is presented in a easily accesible format and with enough humor to keep things in perspective. A great gift for the bride (or groom) to be. Get an extra one for the parents. They'll thank you for it. You will get a big return on your investment in this book. I practically wore the covers off of mine.

Fantasy Weddings, November 30, 2003
This book is great as far as letting you know all the steps and parts that go with a wedding, very clear, does a pretty good job overall.

My main complaint is that this book doesn't help you out much if you're planning anything less than the "typical" $18,000 wedding. There are a few budget-saving tips, but there are just as many suggestions that are just an outrageous amount of money to spend on one day.

words to the wise, March 16, 2006
It certainly covers a lot of ground, evenly and fairly concisely.I am an older male and I read a lot, but knew absolutely nothing about weddings.My partner suggested I buy the book,wise woman .If you are a man and feel trepidation around this largely female undertaking, read this book, and read it well.It is up to date and as a core virtue is not attached to selling you something you do not want or cannot afford.It only asks that you be satisfied and happy with your informed choice.Besides covering the rather effete items such as dress,and who goes where when, the nitty gritty on prenups, how to handle the caterers and who gets paid when, are also included. Read it again as the wedding details and decisions start to fall into place and you will be of some help to yourself as well as her.Occasionally you will be asked what you think.Occasionally you will have to weigh in to save your sanity.These things do need planning input by guys,and its a life learning experience -for most of us pleasantly, I hope!If you put yourself out of the loop, you really are a dummy. Together you actually can do it, and this is a good exercise. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Planning for the big day? Here are the most up-to-date answers to all of your questions in the book from the editors of the acclaimed wedding website, The Knot.

Overwhelmed by the countless questions and details your wedding entails? Don’t despair! The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World takes you step-by-step from your engagement to the big day, from the reception to the honeymoon. Inside you’ll find checklists, worksheets, insider advice, and in-depth sections on:

How to personalize your wedding
Updated wedding etiquette
Creating a realistic budget
Sneaky cost-cutting tips
Dress shopping advice
Tips for working with florists, caterers, officiants, and others
Invitation wording
Vows and ceremony details
Unique wedding customs

ALL NEW SECTIONS ON: Planning Online and Destination Weddings

Editorial Review

The classic indispensable, comprehensive guide to creating the wedding of your dreams.

Today's weddings are more complicated than ever, with new traditions replacing old, and new relationships to consider as family life grows more complex. In this new edition, Peggy provides sensible solutions to wedding questions old and new, showing how to manage the big decisions and the little details with tact, consideration and confidence–– leaving you free to enjoy all of the happy times along the way!

With new chapters on the groom's involvement and incorporating today's technology into your wedding plans, plus updates and expansions on destination weddings, same–sex unions, wedding expenses, and more, the 5th edition answers every couple's contemporary questions. And Peggy Post continues to provide the tried and true guidelines every couple needs for a memorable wedding, from announcing the engagement, to budgeting for the ceremony and reception, to choosing the perfect caterer, florist, photographer and music–– and bringing it all off with minimum stress and maximum style.

Editorial Review

The three biggest trends in weddings today are simplicity, personalization, and color. Wedding design expert Karen Bussen highlights these elements as she shows couples how to design their own weddings without going crazy or broke.

Simple Stunning Weddings is the first wedding design book to focus on the where of the wedding. Location is the first and most important decision brides and grooms must make: everything else flows from that. Bussen showcases 12 popular wedding settings, including the city loft, country inn, art gallery, botanic garden, and private club, and demonstrates how to make them extraordinary. With the site as the starting point, she creates unifying themes with color, flowers, and personal touches. She explains how to deal with vendors, how to spend the wedding budget, and when it makes sense to hire a specialist.

Sharing all her trade secrets, Bussen teaches the power of simplicity and the impact of color, which can be tailored to any budget, always to stunning effect: substituting cotton tablecloths for silk in the same eye-dazzling color combinations, for example, or creating striking flower arrangements using only one or two types of blooms. Whether for a barefoot union on a beach or a formal affair in a hotel ballroom, this fully illustrated, information-filled book is like having Bussen on hand as your personal wedding designer.AUTHOR BIO: KAREN BUSSEN is one of Manhattan's most exciting wedding designers. Her work has been featured in such magazines as Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings, Home, Food & Wine, and Interior Design. In the past six years, she has designed more than 100 weddings.

ELLEN SILVERMAN's photographs have appeared in Charmed Bracelets and New Soul Cooking (both STC). ... Read more

Reviews

MVP for Wedding Ideas, October 5, 2005
The philosphy of this book is even more useful than the stunning pictures are. When I was planning my weding, it was so easy to be overwhelmed with the choices and ideas available. This book offers a 1-2-3 approach than can simplify some of the decision-making, at least as far as decor is concerned. While I too was occasionally frustrated by my location not fitting into any of the "themes" given, the point of the book is to inspire brides to work WITH their locations, rather than against them. By doing so, I saved a lot of time, effort, and money by not trying to make my location into a castle or a country club when it was a renovated school, but rather embracing the beauty of the architecture and gardens already there.

Aside from the basic philosophy, the pictures are incredible. I love thumbing through this book even though my wedding is over, just for the beauty of the photography and the creativity of the ideas. This book, along with Bridal Bargains, gave me the wedding I wanted with the budget I had.

My Wedding Planning Bible, August 17, 2007
I used this book to plan my wedding that happened in May '07, which was done without a wedding planner. My wedding was held in a historic, beautiful synagogue and historic beautiful hotel (similar to the country club chapter). So many of our guests have commented directly to us or my parents about how beautiful our wedding was -- and I have to say this book helped me more than any other. Simple Stunning Weddings guided most of my decor decisions over the 9 months that I spent planning our wedding.

For starters, I used this book to communicate with my florist -- it was extremely helpful for that. So many of my friends and family have commented on how stunning our flowers were -- we used fresh seasonal flowers in colors that suited our venue but they were of a style and in containers similar to the ones presented here.

In addition, her ideas about where to splurge and where to save for a given venue were invaluable. Not only did they save money, but they also saved time and stress.

Her suggestion of bringing old family photos into a reception site was one of the biggest hits of my wedding -- both my husband and I found old photographs of our family going back to the early 20th century and had them displayed on a large table. People couldn't stop talking about them -- not just our relatives, but friends too. That suggestion cost us about $50 -- how great is that? Her idea to hire a swing band to harmonize with the classic space was another giant hit -- the dance floor was full until the band stopped at midnight.

I didn't copy her ideas, rather I adapted them for the synagogue and ballrooms that we used -- and I found it quite easy to do so. It is so easy to be overwhelmed by all the choices around planning a wedding -- everything from table linens to wineglasses to lighting to picking a band -- it was wonderful to have her photos and text to guide and influence our decisions.

I spent nine months being fairly wedding obsessed while planning our wedding -- I purchased many books and magazines, spent lots of time figuring out our options and looking around for ideas, and I have to say that the ideas presented here were the best resource I found. My other favorite book (in a very different vein) was Bridal Bargains -- it's discussions on how to hire vendors from photographers to caterers to dress shops informed and influenced all of our vendor selections. By doing so I hired great vendors right away and avoided many of the hassles that my friends went through while planning their weddings. I'm not sure how much money I saved through their suggestions, but they really do understand what good vendors look like -- which was tremendously helpful.

Fine Simplicity, January 14, 2006
The books offers simple, colorful pictures to indulge yourself in and set up in the most organized fashion. I was surprised at how much information it actually offered once I started reading the book. The text goes beyond the design efforts of the wedding and takes you into the scheduling of the wedding, the tasks that will be developed throughout the preparation of the wedding, wedding day preparations, tips on selecting the the venue & dealing with the people involved and just basic advice on every single detail. I found the book very helpful since it was seperated in different chapters according to the type of venues. The floral ideas were amazing since it offered simplicity using color tactics rather than quantity tactics. I only wished there were more weddings per each theme to compare. Such as three different 'vineyard' weddings, so it would offer more ideas within each particular theme.

Great book - great ideas!, August 29, 2005
This is a beautiful book that contains many wonderful ideas aimed at people who are "coordinating" their own wedding. It offers many different and simple solutions that not only cost less than traditional methods, but look beautiful as well. My only complaint is that the book is sectioned out by ceremony/reception location and if your location is not among those listed, it requires you to cross-reference to other sections to find ideas that would work. Also, the website that you are sent to for more information not listed in the back is not helpful.

Great Ideas, August 4, 2005
This book has really beautiful, vivid pictures. The ideas are very simple and very stunning! I use it as inspiration and show it to many of my clients to explain ideas about certain looks. I especially like the use of color in this book. It is one of my favorites because it contains lots of fresh ideas.

Nice Photos, Unhelpful Text, August 20, 2008
I was hoping that this book would help me get creative and plan my idea wedding. Some of the photos were nice to choose color schemes, but I really found more luck with that on the internet. The book is geared toward helping you choose the type of wedding that you want. I had already chosen my venue, so most of the book was not applicable. I found the text to provide really common sense descriptions and I don't think that I would have found it to be helpful at any stage of wedding planning.

Amazing!, February 10, 2007
This book is absolutely amazing. It has so many beautiful pictures and such easy tips to follow for your own wedding.

Great Book, Stunning Photos, January 14, 2010
This book was the creative backbone of my wedding in early 2009. Its stunning pictures are so detailed, and you will be able to pull so many ideas from each chapter. I just found mine the other day, and it had about 50 sticky notes all around. Truly a great book.

Splendid!, September 8, 2009
This book provides great inspiration with wedding planning, with sections on different types of venues. The photos are plenty and vivid with wonderful suggestions that offer timeless simplicity but excellent style. I keep referring to the book throughout my planning to inspire and re-inspire.

Classic Ideas, April 9, 2009
If you are looking for unique and simple ideas for your wedding, or really any party, this is a perfect book. So many weddings now have the huge over powering centerpieces, if that is not your style this is an awesome book for you. ... Read more

Editorial Review

For the first time TheKnot.com’s famous timelines, tools, and checklists have been compiled in one easy-to-carry book that will travel with you from florist to baker and everywhere in between. The Knot Book of Wedding Lists distills all the great information from The Knot and crafts it into useful, organized lists that will eliminate the stress and make planning a wedding as simple as checking off boxes. Whether you’re planning for twenty or two hundred, a wedding on the beach or in a balloon, this compact guide covers all your planning details for the big day in an easy, organized format, including:

oplanning timelines
ocontract checklists
ovendor to-do lists
onew wedding ideas
oquestions to ask the site manager, photographer, florist, and others
obridesmaid duties
odetails about your ceremony
oshopping lists
owedding-day to-do lists
oreception schedules
and much, much more.

With the most essential to-do lists in one easily accessible and portable spot, The Knot Book of Wedding Lists is the ultimate organizing tool you’ll turn to at every step of the wedding-planning process—right up to your walk down the aisle. ... Read more