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Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget Paperback – December 10, 2002

by Denise Fields (Author), Alan Fields (Author)
77 customer reviews
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Denise Fields and Alan Fields write a monthly column for Baby Talk magazine. They have written several best-selling books, including Baby Bargains and Bridal Bargains. They live in Boulder, CO.
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Product Details

  • Series: Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget
  • Paperback: 438 pages
  • Publisher: Windsor Peak Press; 6th ed. edition (December 10, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1889392138
  • ISBN-13: 978-1889392134
  • Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,249,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Your Wedding: Make It Real -- Make it Affordable
By Teraisa on July 23, 2004
Format: Paperback
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!Read more ›
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
I give this as a gift to every engaged couple!
By Jessica Lux on June 16, 2005
Format: Paperback
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!
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
don't know what that other person was talking about
By A Customer on October 29, 2003
Format: Paperback
for those of you that have read the scathing review about the book, keep in mind that one of the things the book says is that "couture" is used in the wedding industry for anything from cotton underwear on up. It, like Italian Silk, usually doesn't mean anything except that you are paying more. Having said that, I just picked up the book. I have been working as a caterer to fund my higher education, and I won't be depending on someone else to foot the bill for my wedding. I found lots of the advice to be practical and straightforward. I agree with Denise Richards that you SHOULD be able to shop around for a gown like you would for a pair of jeans. And I have tasted many a wedding cake, purchased from upscale or otherwise bakeries, that seriously tasted like crap. She isn't saying "don't spend money," she's saying make sure you get what you pay for. And she's obviously done her homework. Also gives you lots of websites and practical experience and advice, not to mention things to watch out for when dealing with various vendors. Not a wedding info book for the weak at heart, but if you want to get some tough advice on a vicious industry (and, make no mistake, it is) this is a great book.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Don't buy a dress without reading this book first!
By lindyjulie on January 12, 2003
Format: Paperback
Planning a wedding is a little bit like buying a car; most of us are prepared to lay down thousands of dollars for options and features we like but don't fully understand. It's partly an emotional decision, partly a practical one, partly financial. Tradition plays a role, and so does the desire to have the very latest thing. It's something that (most of us, anyway) hope to do only once. And, much like the auto industry, shady dealers abound, ready to play on your emotions and lack of knowledge.
This book is filled with carefully researched information about the entire process of working with vendors while planning your wedding. It is not a wedding planning book; look elsewhere for timetables, to-do lists and ceremony vows. But it will give you lots of options on how to save money on the big ticket items: the dress, the venues, the rings, the flowers, the transportation, the catering, and more. There are also stories and tips from real brides in each section. The information on the apparel industry is particularly helpful; read this section before you buy a dress!
It gives websites and phone numbers to resources you won't be able to find elsewhere (I used this book to find ... a bricks and mortar store in NYC that sells bridesmaid gowns over the internet--saved me [money] per dress over the price at a traditional bridal shop). While it does take a skeptical approach to the wedding industry, which some reviewers here have objected to, it gives credit where credit is due, helping you find honest vendors you can trust. Another plus, the tips and ideas here will work no matter what kind of style of wedding you're planning or budget you are working with.
You wouldn't buy a used car without consulting Consumer Reports, Edmundson's or the Kelly Blue book; don't plan a wedding without this one!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Some good information, horrible writing

Boy, would I like to edit this book. It contains some useful tidbits, but it's quite redundant (could be pared down to half the size without losing vital details), and the authors... Read more

Published on December 31, 2009 by png
Among the Best!

Between the amazing amount of research and brutal honesty in this book, any person planning a wedding on a budget will find it hugely helpful. Read more

Published on January 2, 2007 by Sandra Moyer
*****The best wedding saver resource out there****

I bought this book about a year ago right after I got engaged. Since then I am constantly amazed at how much research and collaboration the authors have done on this book. Read more

Published on October 2, 2006 by Larissa Valdez
Great book

I have to admit, I plan events for a living (Fundraisers & Corporate events, but no clue on wedding planning) so I figured I needed something to "enlight me" and I bought this book... Read more

Published on September 28, 2006 by G. Taveras
Highly Recommended!

If you are sick of looking at magazines and books filled with pictures and scenarios that are completely out of your reality, then this is the book for you. Read more

Published on August 9, 2006 by A Reader
Unrealistic

I am going to return this book and get my money back from the authors. Hey, they offer in writing in the book.

Your best source of what you want is from you. Read more

Published on June 12, 2006 by Faye D
Awesome tipps to save some money

Seriously, if you are getting married get this book! It gave me the best hints to save money and so far I saved a couple of hundreds of $$$ on my gown and accessories. Read more

Published on February 9, 2006 by S. Reinert
Bought a little late

Wish I would have bought this sooner. But I did buy in time for picking out the the invitations. Was VERY helpful in this area and I gained a lot of insite into the range of... Read more

Published on January 20, 2006 by KmW
The Common Sense way to plan your big day

Upon getting engaged, everything seemed overwhelming. I received bridal magazines from friends and family, but all seemed like it wasn't me. Read more

Published on December 1, 2005 by Erin
Worth the price of the book

I was skeptical when I first read about this book, because I was afraid it was another one of those guides with money-saving "tips" like how to sew your own wedding gown or bake... Read more

Published on November 17, 2005 by Amy McGhee

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