Customer Reviews

Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget

5 star:		(252)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

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.

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 Another minor negative is that when I tried some of the websites in the book, the URLs were no longer valid; although they talked about use of the internet in planning quite a bit, I wish they had addressed this area even more, especially use of email to get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.

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.

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

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!

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

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!

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!

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.

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!