Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up this (and two other gay and lesbian wedding guides) fully expecting it to be biased wedding industry propaganda and not particularly useful for planning my smallish low-budget wedding. But I was pleasantly surprised to find a small book chock full of great information. While the author was clearly used to planning fairly lavish traditional ceremonies, the step-by-step planning process worked just as well for my smaller event. I particularly found the sections on wedding style/vision, incorporating cultural influences, dealing with wedding stress, and reception planning useful.

The earnest, inclusive and reassuring tone was great---very down to earth. It's a good book to read when having a brideszilla moment to remind you to calm down, talk to your partner and remember why you're doing all this in the first place.

My main complaint was the chapter on current LGBT law on marriage, partnerships, legal protections etc. Since this type of information is always changing, it's better to check with a more up to date source (a local LGBT equality organization, a lawyer, the HRC website, or a legal guide). A related concern: nearly all the websites the book mentioned are defunct, under new management, or no longer useful. In addition to the oft-mentioned gayweddings.com (which I think has been bought out), I would also recommend checking out purpleunions.com if you're looking for vendors.

Also, the ceremony planning section was a bit thin on info on secular ceremonies. If you're not having a church wedding, I'd recommend a ceremony planning book like I Do by Sydney Barbara Metrick or Alternative Weddings by Jane Ross-MacDonald for the ceremony. But overall, this is a good book. I checked it out from the library originally, but actually ended up buying it.

The review, by wellreadwoman, is dead on accurate. I borrowed this book from my local library, and have to say that this review is absolutely on track. This book is great, but don't waste your time with the websites listed in the book. The only website that still holds up is [...] . Good luck with your own Gay/Lesbian Wedding!

Thank goodness for this book. There are so many details in planning any wedding but for a gay/lesbian wedding it can really get complicated. This book is very thorough and covers everything you have questions about or need to know to have the wedding of your dreams. We highly recommend this book to all gay/lesbian wedding planners.

This book was nothing but a plug for the author's website. He mentions it every chance he gets. I did not find the book helpful. I wanted more of a "How to" guide book. The sections with "how-to" were minimal and extremely vague. I read the book in about 40 min. Don't waste your time.