Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Wedding (3rd Edition)

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

 

 

The audience for this book seems to be young couples who have not organized social functions. The overriding emphasis is on style, flowers, colors, settings, the entertainment side, having fun, and there is nothing wrong with that. I agree with the other commentators--far too much space is spent telling us to hire an expert to be in charge. If you want advice on themes, flowers, and clothing styles, on what is the "in" thing, this is your book. If you have an idea how to plan events and are looking for alternatives, choices, and simplicity, especially for those over forty, and there a lot of us,look elsewhere. It certainly builds up expectations for a grand event, but with the national divorce rate over fifty per cent, there is an air of unreality and impossible expectations as well. It closely resembles the three glossy publications for Washington, DC, promoting the commercial services to implement these plans. The best part is too brief--the psychology of working with the families and the main players. Also, union musicians cost more and are worth it if you are more interested in the quality of the music than in the experience for high schoolers.

Sigh. Yet another bridal book. This one's a real disappointment -- an extended advertisement for hiring a wedding consultant!

"Weddings for Dummies" is a FAR better purchase and has much more valid and useful information. Very down-to-earth and practical.

I'd recommend buying the "For Dummies" title instead, and getting "The Complete Idiot's Guide" from the library, if you really want it.

Though I agree that the "bridal consultant advertising" was a touch excessive, I still found the book to be a lighthearted look at the realities of weddings. I used it in conjunction with other books and it was the only one that lifted my spirit at a time when even happy things become slightly traumatic. This books has done the rounds amongst my friends and family who have gotten married and they all loved it.

I found this book to be a lot of common sense without a lot of fresh ideas. The author is from Indiana and constantly sites examples from that part of the country which didn't help me at all. The constant plugs to hire a bridal consultant become tiresome. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you didn't have a clue about the wedding process.

This book helped me in so many ways. I enjoyed planning my wedding because of this book. It was humorous, informative and had great worksheets. With so many thoughts and ideas flying around in your head when planning a wedding I needed this book to calm me down and bring me back down to earth. I gave this book to a few friends when they were planning their weddings and they loved it. I had a great time reading it. My wedding was more wonderful than I ever thought it would be. Most of the stress was lifted from all the info and humor I rec'd from this book. It was my wedding planning Bible! Although I lent it to friends I always make sure I get it back because reading all the worksheets I filled out brings me back to my wedding day.

I got about 10 books for planning my Big Day. This is the one that is most helpful. It tells you things that other wedding planning books don't tell you: things that the author learned from experience. Other bridal planners & magazines just tell u the basics, the etiquette and the boring stuff. This sets you for the emotion part, too : the way your mom's gonna go crazy, how you'll scream at your fiance, and real life experiences,too. You'd need this if you're not hiring a wedding consultant.

The author spoke only from her point of view, which was Midwestern and Christian. She devoted a huge section to church weddings, and a tiny section for any other kind, which did not help me at all. Also, she kept talking about NOT having a wedding outdoors, which doesn't make any nature-loving bride happy, nor does it give a California bride tips on planning her outdoor wedding. Thirdly, this book doesn't include many ethnic or cultural tips and traditions (except for the tiny part on the Jewish wedding). Try the Unoffical Guide to planning your Wedding or the Dummies book instead.

When my husband and I started planning our wedding early last year, we had no idea where to start. This was the perfect book for us. It gave us the information we needed with a little humor to keep us from completely going nuts. We referred to it again and again for nine months. I even thought about bringing it to the wedding just in case but my husband talked some sense into me. We have since sent the book to a friend who is now using it to plan her wedding across the country. And, my husband and I have now started our own wedding related business because we felt like pros!

Melinda Pajak
www.sandiegoweddings.com

I have done weddings for friends and their friends for 10 years and after being a machinest for 8 years I had finially considered doing weddings full time. I was at my local book store in Salt Lake City, Utah when this bright pink book caught my eye. Scanning through a few pages I was captured by the way Teddy wrote the book as if she was talking to me. I now carry it with me like a Bible. I wrote to Teddy for further information on training in this area and she referred me to the Association Of Bridal Consultants and I am on my way to getting my certificate. I recently talked to her on the phone and she recommended her newest version of the book. It has been updated with the newest fads and photos. Even how to take care of your gown afterwards. I say "Thank You Teddy" A Job Well Done!!! Carol Clark, Celebrations Of Life with D&M Innovations. jamesie7@xmission.com