Customer Reviews

The New Book of Wedding Etiquette: How to Combine the Best Traditions with Today's Flair

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

FINALLY! A book that doesn't assume I work as a designer for Martha Stewart Weddings. It offers guidance to all with such wonderful common sense (which I've found all TOO uncommon in today's wedding guides!) This book does not tell the bride that she can do anything she wants becasue after all it's HER day. Ms. Shaw comes straight to the point and tells you the truth. Just like a best friend. Only this best friend knows exactly how to word the invitations and seat the groom's family. And this book is actually funny! The examples of faux pas are excellent reminders of just how ridiculous and childish people can get when it comes to weddings. This book will help you make your day special, AND help you expertly manage the delicate situations that will surely arise along the way. Above all, its humor will remind you that weddings are supposed to be fun. This is a great gift for a bride-to-be.

I am getting married in July and my sister is getting married in August. She is my maid of honor and I will be her matron of honor. She bought a lot of wedding ettiquette/planning books that we have both been consulting, and this is by far the best. The author has obviously been involved in planning many weddings, from the most elaborate to the most simple, and she offers great advice. A must-read for the bride who wants as many personal touches as possible, but also wants to know what's acceptable -- and what's not. A very funny read, as well!

This wedding book is very well done. The best part of the book is the fact that it uses humor. In an age when weddings have become the focus of obsessive mothers and brides that are out of touch with reality, Shaw uses humor to foucs on keeping the wedding tasteful and nice. The book is full of tons of practical advice. The use of humor makes it very readable for grooms!

This is a great guide. It's complete, from planning to the event to afterward. I don't agree with 100% (I'm having black bridesmaids' dresses, so there!) but it talks about the reasons for most customs and has little asides about various questions and customs. A very good guide, not stuffy, practical. :)

I bought this for my our soon to be daughter-in-law. I wanted to give her something that would help, but not be pushy. I have not read the book myself, but from what I have heard it is wonderful.

Having read "Miss Manners' Guide to a Surprisingly Dignified Wedding" as well as this, I strongly recommend the former in lieu of the guide in question. In general Kim Shaw's book contains solid guidance on wedding etiquette, however much of the content reads as a copy of Amy Vanderbilt's classic early etiquette books, and at moments her style and tone approaches that of Miss Manners, but Shaw falls very short of Miss Manners' characteristic wit and verve. Additionally, Shaw's text makes frequent and presumptuous reference to the bride's parents funding the wedding expenses entirely, which (as a self-sufficient and older bride-elect) I find grating and outdated - and I have not encountered this presumption in other etiquette guides (namely Miss Manners - though perhaps her consummate correctness simply disallows the mention of money altogether ;).
In summary: Not entirely worth the money, and there are more informative, entertaining, and well-written wedding etiquette guides on the market.

I discovered this book when I was planning my wedding about 3 years ago. I ordered about 15 different wedding prep books when I first got engaged but this one was my favorite out of all of them and the one that I went back to again and again for help. Now I actually buy it as a gift for all of my friends who get engaged. It has lots of specific advice that is very useful when planning a wedding of any size - large or small. I love the info about how to address envelopes to a host of different family combinations and the ideas for the wording of invites/programs/thank you cards etc. There is so much more than just papery help included. There are also ideas for the order of the processional, info about cakes and flowers, and info about what sort of place settings work for different types of meals you might choose to offer. Another thing that makes this book a winner is the fun prose. It is quite humorous and is sure to make everyone laugh! Some of my favorite sections are the dos/don'ts for different members of the wedding party. When I was a bridesmaid last summer I got my copy back out again to make sure I was doing everything I was supposed to as I helped the bride get ready. This is a fabulous book! I can't recommend it highly enough. If you only get one book to help you plan your wedding this is the one I would suggest!

This is an awesome book. Full of great information! As a first time wedding planner, this book has given me step by step instructions. Highly recommended!!!