Weddings for Dummies [Paperback]

Marcy Blum (Author), Laura Fisher Kaiser (Author)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback) | Publication Date: November 14, 1997

A wedding, whether it's a quiet civil ceremony in a judge's chamber or a pull-out-the-stops spectacle, requires equal parts planning, diplomacy, and nerve. After all, of the three most profound rites of passage – being born, getting married, and dying – getting married is the only one a person might have any say in or be able to remember once it's over. The whole thing can seem overwhelming at times, but do not freak out.

This is not another book filled with strict rules of "weddiquette" or ways of having the perfect wedding. Its mission is to demystify the scary stuff and provide an antidote for befuddled brides, anxious grooms, and frenzied parents and family. Weddings For Dummies is also for those who are planning:

• Engagement parties
• Bridal showers
• A wedding involving children
• An interfaith ceremony
• Renewing your vows

This book can be picked up at any stage of your wedding plans. Rather than laying out a strict chronology, the authors have organized this book according to what makes sense. A wedding can be two years or two months in the making. Either way, success depends on thinking through every detail before slapping down one red penny. This easy-to-understand guide covers the following topics and more:

• Getting organized with timelines and to-do lists
• Choosing your locations
• Choosing the members of your wedding party
• Planning a meaningful ceremony
• Selecting music and entertainment
• Interviewing caterers
• Decorating with flowers, lights, candles, and more
• Finding a photographer
• The marriage license and other technicalities
• Wedding traditions from around the world
• Saving money (and your sanity)

There is, generally speaking, no single right way to plan a wedding. What makes you and your intended happy is the right way for you, and this book is designed to help you create your dream wedding to fit your budget and timeframe. Congratulations!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's hard to imagine any wedding detail that could have escaped inclusion in the pages of Weddings for Dummies. How to build a chuppah, how to anchor a comb in the bride's hair, who dances with whom and when--everything you ever wanted to know about getting hitched is right here. Fortunately, Marcy Blum and Laura Fisher Kaiser aren't afraid to give an opinion or two (there's a list of "Ten Tacky Temptations We Beg You to Resist"), but most of the information is entirely nonjudgmental. It's best to have a much-married older sister plan your wedding, but if you have to do it yourself, this is the perfect book to tell you how.

From the Back Cover

"Paves the way to a happy day." Cele G. Lalli, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, Modern Bride "No one knows wedding planning like Marcy Blum." Ed Koch, former Mayor of New York City Praise for Weddings for Dummies^® "Planning made simple — even fun; from invitations to reception, and everything in between." —In Style "Weddings For Dummies … tells us all we need to know about the subject. Ms. Blum … coordinated nuptials for the Rockefellers, Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon." —Liz Smith, Newsday "Puts a fun and funny twist on planning a wedding while providing sage advice and proven methods." —Atlanta Constitution

Packed with inspiring drawings and color photos

Ready to give up and head for Las Vegas? Let Weddings For Dummies^® come to your rescue! Filled with expert advice from New York's premier wedding consultant, this unique guide unveils everything you need to make your wedding day a success.

Discover how to: Create your wedding-day schedule Scout the perfect location Design your own invitations Plan your reception like a pro Select a caterer and create a memorable menu Stick to your budget without skimping

Get smart! www.dummies.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (November 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764550551
• ISBN-13: 978-0764550553
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #828,501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a princess or an older bride, January 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Weddings for Dummies (Paperback)

I had four months to plan a wedding for 200 guests (my fiance insisted that we do it soon because he didn't want me to wait until next summer to do it), so I had four months to stress instead of twelve. My fiance also would not give me any direction ("If I were to plan it, I would let an Elvis impersonator marry us in Vegas"), and I was working full-time as well. I read those Budget Brides books, but who has time to scavenger hunt for the cheapest dress? I needed some basic help...and fast.

I found Weddings For Dummies *extremely* helpful because I didn't know where to start. This book told me when to contact the photographer, videographer, and reception place, and it gave me tips on questions to ask. The book was an easy--and fun--read. The pictures were gorgeous; I loved what they did with the flowers. After my wedding, I gave this book to a friend who was getting married in the Carribean; she even forwarded it on to another friend!

87 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Weddings for "Rich" Dummies, April 5, 2004

By 

Emily Curcuru - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weddings for Dummies (Paperback)

As far as wedding planning goes, this book is a decent compilation of customs and how-tos for a "typical", $20,000+ American wedding. The writing style can be extremely pretentious and perhaps offensive to brides with small budgets or who wish to have a truly unique ceremony. Buy a few bridal magazines and you'll get most of the information contained herein, and a lot less preaching on the MUST-DOs of nouveau riche etiquette. It doesn't contain much information on cultural weddings, ideas for very individualistic weddings. High brow brides will find it lacking in top rung etiquette and budget brides will likely give up after the first few chapters. There are much better resources out there - www.weddingchannel.com for starters.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely helping to ease this bride's stress, September 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Weddings for Dummies (Paperback)

As a magazine editor who covers the gift book trade, I see all forms of wedding guides. I found this one to be the most helpful, however, because not only does it cover every conceivable detail a bride must consider in planning her big day, the information is nicely organized into different chapters (cake, flowers, caterer, dress, etc.) for easy referencing. Even better, within each chapter, paragraph-length tidbits are marked with icons symbolizing messages such as "Caution!" or "Plan Ahead!", definitely an aid to those dealing with short attention spans or high levels of stress.