The Best of Martha Stewart Living : Weddings [Hardcover]

Martha Stewart Living Magazine (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The maven of all things tasteful, Martha Stewart has impeccable style when it comes to weddings, and The Best of Martha Stewart Living: Weddings compiles the finest ideas from the magazine of the same name. The book is designed to provide inspiration for the big day, whether it is for the ceremony or the reception. Wedding apparel isn't covered, but all of the other significant parts of the wedding are: ceremony and reception decorating, bouquets and boutonnieres, wedding cakes, favors, guest books, music--even storage and display of photographs and other memorabilia after the wedding.

Stewart encourages readers to use the book's ideas as inspiration for wedding elements unique to the bride and groom, and to avoid simply incorporating the book's ideas into their wedding day. She emphasizes that a wedding should reflect the couple's personality and wishes, as well as any customs they choose to follow. There are few rules of etiquette à la Emily Post. Instead, the book provides historical explanations of common wedding traditions, then gives examples of variations on that tradition that couples have decided to use in their weddings. Stylishly arranged color photographs of the bouquets, wedding cakes, reception decorations, table settings, party favors, and more bring the ideas to life; instructions for reproducing them are often provided.

Many of Martha's suggestions are doable even on a budget because they stick to simple, classic design. The reference section at the end of the book includes ceremony and reception planning and seating tips; music suggestions; recipes for cakes, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres; and sources for wedding supplies. The Best of Martha Stewart Living: Weddings should prove a rich source of inspiration for couples looking to add stylish and meaningful touches to their wedding day. --Kris Law

Product Description

"Will you marry me?"

If you or someone you love said yes, let America's wedding experts help you create a day as romantic as the day he asked. For more than a decade, Martha Stewart and the editors of Martha Stewart Weddings have guided brides down the aisle, onto the dance floor, and over the threshold with thousands of ideas for making their wedding day unforgettable. In this breathtakingly beautiful volume, brides-to-be -- or anyone participating in planning this joyous event -- will find ideas and inspiration for every element of a wedding, including decoration, flowers, cakes, food, favors, and photography.

The very best ideas from Martha Stewart Weddings have been organized here in four sections--For the Ceremony, For the Reception, Forever, and For Reference. For the Ceremony is filled with bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, and bridesmaids flowers. There are decorating ideas for every kind of ceremony imaginable -- a classic clapboard church, a grassy meadow, or the family living room. For the Reception features exquisite lighting ideas, a selection of drinks and hors d'oeuvres, charming favors for guests, and, of course, cakes. There are more than 30 cakes to inspire you, and there is one to suit every style, taste, and budget. Novice bakers can learn how to make a basic wedding cake in Wedding Cake 101. Forever includes albums, guest books, and keepsakes. In the For Reference section there is information to help you plan the ceremony and reception, select music, chose stationery, prepare hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, and find supplies to make many of the projects pictured.

Designed to evoke the grandeur with which a wedding day should be celebrated, The Best of Martha Stewart Weddings is the ultimate guide to creating a wedding day as touching as the words "I do."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter (December 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609604260
• ISBN-13: 978-0609604267
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 11.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #26,904 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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  Books > Home & Garden > Weddings > Planning

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

134 of 140 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars truly the best of ANY wedding!, December 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Best of Martha Stewart Living : Weddings (Hardcover)

I enjoy books that give you ALL the information that you need to complete a project. I look for details and instructions that truly explain, and not just gloss over, the knowledge base necessary. This reference guide will not disappoint you; actually, this guide will inspire you to have the ability to do it all! The subject matter is complete! There is not a area which has not gone uncovered. You have a wonderful encyclopedia of information that covers everything from the simplest of wedding concerns to the most detailed. This is most evident with the cakes chapter; if you are unable to explain to your caterer or baker, or even to yourself, how to do this, then I don't where else to send you for information. The photography is crystal clear, which is another trademark of the perfection of the Martha Stewart empire. Her motto is "everything has to be perfect" and it is. I have yet to be disappointed in any of her publications and I doubt I ever will. So attention all brides, hope-to-be brides, caterers, bakers, florists, and anybody else with an appreciation for a good book; this is something that will inspire you and once again, give you pause to pay homage to the queen.

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the money!, February 1, 2000

By	Kris - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Martha Stewart Living : Weddings (Hardcover)

I debated buying this book for a few months. After all, I'm pretty creative and artistic, so could a book (an expensive one at that) really have that many new ideas? But I must admit, from the moment I picked it up, I was impressed. Elegantly bound, with thick, quality paper pages and stunning photography, it is a pleasure to simply thumb through... but for those planning a wedding, it is pure gold! Complete with ideas for almost every part of the wedding, recipes, detailed instructions... it even has a timeline wedding planner, music list and other helpful resources. I am so glad I finally gave it a place on my shelf... my only regret is that I can't afford to buy a copy for each of my bridesmaids as well! :)

46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EYE-CANDY for the bride-to-be!, May 22, 2000

By	"rbot" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Martha Stewart Living : Weddings (Hardcover)

Beautiful and inspiring, this book is full of great ideas. A must have for the bride-to-be, or even a young lady just dreaming of her future wedding. Pages 23-95 primarily focuses on the use of flowers for decorations, the bouquet, the boutonniere-- beautifully simple and practical enough for you to request to your florist. Though flowers are adorned throughout the book, candles, wedding cakes, invitations; details of a fantasy wedding are all attended to. This book is filled with many gorgeous pictures! My fiancé bought it for me for our Anniversary and I can't put it down. It really is a must have.