Vera Wang On Weddings (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For many a bride-to-be, "gown by Vera Wang" conjures an image of style and luxury and above all a feeling of elegance. Vera Wang on Weddings is an examination and explanation of the whole event. from proposal to honeymoon, full of advice and anecdotes. The designer and former Vogue editor says that even though the tradition is centuries old, each wedding is an individual event shaped by those involved, and anything is possible today. Her gowns and design ideas are splendidly displayed in Paolo Roversi's photography, and the photos from her own and other weddings add to the luxurious, intimate feeling of the book. Foreword by Anna Wintour. (Oct. 23)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

The world's most successful bridal gown designer shares her vision for this most important event -- the wedding. Rather than a soup-to-nuts approach with endless lists of what to do, Vera Wang details each aspect of the wedding with her thoughts and ideas, culled from years of experience in the wedding business.

From budgets and bouquets to cake and communication, Vera imparts her wisdom and advice. All the traditional parts of planning a wedding -- invitations, registries, and music -- are included, but what sets this book apart from all the others are the little things she pays attention to. The First Dance. The Bride Who Wears Glasses. Fittings (and weight fluctuations!). The Garter (“Do I Have to Do That?”)

A wedding book by Vera Wang wouldn't be complete without detail on the bride's gown. She explains how to select the right neckline, construction, length, bodice, and waistline for each bride's figure. What fabrics are appropriate for certain times of day. How to choose among a veil, headband, flower blossoms or bows for a headpiece. All of this is accompanied by hundreds of photographs that illustrate Vera's vision.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (October 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688162568
• ISBN-13: 978-0688162566
• Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 10 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #184,849 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lush Design-Solid Content, November 13, 2001

By	style court (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Vera Wang on Weddings is as sumptuous and refined as the designer's dresses. From the sheer white vellum page overlays to the beautiful photographs of flower girls--including her own two adorable daughters--along with reception sites featuring shimmering pools filled with floating candles and flowers, majestic cathedrals, and of course dress after amazing dress, this a design lover's book.
Wang shares her lifelong love of fashion and her personal experience as a bride, but she is not self-indulgent. The focus is on the splendor of brides and weddings in general. Apart from the lush pictures of her clients' weddings, there is an illustrated glossary of dress terms, and Wang offers straightforward opinions on which silhouettes flatter which figure.
Although the book addresses everything from grooms' cakes to the cocktail hour to the morning after brunch, in terms of wedding planning it is mainly an inspiration book that provides a general overview with timeless advice. While it is an excellent fashion resource, some brides may find Martha Stewart's Best of Weddings highlights a wider range of reception ideas--especially for less formal weddings--with more detailed planning tips.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lavish, Elegant, Stylish, Wonderful, November 19, 2001

By	"bridgetjones23" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This is a gorgeous book for anyone who is getting married. Naturally I was most interested to read what Vera Wang had to say on the subject of wedding gowns - and I wasn't disappointed. Every element of the gown is broken down and discussed, plus the section at the very back of the book is an invaluable resource. The photographs are exquisite.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As Luxurious and Elegant as Her Designs, March 7, 2002

By	"eguisheim" (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This book breathes Vera Wang. The team that assembled this clearly understood her design philosophy: deceptively simple, clean lines, creative craftsmanship and of course, finest quality. The book has a large format, about 10" x 14", that showcases the glorious photos wonderfully well. It has the feel of a chic, glossy, fashion catalogue with much more of an artistic edge. For example, throughout the book, there are a few translucent vellum sheets with images of jewels, crystal goblets, or lace veils printed upon them that are beautifully superimposed over images on the following page. Very nice effect that is done occasionally on wedding invitations or programs.

Vera Wang covers not only fashion, but all aspects of wedding planning in nicely formatted, concise text that does not compete with the collages and full-page spreads that are an elegant visual testimony to her own wedding celebration as well as those of celebrities, royals and socialites. There are several familiar photographs of her gowns which were used in ads, but the layout of the book makes them feel larger than life. You can almost feel the buttery satin of an ivory gown and almost see the changing glitter of a crystal beaded bodice in the light. Her appendix includes thumbnail sketches of necklines, sleeves, skirt shapes and veils. She also includes a very practical page on tipping!

In my own planning process, this was my favorite "inspiration" book. Even if you're not getting married, looking at this book is a pleasurable experience from the great cathedral aisles to the lusciously decorated cakes. Actually, this is probably the least expensive way to immerse yourself in Vera Wang style!