Synopses & Reviews
Announcing the wedding bible: the most complete, lively, handholding, step-by-step guide to help every couple have a perfect wedding—no matter their budget, taste, or personalities. More than 2.2 million North American couples tie the knot each year; until now, only a mere fraction could work with celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss. But the significant fact is not Ms. Weiss's clientele, but the reason for it: She's so very good at what she does. And now she shares all of her hard-won experience, wisdom, inspiration, and style tips.
The Wedding Book covers everything, in a voice filled with understanding: announcing the engagement, and what to do when someone isn't happy about the news; creating a budget; the pros and cons of destination weddings. Drawing up the guest list; planning the ceremony (and how to personalize your vows); menus to inspire; contracts and wedding insurance. Shopping for the dress, six great hairstyles, tuxedo vs. dinner jacket, the etiquette of invitations. Style tips for flowers, the tabletop, linens; a cake that says "you"; the crucial "Sixty Days Until I Do"; rehearsal dinner strategies; plus freezing the cake and preserving the bouquet.
Today the average cost of a wedding is $25,000—at $19.95, The Wedding Book is the smartest investment a bride-to-be could make.
Review
"Mindy has a wonderful ability to keep a clear head and still get excited about all the tiny details. She was like a fairy godmother! We had only a few months to plan our wedding, but it could not have turned out more special or magical. We both woke up the next morning and wanted to get married again immediately—to each other, of course!"— actress Kate Beckinsale and director Len Wiseman
Review
andquot;Mindy's tips for creating great wedding menus make for unforgettable events.andquot;and#8212; restaurateur Wolfgang Puck
Review
"Mindy made our wedding a fairy tale—stress-free and amazing . . . even though it was in a foreign country!"— Eva Longoria and Tony Parker
Review
"Mindy's tips for creating great wedding menus make for unforgettable events."— restaurateur Wolfgang Puck
Synopsis
The Idea Book.
The How-To Book.
The Everything Book.
Here's the book to lend a hand. The book to help bring your dreams to life. The book that helps you sew up all the details that go into planning a great wedding, no matter how big or small your budget, no matter your age, religion, location, or vision. The Wedding Book is:
• Your fashion consultant, menu planner, etiquette expert, and floral designer.
• An insider source for budget-stretching tips and contract negotiation.
• A shoulder to lean on when sticky family issues come up.
• A stylish friend to bring along on dress shopping trips.
Whatever the subject—cakes, stationary, lingerie, tents, insurance, port-a-potties, party favors, the toasts, looking great in photos, tipping, or thank-you notes—The Wedding Book has the answer. Includes lists, schedules, budgeting tools, and timelines.
About the Author
Mindy Weiss is one of the most sought-after party planners in the country, working with celebrities from Ellen DeGeneres to Heidi Klum to Gwen Stefani to Shaquille O’Neal. She is regularly featured in magazines and newspapers, including People, US Weekly, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Los Angeles Times. She lives in Los Angeles and online at mindyweiss.com.Lisbeth levine is a contributing editor for InStyle Weddings. She lives in Chicago.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1 Spreading the News 11
Creating the Budget 23
A Date & Place 29
Building Your Team 41
The Guest List 59
Planning the Ceremony 69
Making Memories 89
Planning the Menu 103
Music & Dancing 117
Spirits, Wine & Bubbly 129
The Nitty-Gritty 139
Making it Legal 149
The Gift Registry 157
Parties, Parties, Parties 169
Saying Thank You 181
The Dress 191
Dressing the Women 221
Dressing the Men 229
Just Gorgeous 243
The Invitations 267
Creating the Look 287
Favors & Gifts 323
The Sweet Finale 331
The Weeks Before 343
Getting Ready 363
Here Comes the Bride 371
Mr. & Mrs. 381