Here Comes the Bride... and Her Wedding Books

Posted by Alana T.

Wedding season is starting anew and whether you are planning something soon, or have months to prepare, the library has a selection of books to inspire and assist with every part of the process.  To request any of these titles (most of them new), click on the link &  jump right over to the online catalog.

Style Me Pretty Weddings; Inspiration & Ideas For An Unforgettable Celebration by Abby Larson
Canoes filled with ice and vintage soda, cakes covered in orchids, deer antler arrangements, macaroons and rhinestones.  You get the idea - everything here is VERY pretty.  The book features real weddings with different styles: classic, modern, whimsical, etc.; lots of ideas for the DIY bride and groom.

The New Fashioned Wedding: Designing You Artful, Modern, Crafty, Textured, Sophisticated, Celebration by Paige Appel and Kelly Harris.  As with the previous book, there is plenty here to inspire.  Featuring real weddings, these designers go a bit further and have the couple choose a color palette, write a vision statement and pick key words to describe the wedding of their dreams.

Wedding Cakes by Rosalind Miller.  Everything on these gorgeous cakes is edible... and beautiful.  Plenty of step by step photos for someone who wants to try his or her hand at cake DIY.

The Little Book of Wedding Etiquette by Holly Lefevre.  True, this is a little book, but it is full of all the things you need to know pre- through post-wedding. It covers everything from traditional to modern issues, all organized by topic.

Wedding Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating Love, Marriage, and Anniversaries by June Cotner.  If you are looking for something unique to add to your wedding ceremony, there are plenty of ideas here.  But, if you are just a romantic person and need the perfect thing to say to a friend, family member or loved one, inspiration abounds.

Marriage Customs of the World: An Encyclopedia of Dating Customs and Wedding Traditions, Volumes 1 and 2 by George P. Monger. If you are looking for something interesting to add to your ceremony, or just want to have a fun read, this book is for you.  Perhaps you're thinking of trying a Hen Night (the female equivalent of a stag party) want to include a Petting Stone (a symbolic life obstacle) at the end of your ceremony, or need protection from the Evil Eye; you can find all the details here.

Emily Post's Wedding Ettiquette by Anna and Lizzie Post.  The newly updated 6th edition covers all your wedding questions.  Whether you need to know how to address invitations to or tell everyone the wedding is off, the proper methods are described in detail.

Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers.  If you are a fan of luxurious weddings or high end dresses, check out this coffee table book.  Brides and weddings of note along with drool-worthy dresses fill the pages.  Because this is a Vogue publication, keep in mind that high-fashion is the focus.  The dresses here are over the top and the images are amazing.

If you are feeling swept away by the process, consider commiserating with the contributers of  Altared: Bridezillas, Bewilderment, Big Love, Breakups, and What Women Really Think About Contemporary Weddings by Colleen Curran, a collection of essays by women who relate their real feelings about their weddings and marriage.  All these books lead to another question: has the American wedding become an outlandishly extravagant, egregiously expensive, and overwhelmingly demanding production? One Perfect Day by Rebecca Mead mixes journalism and social commentary to explore the American wedding industry.