Bridal Bookshop
Bernadette Duncan
While the Wizard of Oz may come in handy in Emerald City, it’s the wizards of weddings you need on the road toward your Big Day. Check out the books below to see the kinds of wedded wisdom they have in store for you: Vera Wang On Weddings by Vera Wang, (Harper Collins, $60) A drum roll please…More than a book, this is Vera Wang’s treasure chest of breathless fashion photographs and practical wisdom. The usual topics are covered (the wedding veil, cake, bouquet, reception, registry, pre-wedding celebrations) but in the most unusual ways. For example, you’ll love the way Wang classifies brides according to their fashion personalities: a sensualist is directed to “an ivory pashmina and a Modernist to a Duchess satin pouf…” All the details and photos are done in unique, elegant Vera Wang style. Learn about flattering dress shapes, proper train length, lace, scents, symbols of flowers, and so much more. Celebrity photos include Peter and Bridgette Sampras, Vanessa Williams and Rick Fox, as well as never-before published shots of Sharon Stone and Phil Bronstein. The Anti-Bride Guide by Carolyn Gerin and Stephanie Rosenbaum (Chronicle Books, $19.95) Thinking about an offbeat, one-of-a-kind wedding? Then this is your kind of book. Offbeat and one-of-a-kind itself, it’s perfect for the bride who wants to put together a wedding the way she wants… So there! Wanna have a garden party? A South Seas Paradise bash? This entertaining book covers a range of theme weddings as well as unique decor, dresses, and reception ideas. The hot-pink cover opens up into seven equally bright chapters, all designed with pockets to store notes. Written in a chatty girlfriend-to-girlfriend style, this guide is stuffed with oodles of highlighted hot tips. It’s guaranteed to make you think outside the box and giggle along the way. Getting Married Without A Hitch by Dona Chernoff Eichner (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $12.95) This book’s sophisticated, smarty-pants attitude will make you laugh while you learn how to deal with dysfunctional family members before the Big Day, train your fiancé, or stay on top of the “Top Ten Rules of Wedding Planning.” For example, Eichner’s Rule #5 says, “Talk to him. Ask your fiancé’s opinion for two reasons. One: You don’t really want to do anything that he finds absolutely repellent. Two: If something goes wrong, you can blame him later for not talking you out of it.” Interspersed throughout the chapters are pitfalls to avoid, popular trends at weddings, and smart questions to ask various vendors. The Language Of Brides (Blue Mountain Press, $14.95) Thinking of writing your own vows? Then bring on the masters for inspiration. Check out this collection of poetry and essays written by the best – both modern and classic voices such as Walt Whitman, Billy Joel, William Blake, John Dunne and more. The handmade paper cover is designed with real flower petals, setting the perfect mood for thoughtful words of love and dedication tucked inside. The topics include the wedding dress, wedding day, the special love shared by the bride and groom, and much, much more. Little snippets of beauty will fill your mind and soul while you read this special collection. 237 Intimate Questions Every Woman Should Ask a Man by Laura Corn, (Harper Collins, Park Avenue Publishers, $19.95) “If your lover wanted to double your pleasure, what two sexy things would be done to you at the same time?” That is one of the many provocative questions posed in Laura Corn’s sexy, wild, and totally uncensored book. Designed with the male brain in mind, (though most questions can apply to both sexes), the playful content was inspired by over 1000 interviews with men around the country. Open to any page: this book will launch an evening of unpredictable, intimate pleasure. Each page features a fun and outrageous question along with a quickie excerpt from sex experts including Masters and Johnson, John Gray, Nancy Friday and Shere Hite. The fun continues when you check the back of the book for popular answers to questions. You’re guaranteed to learn plenty about your guy and partake in new forms of intimacy. The Balanced Bride by Leah Ingram (Contemporary Books, $16.95) The author of five books, Leah Ingram’s latest will inspire a calmer, more focused you. Writing in a soothing, big-sister style, she has collected advice from spiritual leaders, doctors and nutritionists to cover topics such as religion, family planning, and honeymoon eating. Weaved throughout the book are real brides’ dilemmas, making the overall tone seem like an evening out with the girls. Tune into her comforting ideas and organizational skills to help you survive this very hectic time and start new habits for your future.