An Insanity-Free Wedding: It Can Happen! Getting engaged is exhilarating...until it sets in that a wedding costs three times what you thought, and takes five to ten times the effort it reasonably should. And then there are the expectations: from calligraphy invitations to satin chair-covers, all those things that Must Be Done or everyone will be Horribly Offended. Or will they? A Practical Wedding helps you create the wedding you want-without going broke or crazy in the process. After all, what really matters on your wedding day, what you'll remember 'til you're old and gray, is not so much how it looked as how it felt. In this refreshing guide, expert Meg Keene shares her secrets to planning a beautiful celebration that reflects your taste and your relationship. You'll discover: The real purpose of engagement (hint: it's not just about the planning) How to pinpoint what matters most to you and your partner DIY-ing your wedding: brilliant or crazy? Affording a wedding without having to cut your guest list How to communicate decisions with your family Why that color-coded spreadsheet is actually worth it Wedding Zen can be yours. Meg walks you through everything from choosing a venue to writing vows, complete with stories and advice from women who have been in the trenches, the Team Practical brides. So here's to the joyful wedding, the sensible wedding, the unbelievably fun wedding! A Practical Wedding is your complete guide to getting married with grace.

The wedding planner companion to A Practical Wedding, with all the tools, tips, and strategies to get the celebration you want, on a budget you can actually afford, from conception to reality

A companion to the popular website APracticalWedding.com and A Practical Wedding Planner, A Practical Wedding helps you sort through the basics to create the wedding you want -- without going broke or crazy in the process. After all, what really matters on your wedding day is not so much how it looked as how it felt. In this refreshing guide, expert Meg Keene shares her secrets to planning a beautiful celebration that reflects your taste and your relationship. You'll discover: The real purpose of engagement (hint: it's not just about the planning) How to pinpoint what matters most to you and your partner DIY-ing your wedding: brilliant or crazy? How to communicate decisions to your family Why that color-coded spreadsheet is actually worth it Wedding Zen can be yours. Meg walks you through everything from choosing a venue to writing vows, complete with stories and advice from women who have been in the trenches: the Team Practical brides. So here's to the joyful wedding, the sensible wedding, the unbelievably fun wedding! A Practical Wedding is your complete guide to getting married with grace.

Jim Burns and Doug Fields wish you the very best for your wedding, but sadly, they won't be able to make it. What they are here for is your marriage. Jim and Doug have seen it all. They have worked with many couples and have studied extensively to uncover the essential elements for making marriages thrive. This book is their early wedding gift to you: a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate road map for beginning your union. Filled with premium fuel for the journey—including meaningful exercises, hard truths, and conversations starters—this book will nourish and guide your relationship for the long haul.

From incorporating family rituals and cultural traditions into your wedding to booking a "heritage honeymoon," Viva el Amor is the only book that the Latina bride-to-be will need to plan a fabulous fiesta while celebrating the sacred bond of marriage. With the inspiring ideas, realistic timetables, and practical advice of Viva el Amor, brides and their families will discover -- and rediscover -- the wealth of Latino traditions that add depth and meaning to a wedding ceremony, and find ways to add modern touches. In an entertaining and informative style, Edna R. Bautista explains the significance of such customs as the thirteen coins (las arras) and the cord (el lazo) used in the marriage ceremony, the selection of godparent-sponsors (padrinos) for support during the nuptial festivities, and the Latina-Catholic tradition of carrying three bridal bouquets. All the practical aspects of making the day perfect are here, too, including: Preparing a wedding-planning calendar Setting up a reasonable budget and gift registry Planning a menu of traditional foods Adorning the wedding party in traditional cultural dress and accessories Choosing music for the reception that will appeal to both young and old guests With all the steps involved in planning a customary Latino-Christian wedding or an interfaith one -- from ethnic dances to the toast -- Viva el Amor is indispensable. This bilingual book is all the Latina bride-to-be will need to plan the wedding of her dreams.

Featuring updated prices and the latest trends in tying the knot, this book debunks the myths and provides the tips that help contemporary couples plan the wedding of their dreams. 30 photos and illustrations.

This concise yet comprehensive guide offers highly practical insights and advice to those wanting to plan weddings as a career choice. Chapters take the reader through all the essential steps to creating the perfect wedding, including the clients, budgeting, the venue, the ceremony, food and beverages, stationery and so on. The many business aspects of starting a career in wedding planning are also covered, including marketing and pricing strategy. Written in an engaging and highly accessible style, this guide assumes no prior knowledge of the industry and is ideal for those just starting their careers. Packed full of case studies, activities, example forms, timetables, calendars and helpful checklists, this is a guide that readers will undoubtedly come back to again and again as they gain more experience in the world of wedding planning. Written by a highly experienced ex-wedding planner, this will be invaluable reading for those looking to enter or progress in the world of wedding planning, those already working in the industry, studying an events management programme, or perhaps looking for a career change.