Wedding Blog
Another of my pastimes in Mr. T’s absence last weekend was to read one of the many wedding-related library books I’ve checked out recently. Namely, Well Groomed: A Wedding Planner for What’s-His-Name (And His Bride), by Peter Scott.
Simply put, the book is hilarious! I was reading at a restaurant (note to DC library users — if you check this out and happen to notice blotches of what looks suspiciously like pulled-pork-sandwich grease … I know nothing about it) and laughed out loud so many times the other diners started giving me suspicious looks. When you get to that point in wedding planning when your head is starting to spin and you just. can’t. face. another. wedding. detail, I highly recommend this quick read.
As a wedding magazine junkie, my favorite chapter was naturally “How Can a Magazine Cost $12.95 and Not Have Pictures of Naked People in It?” Seem crazy that the author compares bridal mags to porn? Consider this list from page 3:
Similarities Between Bridal Magazines and Porn Magazines
1. Both contain lots of pictures of women in outfits they don’t normally wear.
2. There are seemingly hundreds of different magazines in both genres, each of which contains exactly the same thing, This fact, however, does not deter you from buying multiple publications.
3. Each gender justifies the purchase as “educational.”
4. The ads in each magazine cause you to say, “Seriously — who would ever buy that?”
5. In a pinch, back issues can be effective.
There are actually dozens of favorite lines and sections that I was tempted to quote here — so hard to pick just one. Instead, I’ll just say “Trust me. Get thee to a library* and check this out asap!”
*(I’m all about libraries. But if you prefer to own, there are 2 copies in the Amazon bargain sale for $4.99. Or the regular Amazon price is $13.22. If in doubt, you can always justify it as a gift for what’s-his-name…)
I’ll post on more of my favorite wedding books as I finish them. What’s your favorite — anything you recommend that we must check out?
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Share this post: Well Groomed, Part II
Haha, Miss Tulip. I agree that all bridal magazines are like porn.
My favorite read was Altared (I think it’s been featured on Weddingbee) but it’s sort of like a grown up Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul. 
They’re real stories and sometimes about unconventional wedding/marriage issues. Really good read.
Miss Tulip, you convinced me! I went and bought the book from Amazon, along with a bunch of other books I’ve been waiting to purchase (I needed to get enough in my cart for free shipping!)
Thanks for the post. Woohoo… our county libraries have four of them on the shelves right now.
I loved the Conscious Bride’s Wedding Planner by Sheryl Paul and bought Organic Weddings for my fiance as a planning gift. I haven’t read Emily Anderson’s Eco-Chic Weddings yet, but it is on my list.
I tried to read the Sweet Potato Queen’s Wedding Planner/Divorce Guide but wasn’t really into it so only got about half-way through it and returned it to the library.
Haha– that book sounds awesome. Thank you for the find! I’m going to buy it and put it in the bathroom– the only place I can expect Mr. Jasmine to maybe read it
I loved Altared too– that’s a really great book for some of the deeper issues women face in marriage. And Jo Gartin’s Weddings is my favorite of all. It’s eye candy galore and they have some amazing (cheap!) ideas.
LOL - that’s great! I’ll have to check it out 
One of my favorites was Wedding Chic. It’s a no-nonsense guide to getting the most for your money without having a ‘cheap’-looking wedding. Here’s the Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/2o2dsk
Hahaha, okay I’m going to have to read that one. The title alone made me laugh.
I just finished a book called “All Dressed in White” by Carol McD. Wallace. It goes through the history of weddings in America from the late 1800’s on. I had no idea where some of the stuff we do today came from.
Favors were only fairly recently introduced in the early 70’s, and it took a while before they were accepted as a part of the wedding since it was expected that the presence of a bride and groom getting married was enough. It’s a great read and isn’t geared towards making you want to buy more stuff.
Ooh, it’s so exciting to have new suggestions for books — thanks everyone! (SoireeLaura, I actually bought Wedding Chic when it showed up as a $5 bargain book on Amazon. Like Miss Flamingo, I’m all about making that free shipping cutoff!! Look forward to finally getting a chance to READ it….)
And Miss Jasmine, I love your bathroom suggestion! ha ha.
Thats hilarious! I love the name. We live right next to the library…I might have to grab that on my way home tonight!
I really like The Knot Guide To Everyday Weddings and I have bought Offbeat Bride for all of my engaged friends. As someone who is not going a completely traditional route, it was nice to read about someone else’s offbeat experience.
I checked out a stack of books from the library, and almost immediately returned everything except “Weddings for Grown-Ups.” I renewed that loan a bunch of times before just buying myself a copy.
On the other hand, the painfully traditional guidebooks for 19-22 year old debutante brides (and their two dozen sorority sisters and their prim and proper mothers) where only the 400 “best” families in town will be invited to the 6-course reception at Daddy’s club and money is no option? Co-me-dy.
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Mrs. Tulip, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Retired
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't Contractor
Engagement Date: August 8, 2007
Wedding Date: March, 2008
Venue: Still Looking!
About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
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