Vera Wang On Weddings
(Hardcover)
From Publishers Weekly
For many a bride-to-be, "gown by Vera Wang"
conjures an image of style and luxury and above
all a feeling of elegance. Vera Wang on Weddings
is an examination and explanation of the whole event.
from proposal to honeymoon, full of advice and anecdotes.
The designer and former Vogue editor says that even
though the tradition is centuries old, each wedding
is an individual event shaped by those involved,
and anything is possible today. Her gowns and design
ideas are splendidly displayed in Paolo Roversi's
photography, and the photos from her own and other
weddings add to the luxurious, intimate feeling
of the book. Foreword by Anna
Book Description
The world's most successful bridal gown
designer shares her vision for this most important
event -- the wedding. Rather than a soup-to-nuts
approach with endless lists of what to do, Vera
Wang details each aspect of the wedding with her
thoughts and ideas, culled from years of experience
in the wedding business.
From budgets and bouquets to cake
and communication, Vera imparts her wisdom and advice.
All the traditional parts of planning a wedding
-- invitations, registries, and music -- are included,
but what sets this book apart from all the others
are the little things she pays attention to. The
First Dance. The Bride Who Wears Glasses. Fittings
(and weight fluctuations!). The Garter (“Do I Have
to Do That?”)
A wedding book by Vera Wang wouldn't
be complete without detail on the bride's gown.
She explains how to select the right neckline, construction,
length, bodice, and waistline for each bride's figure.
What fabrics are appropriate for certain times of
day. How to choose among a veil, headband, flower
blossoms or bows for a headpiece. All of this is
accompanied by hundreds of photographs that illustrate
Vera's vision.
Review: Makes Itself Helpful By Presenting
Each Aspect Of A Successful Wedding In Minimalistic
Sections.
This book became the Bible of a certain bride I
knew when she was getting married in a VERY big
service and I was one of her friends involved early
on in much of the planning. We had about three other
mass market wedding books as well as a hired advisor/planner
but those were quickly cast aside in favor of this
one. Soon more faith was placed in this book than
in tomorrow's sunrise. "What's Vera say about..."
became the catch-phrase of the season.
Vera Wang and her staff not only create
beautiful wedding dresses, but they know the occasion
of wedding from A to Z. Fair warning, this book
does pre-suppose that some serious money is going
to be invested in the service and reception, but
for those who are planning a once in a lifetime
event they want special in every way, I know of
no other source I'd put more faith in than this.
Everything is compartmentalized and arranged so
that the important aspects merit more attention
than those that can simply wait till later. I also
liked the "take it easy, things will be all
right" message that kept popping up almost
subliminally in the little reassurances that were
scattered about. Those were really appreciated by
those of us who were dealing with a perpetually
freaked out bride, and in a few cases, made a real
difference.
I'm in favor of something more minimalist
when it comes to weddings, but for those who want
an elaborate service and don't mind spending a lot
of money to get it, then this is a book that prove
worthwhile more times than you'll be able to count.
Review: Elegant Fabulousness
Beautifully presented... a wonderful showcase of
blissfully simple yet incredibly elegant gowns...
also features glimpses into fabulous famous brides
& their weddings.... very inspirational &
truly lovely ....
Review: A beautiful
coffee-table style book with some helpful info.
As other reviewers have said, this is a gorgeous
book. It's very oversized--larger even than most
coffee-table style books--and has lovely pictures
throughout which cover every aspect of wedding celebrations.
Included, of course, are many samples of Wang's
own work as a bridal gown designer as well as photos
from her own wedding. As a wedding planner, however,
this book is less useful. Although Wang does include
her own commentary, some of which is interesting
and helpful, there really isn't enough information
for the book to be used as comprehensive planner.
Furthermore, the organization of the book is somewhat
confusing, as it does not follow a typical wedding
planning chronology. Despite these issues, brides-to-be
and others are likelyto enjoy this book, if only
to "look at the pictures."
Review: Very lovely
it is, but not very useful
This book is a beautiful piece of publicity for
Vera Wang but the scope of content is rather myopic.
I enjoyed seeing the brides Vera Wang has dressed,
but was pretty disappointed with the amount of actual
content for those planning a wedding. The book as
a graphic piece is exciting and wonderful; the use
of overlays is ethereal. But if one is trying to
get to the details of wedding planning in anything
but a very formal city affair, one should seek a
different resource. The guidelines are far too sparse
in this one.
Review: Not only astonishingly
beautiful, but astonishingly useful
Fashion mavens know Vera Wang as the designer behind
the wedding gowns of such famous folk as Karenna
Gore, Sharon Stone, Kristi Yamaguchi, and more--and
VOGUE readers throughout the 1980s and early 1990s
remember that she served on the editorial staff
there. But those who consider Wang to be little
more than a dress designer--however talented a dress
designer she may be--will be not only pleasantly
surprised, but astonished at Wang's accomplishment
in the form of this book. "Vera Wang on Weddings"
just may be the only wedding book any bride will
ever need. Clocking in at nearly 300 pages and a
hefty 10" by 13.5", this is a substantive
book not only in size and weight, but in information
as well.
Expecting Wang to help you out on choosing a gown?
She doesn't stop there. She gives you the benefit
of her vast wedding experience on topics ranging
from choosing engagement and wedding bands to coordinating
flowers with other decorative elements at the wedding
and reception to wedding cakes to music to the formality
inherent in wedding ceremonies held at different
times of day and in different types of venues. Her
expertise is enormous and detailed, but she doesn't
pelt you to death with bits of information--the
lay-out is such that it's easy to pick and choose
what you want to learn more about without being
deluged with other information.
There is information here that I've
never seen in another "bride guide." Sure,
it's easy enough to find out all the different veil
lengths if you want--ranging from fingertip to cathedral
to royal and every length in between--but what other
book shows you, in detail, the twenty-six (twenty-six!)
different types of necklines? Or the twenty-three
different types of sleeves? What other book takes
into account different personal styles in such a
clear-eyed manner (asking the reader if she is a
modernist, a minimalist, a traditionalist, and so
forth)? Wang covers second-time brides, pregnant
brides, military weddings, and even gives every
bride permission to relax no matter what her age
or any other status: "White is always appropriate."
And so it is.
The book couldn't be handsomer. Harper
Collins did Wang proud by having art and design
director Bridget de Socio in charge of the book.
It's clear that an enormous amount of thought and
effort went into making "Vera Wang on Weddings"
not only useful--first and foremost--but a feast
for the eyes as well. The paper is heavy and creamy--subtly
echoing perhaps the duchesse satin of a bridal gown--interspersed
with occasional sheer pages. The sheer pages feature
lovely photographs of all kinds of different items,
from slender kid leather gloves to sparkling rings
to butterflies and rose petals. Through these photographs,
you then see the next page of regular paper. The
effect is transforming, and subtly echoes the manner
in which a sheer bridal veil helps put into motion
the age-old metamorphosis from woman to bride.
Review: Delicious
Vera Wang presents weddings that make you want to
find YOUR GUY right away. If you are already married,
it may fill you with regrets. The layout is large
and inspiring. In terms of details, you will be
happy. I do agree about using the vows and song
in Ken Agori's novel (carried by Amazon). I understand
a CD is available and Celine may record it...Vera
will make you a romantic, even if you're cynical
Review: As Luxurious
and Elegant as Her Designs
This book breathes Vera Wang. The team that assembled
this clearly understood her design philosophy: deceptively
simple, clean lines, creative craftsmanship and
of course, finest quality. The book has a large
format, about 10" x 14", that showcases
the glorious photos wonderfully well. It has the
feel of a chic, glossy, fashion catalogue with much
more of an artistic edge. For example, throughout
the book, there are a few translucent vellum sheets
with images of jewels, crystal goblets, or lace
veils printed upon them that are beautifully superimposed
over images on the following page. Very nice effect
that is done occasionally on wedding invitations
or programs.
Vera Wang covers not only fashion, but all aspects
of wedding planning in nicely formatted, concise
text that does not compete with the collages and
full-page spreads that are an elegant visual testimony
to her own wedding celebration as well as those
of celebrities, royals and socialites. There are
several familiar photographs of her gowns which
were used in ads, but the layout of the book makes
them feel larger than life. You can almost feel
the buttery satin of an ivory gown and almost see
the changing glitter of a crystal beaded bodice
in the light. Her appendix includes thumbnail sketches
of necklines, sleeves, skirt shapes and veils. She
also includes a very practical page on tipping!
In my own planning process, this was
my favorite "inspiration" book. Even if
you're not getting married, looking at this book
is a pleasurable experience from the great cathedral
aisles to the lusciously decorated cakes. Actually,
this is probably the least expensive way to immerse
yourself in Vera Wang style!
Review: Complete, but
for the vows and music...
check out Katherine's wedding scene in Defenders
of the Holy Grail (skip the rest of that novel if
you want). Really, Wang's book is very thorough
and will help you, although it's a bit pricey....
Review: For those who
expect the best
This book is a must have for those who enjoy weddings
and the celebration that surrounds them. Ms. Wang
not only provides a detailed description of the
perfect wedding but also shares her insight on receptions,
invitations, guest lists, flowers and bridal jewelry.
The second half of the book is devoted to the construction
of wedding finery and gives the reader a glimpse
into the House of Vera Wang.
Review: Lavish, Elegant,
Stylish, Wonderful
This is a gorgeous book for anyone who is getting
married. Naturally I was most interested to read
what Vera Wang had to say on the subject of wedding
gowns - and I wasn't disappointed. Every element
of the gown is broken down and discussed, plus the
section at the very back of the book is an invaluable
resource. The photographs are exquisite.
Review: Lush Design-Solid Content
Vera Wang on Weddings is as sumptuous and refined
as the designer's dresses. From the sheer white
vellum page overlays to the beautiful photographs
of flower girls--including her own two adorable
daughters--along with reception sites featuring
shimmering pools filled with floating candles and
flowers, majestic cathedrals, and of course dress
after amazing dress, this a design lover's book.
Wang shares her lifelong love of fashion and her
personal experience as a bride, but she is not self-indulgent.
The focus is on the splendor of brides and weddings
in general. Apart from the lush pictures of her
clients' weddings, there is an illustrated glossary
of dress terms, and Wang offers straightforward
opinions on which silhouettes flatter which figure.
Although the book addresses everything from grooms'
cakes to the cocktail hour to the morning after
brunch, in terms of wedding planning it is mainly
an inspiration book that provides a general overview
with timeless advice. While it is an excellent fashion
resource, some brides may find Martha Stewart's
Best of Weddings highlights a wider range of reception
ideas--especially for less formal weddings--with
more detailed planning tips.
Review
What a fitting tribute to a classic American designer.
Vera Wang has forever changed the way we see our
brides with her elegant and graceful designs. It's
wonderful to see that someone still believes in
the glamour and whimsey that accompanies, what for
many people, is the most beautiful expression of
love. The photography is a marvel and the cover
is surely bound to turn heads. It begs the question
of who is the woman under the veil and leads to
this next: Who took the cover photo? I was saddened
to not find the credit for this extraordinary photo
and feel that someone should get credit for this
wonderful piece of art. All in all this will grace
many coffee tables of the would be, soon to be and
already betrothed of this land. A beautiful addition
to anyone's collection, that triumphantly speaks
to the magic of a wedding.
Review: breathtaking
This book belongs in your collection if you love
beautiful things.The design of the book gets a 10.Put
it on your coffee table it certainly does not belong
in a book case it needs to be enjoyed and experienced.Vera
capures the very essence of what a wedding, is the
fairytale without the tackiness.the photograpers
seem to capture the heart and soul of all the couples
featured.There is a section at the back that features
her garments-beautifully shown in black and white-they
are art forms on their own.Buy it for someone this
christmas and see how they respond(they will love
you)
Review: Vera Wang has
outdone herself again and again...
As an event designer, Ms. Wang's book is the most
thorough, simple and elegant book I have ever read
pertaining to the topic of weddings. She has covered
all the important topics that every bride is curious
to know. I enjoyed reading every page and admired
every picture. The book was so good that I'd finished
it in one sitting. Since then, I'm still admiring
the book and have re-read all the topics 5 times.
She is an amazing designer to say the least. Ms.
Wang is no doubt the leader in the wedding gown
design industry. A must have for every bride-to-be
to read and enjoy before her wedding day. Everything
about the book is elegant and chic, just like the
clothes she designs. Ms. Wang, you are uncomparable!!!
How to Buy Your Perfect Wedding Dress (Paperback)
IT'S TIME TO BUY THE DRESS OF YOUR DREAMS!
Every year, Kleinfeld helps more than
five thousand brides find the perfect look for the
biggest day of their lives. Women from all over
the world flock to the famous Brooklyn store to
choose from among their vast selection of gowns
and take advantage of the expertise of their renowned
staff of bridal consultants. This book takes you
through every aspect of that unparalleled experience
so that when you finally buy your wedding dress,
you will be thrilled with your choice.
Let the owners of Kleinfeld help you
define the style that best suits you -- be it classical,
romantic, or contemporary -- and that is most appropriate
for the season and setting of the wedding. Their
detailed advice covers:
WHAT DRESSES ARE BEST FOR SPECIFIC BODY TYPES, INCLUDING
SILHOUETTE AND SKIRT LENGTH
COLORS, FABRICS, AND DECORATIONS, FROM THE SIMPLEST
UNADORNED SILK TO LACE WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS
ACCESSORIES -- INCLUDING THE VEIL,
SHOES, GLOVES, JEWELRY -- AND UNDERGARMENTS
WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR WEDDING DRESS
SHOPPING TRIP AND WHETHER OR NOT TO BRING MOM
WHAT TO EXPECT AT FITTINGS
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GOWN BEFORE AND
AFTER THE WEDDING
Whether you're getting married on
a beach or in a cathedral, whether you want to look
sexy, chic, or like a fairy princess, How to Buy
Your Perfect Wedding Dress can help all your dreams
come true.
Review:Quite insightful!
"How to Buy Your Perfect Wedding Dress"
by Ronald Rothstein, et al, basically deals with
the the selection of a wedding dress. The authors
went into details of what dresses are suitable for
what body types and they touched on factors such
as the silhouettes, sleeves or no sleeves, trains,
the back, necklines and bodies. They also provided
information on accessories such as veils, shoes,
lingerie, and gloves which are quite helpful to
the bride-to-be. In addition, the authors also gave
advice on where to get the wedding dresses, and
how to take care and preserve the them.
I think this is a useful book to have for those
(including me) who have no idea of how to select
the right wedding dress. The authors provided basic
to very detailed information that I think would
be good to have before actually selecting a dress.
At the very least, I learn some useful terminologies
that will help me when I actually want to talk to
the wedding consultant.
Bridal Couture: Fine
Sewing Techniques for Wedding Gowns and Evening
Wear (Paperback)
Amazon.com
Though ostensibly a how-to manual on wedding gown
construction, this magnificent book teaches all
about advanced dressmaking skills, and its principles
can be applied to creating many other types of haute-couture-style
gowns. The very thorough text details all aspects
of fabrics and construction: the unique characteristics
of each type of fashion fabric, including extensive
information on manipulating lace; preparing the
muslin mockup (a necessary first step to ensure
a perfect fit); adjusting the bodice, sleeves, and
skirt and joining them all together; adding ornamentation;
and handling bustles and trains. The final chapter
presents all the specifics of making four gowns
of different styles. The novice and even the advanced
sewer will learn much here, and perhaps best of
all, pattern-drafting experience is not required--the
author works her transformations on purchased patterns.
If you're ambitious enough to make your own wedding
gown, this book is absolutely essential, but even
if you're hiring someone else to custom-make your
gown, you'll find this an invaluable guide. And
anyone pursuing a dressmaking career should have
this important reference work on the shelf. --Amy
Handy
Review: bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques
for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear
This is a very good book with all the details you
ever want to know on how to sew a wedding gown.
I would recommend it.
Review: fine techniques
but out of date style for Europe
If you have a strong interest in making bodices
this is a good book to add to your collection.
For me, the only problem is the limmited amount
of techniques being described.
Susan Khalje for me is someone who really knows
what she's talking about, but she seems a little
conservative. ( style wise ) Then again, i'm European
and i have this problem with more books from the
us.
But, i am glad i have bought it.
Review: A MUST HAVE
for all sewing enthusiasts
I bought this book never having heard of the author
before. I was fairly "blown away" by the
high quality of the information offered, the wonderful
works shown and the fact that this author obviously
cares about those who will use her book. She provides
her readers with some of the best, complete and
accurate information I have ever seen written in
a book. The reader (in this case me) knows that
she/he is being provided with information of the
highest standard, the author doesn't withhold important
facts and obviously loves what she does as seen
in the quality work she produces. Sewing from the
soul.
I don't do Bridal Sewing but am interested in Couture
Sewing. This book is one of the finest on the subject.
I highly recommend it.
Review: Everthing I
hoped for!
As an experienced amateur seamstress I was looking
for a book that would guide me through both designing
and sewing a wedding dress for my 6'3" daughter.
This book was exactly what I needed to accomplish
my goal. Step by step I was able to complete each
part of the gown. The final product was stunning
and much of the beauty of the gown was because of
the construction techniques on the inside that no
one would know about eg. lining the fabric (bodice
only) with white baby flannelette and treating it
as one piece. The beautiful, smooth, princess seams
were perfect. In reading the details and applying
them to my situation I was able to create a lovely
gown. With a good sewing background, a passion for
perfection, love for my daughter and her dream dress
AND this wonderful book it was everything I had
hoped for and would highly recommend it.
The Wedding Dress (Hardcover)
Review: Beautiful Quotes
The book has various photos of gowns dating back
in history and until now, some photos are more wedding
snapshots. It has a little bit of history behind
the wedding dress and what i found the most exciting
was that on every second page was quotations about
celebrating love and marriage. I found the quotations
more interesting than the photos themselves.
The Knot Book of Wedding Gowns [BARGAIN PRICE]
Book Description
What's the real difference between an $800
gown and an $8000 gown? Is Dupioni better than Duchesse?
When do you need a crinoline, and what is a crumb
catcher? From the creator of the #1 online wedding
resource, The Knot Book of Wedding Gowns provides
the answers to these questions and thousands more.
The perfect gift for a bride-to-be, this lavishly
illustrated book--more than 250 color photographs
and illustrations--tells her everything she needs
to know about the single most expensive and important
piece of clothing she will ever own. The only fully
comprehensive book on the subject, The Knot Book
of Wedding Gowns dissects the construction of the
dress; profiles the numerous styles; defines and
illustrates hundreds of varieties of fabrics, laces,
embellishments, and accessories; and provides straightforward
counsel on which cuts work best with which fabrics,
and what styles look best on which body types. In
addition, informative sections explain how and where
to search for a dress, how to pull everything together
to achieve the perfect look, and how to care for
the masterpiece when the wedding is over. Fascinating
bits of history throughout unveil the traditions
and significance of this most important piece of
clothing.
Review: Just ok.
The book is okay for casual browsing but
it not imformative enough to use as a reference
guide. I would have liked to have seen more discussion
of various styles and types of gowns for various
ceremony settings, body types, time of year, etc.
Not to mention, the dresses used as examples are
not very current or fashion forward; they appear
rather dated. And the use of mannequins to display
the gowns rather than actual models I found to be
very cold and impersonal. It is rather boring to
read and gives more a broad history lesson of wedding
gowns than something an actual bride can use to
assist her in her gown search.
Review: Great for learning
the basics
As someone who didn't know anything about wedding
dresses, I really loved this book. It describes
all of the basics -- dress silhouettes, bodices,
skirt shapes, fabrics, etc., including illustrations
-- and discusses which types look best on different
body shapes. It also explains the different types
of fabrics, details, and train lengths. I am sure
that this knowledge will be really helpful to me
when I go dress shopping. The bridal shops have
so many types of dresses, that it is nice to be
able to narrow down my choices a little beforehand.
Review: Alright I guess...
This book was okay, I would suggest reading through
it in a bookstore. No need to spend the money.
Review: best book I've seen
Great pictures and good explanations of how to shop
for and what to look for in a gown. It helps you
understand why they cost so much!
Bridal Gowns: How to Make
the Wedding Dress of Your Dreams (Paperback)
Review: A Good Guide, But Know How to Sew
I was toying with the idea of making my own dress
and bought this book. The author is very knowledgeable
and the text is well-written. However, if you are
a novice you do not want to ACTUALLY attempt a dress
without either a.)guidance, or b.)other books to
walk you through. This is written for those who
truly understand patterns and sewing. However, if
you don't sew it is a great book to understand what
things you should be looking for if you are having
it made by a dressmaker, and the types of fabric/necklines/veils,
etc. If you're expecting a step-by-step this is
not the book for you.
Review: Wonderful!
Well written, clearly illustrated, great on all
the details. Obviously written by a pro who is very
creative! Highly recommended even if you don't plan
to sew your own--you will get lots of ideas to have
the perfect dress made for your special day!
Review: New to the Game
This book seems to be very helpful. It is very detailed
about the different types of fabrics to be used
with suggestions of ease for each material. The
section on lace is also very good. The section on
headpieces is rather scimpy, though. I only wish
that there were more color pictures of actual gowns
(there are two), lace, and headpieces. Overall,
this book gives you the confidence to go out and
actually design your own dress and then to make
it. (I'll update my review if I have gone over my
head.)
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