Book Description

Planning for the big day? Here are the most up-to-date answers to all of your questions in the book from the editors of the acclaimed wedding website, The Knot.

Overwhelmed by the countless questions and details your wedding entails? Don’t despair! The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World takes you step-by-step from your engagement to the big day, from the reception to the honeymoon. Inside you’ll find checklists, worksheets, insider advice, and in-depth sections on:

How to personalize your wedding
Updated wedding etiquette
Creating a realistic budget
Sneaky cost-cutting tips
Dress shopping advice
Tips for working with florists, caterers, officiants, and others
Invitation wording
Vows and ceremony details
Unique wedding customs

Inside Flap Copy

Planning for the big day? Here are the most up-to-date answers to all of your questions in the book from the editors of the acclaimed wedding website, The Knot.

Overwhelmed by the countless questions and details your wedding entails? Don?t despair! The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World takes you step-by-step from your engagement to the big day, from the reception to the honeymoon. Inside you?ll find checklists, worksheets, insider advice, and in-depth sections on:

How to personalize your wedding
Updated wedding etiquette
Creating a realistic budget
Sneaky cost-cutting tips
Dress shopping advice
Tips for working with florists, caterers, officiants, and others
Invitation wording
Vows and ceremony details
Unique wedding customs

ALL NEW SECTIONS ON: Planning Online and Destination Weddings

From the Back Cover

“The chicest ‘wed’ site in cyberspace.” —Vogue

“Don’t get hitched without The Knot! . . . It has help for every conceivable detail before, during, and after the wedding.” —Business Week

“The Knot is a megasource for everything from dresses to tips for the bachelor party.” — Newsweek

“Hip, informal, and humorous, this book includes all the basics of modern matrimony.” — Dallas Morning News

About the Author

Carley Roney is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Knot (www.theknot.com). Her fresh, tell-it-like-it-is approach to weddings has made The Knot the nation’s favorite wedding planning resource, used by millions of couples each year. Carley has taken the hip style and up-to-date advice that made The Knot the #1 wedding website and launched THE KNOT Weddings magazine, five popular wedding books, and a television show, Real Weddings from The Knot. Carley appears regularly on national television shows from Oprah to NBC’s Today to ABC’s The View.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER ONE

The Adventure Begins
There's nothing more fun than the week you get engaged. Having a secret, practically exploding with excitement and anticipation, blurting out the news to your best pals, letting your families in on it all. There are a few details to attend to, but your biggest task right now is to linger on cloud nine!

Engagement Length
When your feet finally hit the ground again, the first thing to consider is how long your engagement will be. It'll depend on a couple of factors, such as your ideal wedding date and how much time you'll realistically need to prepare the wedding of the millennium. A typical engagement lasts from six months to a year, but many couples stray outside those boundaries--if you want to get married next Tuesday or two years from today, do it!

In any case, no matter how long your engagement is, build in some break time from all things wedding-related--you don't want to be drowning in wedding planning every single minute from right now until the big day itself. Granted, your nuptials are about the most exciting thing coming or going, but they're not the be-all, end-all, and you need to remind yourselves periodically that normal life is happening simultaneously. You'll be a lot less stressed out if you take your mind off all things canape, carnation, and calypso from time to time. Your single friends, and those long-married, too, also will appreciate a respite from licking envelopes and hearing about the woes of finding the perfect wedding venue. It will make your life immensely more pleasurable and ensure that you remain healthily grounded in the real world--which is, after all, where you're going to be living once you descend gracefully from cloud nine.

Spilling the Beans
It's time to announce that you're taking the plunge. You could run buck naked together across the field during the live broadcast of the Superbowl, with the words "We're getting hitched!" tattooed across your chests. That way everyone you've ever met will get the news. On second thought, a little decorum can go a long way (and your families will probably appreciate finding out a bit more privately, too).

Where the Words Come From:

*Fiance/e: Old French fiance, a promise

*Betrothed: Be + the Old

English treowth, truth

*Husband: Middle English husbonde, householder

*Wife: Old English wif, woman, or possibly based on Indo-European weip, "the hidden or veiled person"

Talking to Your Parents
Share the news with your immediate families first. Unless your folks are already great friends, your best bet is to tell each set of parents separately so that they (1) will be able to express their emotions freely and (2) won't have to deal with the surprise of the engagement and the possible discomfort of having to hug all their new in-laws simultaneously. Traditionally--if you must know--the bride's family gets first dibs on the news.

The greatest way to let Mom and Dad in on your big secret is together, especially if they know and like your sweetie. Invite them over for dinner, or wait until your next planned get-together, and blurt it out. In your perfect universe, they'll leap from their chairs to squeeze you both, crying for joy. (Of course, if you get engaged on a trip or live far apart and you just can't, by all means, call!)

If your parents don't know your intended, this is the perfect time to organize a visit home. However, we don't recommend introducing your one-and-only and announcing your engagement on the same occasion. If you can, wait at least until the second visit. Otherwise, whether you're pressed for time or simply feeling awkward, it's A-OK to go solo when telling your parents about the engagement; in fact, they may appreciate your discretion.

Likewise, you may want to break the news without your partner if your parents:

*Have a problem with your mate-to-be

*Are over-the-top protective

*Have concerns about your religious or cultural differences

*Have seen you go through one (or two or three) messy divorces

*Are otherwise opposed to the concept of you getting married

"You're probably getting bombarded with questions from all directions. If people keep pressuring you about details, don't get intimidated. Whatever you do, don't forget to enjoy those first few weeks."

--Myrna Ruskin,

New York therapist and marriage-stress expert

If need be, telling them on your own means you'll be able to have it out openly with your folks without dragging your love through any unnecessary and unpleasant stress and strain.

If your parents live on another planet--metaphorically speaking--and you don't quite connect, send them a thoughtful letter. If your parents are divorced, make the time to personally let both sides in on your plans. The bottom line: Do whatever feels right to you.

Kids Come First
If you have children from a previous marriage, they should be your first priority--even before your mom and pop. They're the ones who are getting a new stepparent (and maybe a stepsibling or two), and they'll need some time to get comfortable with the idea of becoming the Brady Bunch. Give your kids lots of undivided attention: The two of you should have a one-on-one-on-one with each child. Also organize a fun stepfamily outing (picnic, bike trip, movie and dinner)--you might find that "the more, the merrier" rule is right on the mark. If not, it's probably just a matter of time.

Whom to Tell First
Don't share news of your engagement with your parents first if they've been negative about your relationship. Instead, turn to people you know will be thrilled. After they've showered you with love and approval, then tell your parents; you'll be fortified for the potential hostility.

Don't let your ex-spouse hear about your engagement from the dry cleaner you still share or, worse, Junior himself. If you have children, letting him or her know is not optional. If you're not on speaking terms, drop a polite note with the news saying you're willing to discuss any worries or concerns, provided the skeletons in your relationship closet stay put.

BILL AND EMILY

Proposed January 7, New York City

WHEN BILL WAS READY to propose to Emily, he wanted to do something creative and romantic, something that spoke to her. The solution was obvious: a crossword puzzle. A puzzle devotee, Emily did the New York Times crossword every day without fail. So Bill called Will Shortz, the crossword editor at the Times, hoping he would agree to play cupid. Shortz liked the idea, and the plan was a go.

On the day the puzzle appeared in the paper, Bill played hooky from work and took Emily out for a leisurely day on the town. They went to a cafe, and Emily, unsuspecting, started the puzzle. Soon Emily said, "Look, my name's in the puzzle." A few minutes later she exclaimed, "Look! Your name's in the puzzle, too!"

Emily says she was skipping around the puzzle, and "it seemed very relevant to our relationship." The giveaway clue was "1729 Jonathan Swift pamplet"--"A Modest Proposal." When she finally looked up at Bill, she just said, "This puzzle!" At that point, Bill got down on his knee and asked, "Will you marry me?" After such a memorable proposal, how could the answer be anything but "Yes"?

Engagement Announcements
You may choose to broadcast the news of your engagement to the masses through a published announcement. Or you may decide to wait and publicize the actual wedding later on. If you're recently widowed or divorced, definitely wait to make the announcement; there's no need to place yourself smack dab in the middle of the gossip circle. You also should hold off on the announcement if you don't know when you're actually going to take the plunge, or if you're already having second thoughts about the marriage. (Some couples' therapists specialize in premarital counseling--go now.)

A Family Tradition
A treasured betrothal custom: the European hope chest. The bride's parents would stock a beautifully crafted wooden chest with linens, knickknacks, and other cozy items for her to take to her new home.

Get the Announcement Ball Rolling
Call your local newspaper, your parents' hometown rag, your alumni magazine, and anywhere else you want your engagement announcement to appear and find out the name of the appropriate editor or department. Ask for writer's guidelines or a standardized form, if available. Also ask if there's a fee for publication.

Typically, announcements mention career details about the two of you, your parents' names and places of residence, and your educational credentials (space permitting). Don't include your wedding date if you haven't quite decided, or if you have decided but want to keep people in suspense. (You could include something like "A June wedding is planned.") Do list the date if you'd rather publicize it now than answer a million "So when's the big day?" questions later. If you're interested, ask if the publication accepts pictures. Some publications only print actual wedding portraits, but if they will accept an engagement photo, get an eight-by-ten or five-by-seven glossy taken of your adorable mugs.

Engagements usually are announced officially by someone other than the Happy Couple (unless they have no close relatives to give the honor to). When composing your announcement, select the textual variations that best reflect your reality, including who will be "sponsoring" (read: "hosting") the wedding and how (dys)functional your family is. Feel free to freestyle, especially if the publication you're announcing it in is hip or humoro...

Review: A good all-around resource
I found this book helpful as I began planning our wedding. I've never been much of a "wedding person," so prior to getting engaged I hadn't spent much time figuring out which flowers I wanted in my bouquet or what color my bridesmaid dresses should be. This book was exactly the crash-course I needed to get oriented and then get to work.

At first the planning was a little overwhelming, but The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World provided a great overview in the first section of the book, before delving into the endless details in the second section. This format works well, and the book is well-organized, with the middle section comprised of chapters on all of the aspects of your wedding: your gown, the ceremony, the reception, music, photography, etc. That makes it easy to find exactly what I need to know depending on what I'm working on at the moment. The third section includes helpful information on all kinds of situations you may face, from spats with your darling fiance, to cross-cultural issues, to managing your future inlaws.

One of the best features of The Knot Guide is that it doesn't assume you know a lot about planning a wedding, but it doesn't talk down to you, either. It includes a lot of helpful illustrations, explanations, and glossaries to help you figure out what different bouquet shapes mean, what kind of cake frosting works best depending on where you're having your reception, and what the different shades of white are when shopping for your gown. Reading this book helped give me the information I needed to communicate effectively with my vendors and "speak their language."

Overall, this book works best as both a guide and a resource--it walks you through everything step-by-step, and is also helpful to refer back to as you progress through your planning. Because of its general nature, it's not the only book I used when planning our wedding, but it is one of the most useful.

Review: A great book to start with
I just started planning my wedding and found this book extremely helpful. It has all the details and steps of a wedding and great ideas for different options for each of them. For every part of the wedding planning I find my self referring to the book to see what exactly I am supposed to do and how early before the wedding I should do it. It also has some creative ideas to reduce costs. The book does not have very helpful checklists and I am using another book for that.




The Best of Martha Stewart Living Weddings (Best of Martha Stewart Living) (Hardcover)
Amazon.com

The maven of all things tasteful, Martha Stewart has impeccable style when it comes to weddings, and The Best of Martha Stewart Living: Weddings compiles the finest ideas from the magazine of the same name. The book is designed to provide inspiration for the big day, whether it is for the ceremony or the reception. Wedding apparel isn't covered, but all of the other significant parts of the wedding are: ceremony and reception decorating, bouquets and boutonnieres, wedding cakes, favors, guest books, music--even storage and display of photographs and other memorabilia after the wedding.

Stewart encourages readers to use the book's ideas as inspiration for wedding elements unique to the bride and groom, and to avoid simply incorporating the book's ideas into their wedding day. She emphasizes that a wedding should reflect the couple's personality and wishes, as well as any customs they choose to follow. There are few rules of etiquette à la Emily Post. Instead, the book provides historical explanations of common wedding traditions, then gives examples of variations on that tradition that couples have decided to use in their weddings. Stylishly arranged color photographs of the bouquets, wedding cakes, reception decorations, table settings, party favors, and more bring the ideas to life; instructions for reproducing them are often provided.

Many of Martha's suggestions are doable even on a budget because they stick to simple, classic design. The reference section at the end of the book includes ceremony and reception planning and seating tips; music suggestions; recipes for cakes, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres; and sources for wedding supplies. The Best of Martha Stewart Living: Weddings should prove a rich source of inspiration for couples looking to add stylish and meaningful touches to their wedding day. --Kris Law

Book Description
"Will you marry me?"

If you or someone you love said yes, let America's wedding experts help you create a day as romantic as the day he asked. For more than a decade, Martha Stewart and the editors of Martha Stewart Weddings have guided brides down the aisle, onto the dance floor, and over the threshold with thousands of ideas for making their wedding day unforgettable. In this breathtakingly beautiful volume, brides-to-be -- or anyone participating in planning this joyous event -- will find ideas and inspiration for every element of a wedding, including decoration, flowers, cakes, food, favors, and photography.

The very best ideas from Martha Stewart Weddings have been organized here in four sections--For the Ceremony, For the Reception, Forever, and For Reference. For the Ceremony is filled with bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, and bridesmaids flowers. There are decorating ideas for every kind of ceremony imaginable -- a classic clapboard church, a grassy meadow, or the family living room. For the Reception features exquisite lighting ideas, a selection of drinks and hors d'oeuvres, charming favors for guests, and, of course, cakes. There are more than 30 cakes to inspire you, and there is one to suit every style, taste, and budget. Novice bakers can learn how to make a basic wedding cake in Wedding Cake 101. Forever includes albums, guest books, and keepsakes. In the For Reference section there is information to help you plan the ceremony and reception, select music, chose stationery, prepare hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, and find supplies to make many of the projects pictured.

Designed to evoke the grandeur with which a wedding day should be celebrated, The Best of Martha Stewart Weddings is the ultimate guide to creating a wedding day as touching as the words "I do."

From the Inside Flap
"Will you marry me?"

If you or someone you love said yes, let America's wedding experts help you create a day as romantic as the day he asked. For more than a decade, Martha Stewart and the editors of Martha Stewart Weddings have guided brides down the aisle, onto the dance floor, and over the threshold with thousands of ideas for making their wedding day unforgettable. In this breathtakingly beautiful volume, brides-to-be -- or anyone participating in planning this joyous event -- will find ideas and inspiration for every element of a wedding, including decoration, flowers, cakes, food, favors, and photography.

The very best ideas from Martha Stewart Weddings have been organized here in four sections--For the Ceremony, For the Reception, Forever, and For Reference. For the Ceremony is filled with bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, and bridesmaids flowers. There are decorating ideas for every kind of ceremony imaginable -- a classic clapboard church, a grassy meadow, or the family living room. For the Reception features exquisite lighting ideas, a selection of drinks and hors d'oeuvres, charming favors for guests, and, of course, cakes. There are more than 30 cakes to inspire you, and there is one to suit every style, taste, and budget. Novice bakers can learn how to make a basic wedding cake in Wedding Cake 101. Forever includes albums, guest books, and keepsakes. In the For Reference section there is information to help you plan the ceremony and reception, select music, chose stationery, prepare hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, and find supplies to make many of the projects pictured.

Designed to evoke the grandeur with which a wedding day should be celebrated, The Best of Martha Stewart Weddings is the ultimate guide to creating a wedding day as touching as the words "I do."

Wedding Invitations (Hardcover)
by Jennifer Cegielski

Editorial Reviews

Book Description
A wedding invitation heralds the good news of two people making a commitment and also reveals the style and tone of that highly anticipated day. Gone are the days when a couple's major decision about their invitations was choosing between white or ecru paper-today's invitations come in an incredible array of materials, colors, textures, sizes, and shapes. And the often complex structure of modern families makes wording invitations a challenge. The first book to fully address these topics, Wedding Invitations takes couples from original idea to finished product, no matter how simple or extravagant their vision.

The book presents both traditional and modern designs, details the many different types of inks, papers, and printing methods available, and discusses how to deal with ceremony cards, response cards, maps, and other enclosures. The text covers all aspects of invitation etiquette, from acknowledging various family members in the most appropriate way, to properly wording inner and outer envelopes. Wedding Invitations offers advice on desktop publishing, working with a designer or calligrapher, papermaking, and doing your own letterpress printing. Since many guests cherish the invitation as a memento long after the ceremony has passed, this is a must-have for the newly engaged. AUTHOR BIO: JENNIFER CEGIELSKI is a writer and editor and the former content director of The Knot. She has covered all aspects of weddings, from gowns to flowers to cakes. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

DANA GALLAGHER is a New York City-based photographer specializing in food, still life, and interiors for clients such as Martha Stewart Living, House & Garden, and Food & Wine.

About the Author
JENNIFER CEGIELSKI is a writer and editor and the former content director of The Knot. She has covered all aspects of weddings, from gowns to flowers to cakes. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

Amazon Reviews

A wealth of information--even beyond the wedding
I have to admit, while planning my wedding I was hesitant at first to purchase a book that seemed to be on only one wedding topic. But being into stationery and typography, I'm glad I took a chance on this one. I wanted our wedding invitation to be really special (we have been together a long time and already have a child), and this book helped us achieve that goal. All the bases are covered, so you really understand what all your options are in a simple, non-overload way. This book is like a "master class", and is great for anybody who is interested in printing, stationery or invitations in general.

Review: A lot of useful information
I'm not sure what the reviewer below was reading because this book contains everything you could ever hope to know about wedding invitations. It's definitely visually attractive, but it's the useful information (even gives you a timeline for you invites to make sure you're on track which I am often not!) that make this a must-have item for anyone about to get married.

Review: Very comprehensive and informative Invitations book!
A must have for the "Bride-to-be" or anyone planning an event. This creative Invitations book covers everything you'll need to know when planning a wedding. It is layed out in an easy to read format w/ stunning visuals of invitations, etc. in a compact book that can be used for a referrence manual year after year.
I highly recommend it!

Review: Gorgeous, useful and a time saver!
This will help you through making all sort of invitation decisions (believe me there are a lot to make, I had no idea before I started) like paper and ink colors and also tell you all sorts of stuff about how to word your own invite to suit your wedding formality level. My invitations are going to be on blue paper letterpressed with brown ink, very elegant yet modern. I never would have thought of that combination had I not picked up this book! I can't wait to get the invitations up from the printer.

Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette: Cherished Traditions and
Contemporary Ideas for a Joyous Celebration (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

Amazon.com
What makes a perfect wedding? "[The bride] and the groom both look as though there were sunlight behind their eyes, as though their mouths irresistibly turned to smiles," wrote Emily Post in 1922's Etiquette. Great-granddaughter-in-law Peggy Post, author of the fourth edition of Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, absolutely agrees with Miss Emily. To ensure those bright eyes and smiles, she imparts thoughtful and commonsensical advice on how to plan for not just your wedding, but for all the social and familial obligations and traditions that a wedding entails.

Unlike many wedding manuals, Post includes advice for the "encore" bride as well as for the new bride. In this day of remarriages and blended families, tact and strategy are often needed to make sure feelings aren't hurt and everything runs as smoothly as possible. A chapter on multicultural and interfaith marriages addresses differing world traditions and how they can be incorporated into a touching ceremony that makes both the couple and their families happy. If you are unsure of who is supposed to do what, Post gives you clear instruction, often including a flow chart that delineates the responsibilities of all people involved in the wedding party (bride's parents throw the engagement party, best man returns the tuxes, flower girl's family pays for her outfit).

Throughout Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette are sidebars with questions asked of Post regarding an amazing array of wedding-related conundrums ("My daughter's fiancé wants to follow his family's tradition of having a money tree at the wedding. I personally find this distasteful; can I say so?"). This is a great book to find the answers for all those sticky questions. All involved in the wedding process should leaf through, get their bearings, smile, and then forge ahead. --Dana Van Nest

Book Description
Peggy Post, America's etiquette authority, presents an indispensable, comprehensive guide to planning and personalizing your wedding. Today's weddings are more complex than ever before, with new traditions and new family relationships to consider. This thoroughly revised fourth edition of the classic Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette addresses countless wedding questions both old and new. With the famous Post blend of sensitivity and practicality, Peggy Post shows how to handle the big decisions and the little details that will make your wedding beautiful to behold and uniquely yours -- and how to carry it off with minimum stress and maximum style.

Three new chapters offer advice on the latest realities of today's weddings, including multicultural ceremonies, encore weddings, and postwedding duties. Expanded sections give guidance on financial matters, working smoothly with wedding consultants and others on your "wedding team," and planning theme and destination weddings. Dozens of at-a-glance lists, boxes, and charts on everything from most-asked questions to creative ideas for personalizing the day are perfect guides for busy brides and grooms.

With this book in hand, a couple can confidently blend the best of classic tradition with contemporary style, making this wondrous event a celebration to be remembered and treasured by all.

Review: Excellent Purchase!
I am studying to be a Wedding/Event Planner and this book is a part of my course study. I loved the material and featured Q&A. The book is very modern yet contemporary at the same time. An excellent buy for anyone planning their wedding or joining the wedding industry.

Review: Panic in the wedding aisle!
Yikes! I am newly engaged, and this book scared the bejebbers out of me! My fiance and I were looking at a simple wedding. This book intends to scare you into looking at more and more elaborate proceedings. Finally, you are at the point where you believe no one but a diety called a "wedding planner" can actually pull off a wedding.

Perhaps it is where I live and my social-economic class, but this book view of etiquette is manners that quickly translates into cash. I literally woke up in the middle of the night when I considered how much everything would cost and how far behind the wedding planning was.

My friends who are married knew what sort of wedding I had in mind and did not hestitate to tell me to send the book BACK.

Review: This massive guide is all-inclusive and brilliant
Not just for Etiquette! This book is an impressive wealth of knowledge and information, and is just loaded with useful information that I've never found in other wedding books, and I've bought and browsed my share of them. You need not worry this book will just repeat information you may already have in other books, this book will complement your collection and give you lots of details you probably won't find anywhere else. It's the wedding Bible. And, although Post is the authority on Etiquette, not only is this guide the only Etiquette helper you'll ever need, it also is a huge help in planning and ideas. You won't find any glossy full color photos in here but this book offers so much those other more "glossy" books don't have. This is a MUST for any engaged couple.

Review: Great wedding resource, more than etiquette.
This is a great book for any bride to be. It includes not only etiquette, but it also has tips. It was especially useful for wording on invitations, and also for the envelopes. A classic!

Review: The only wedding book you'll need!
This books takes the place of so many other books out there, like guides to writing thank yous, guides about religious traditions, what to wear. This book has it all. You're getting about 15 books for the price of one. Emily Post's Wedding Etuiquette guides you from announcing your engagement to friends and family all the way through writing Thank you's and everything in between. It's an invaluable guide for the bride, the groom, the bridal party and even the guests at a wedding! Have you ever wondered how much to give for a wedding? What to wear for a daytime formal wedding? What order to use for the processional? How do you write out an invitation for a same sex couple? What is the appropriate way to write out Thank yous? All of these questions and many more are answered in this thorough, sensible book. It's a great read and very well organized so you will be able to find anything you need. It is a great gift for the bride and groom because its timelines can also be used as a planner. It's also a great gift for the bridal party or parents of the bride because it outlines all of those responsibilities as well. This may very well be the only wedding book you'll ever need, whether you're the bride, the groom, the father of the bride, the maid of honor, or just a guest!

Review: Excellent bridal resource
Read Miss Manners or Emily Post for advice before you throw any major event and you can't possibly go wrong. In this day of Bridezillas and tacky "traditions" such as family-hosted showers, money dances, and registry info in wedding invitations, the astute bride will consult real experts rather than The Knot or Dear Prudence!

Review: A fairly good book
This book is marvelous help in preparing for your wedding day, laying out all the physical aspects of the wedding from A to Z. Sadly, this book doesn't have much discussion on preparing your heart for the day. It is said that a woman looks forward to her wedding day, a man looks forward to the wedding night - both are important, but men often tend to downplay the day's events as they focus on the evening.

Review: Invaluable
An invaluable book to avoid potential wedding/social faux pas. Has guidance from invitations to thank you letters and everything in between. If you're wanting more value for the money, I would suggest "Emily Post's Etiquette (16th Edition or latest)" as it covers wedding (albeit not as detailed), social and business etiquette areas.

Review: Very helpful and incredibly detailed
I decided to get this book because I was struggling with how to make wedding decisions that would potentially upset some people, like not having kids be invited. I was surprised when the book arrived at how thick it is, there is really a wealth of information in it. I like that she gives both a traditional and contemporary view on certain topics, and the sections are clearly marked so its not as though you have to read it from beginning to end to find what you are looking for. I think this book can be helpful even if you're not facing and etiquette dilemma, it makes you think of things you hadn't even thought of. Its also really clearly written.

Review: Excellent Single-Source Wedding Book,
If you only plan on buying *one* wedding guide book, this should be it.
Peggy Post addresses almost every aspect of wedding etiquette in this hefty book. Although you can find most of this information on Internet sites, Peggy Post does a fantastic job of compiling wedding information in one easy-to-use volume.

Book highlights include:

- Exhaustively Thorough Invitation Section
(Example: Outlines specific language you should use if the bride's divorced/remarried parents are jointly hosting the wedding.)

- Engagement Outline
(Example: Gives recommendations for who the happy couple should tell, when, & how.)

- Guest Information
(Example: Discusses gift giving, response cards, etc.)

Peggy Post does an excellent job of conveying information without sounding preachy. She offers recommendations instead of barking standards.

In addition to being a great planning tool, this book is also quite lovely! As such, it would make a beautiful engagement gift.

Highly recommended.

Storybook Weddings: A Guide to Fun and Romantic Theme Weddings (Paperback)

Fifty wedding themes to help a bride create the most unique and memorable event of a lifetime
Storybook Weddings contains detailed instructions on everything the future bride and groom need to create an event that will be remembered well past the couple's golden anniversary. Included are creative ideas for invitations; fashion/costume ideas for bride, groom, and the entire wedding party; decor and special touches for the ceremony and reception; entertainment; and menus. Each special theme will help you design an unforgettable occasion.

Theme ideas include

Love Boat Wedding Cruise, with "life preserver" floral wreaths, decadent buffets, and nautical ideas for favors and entertainment;

Wedding Breakfast in Camelot, with parchment scroll invitations, a fourteenth-century wedding gown, and white horses;

"California Dreamin'" Beach Party, with a beach tent, flower children, and bell-bottoms;

Wedding South of the Border, with piñata centerpieces, a mariachi band, and a Mexican menu;

Wedding on the Orient Express, with a progressive dinner party featuring different "destinations" for hors d'oeuvres, main course, and dessert;

Tropical Wedding Splendor, with a pig luau, tiki torches, and mango leaf centerpieces;

Roaring Twenties Wedding Speakeasy, with passwords, bathtub gin, and "gangster" guards;

"Do as the Romans Do" Wedding Feast, with togas, harp music, and a cake resembling classical architecture.

Review: Wedding Ideas
I found the title of the book to be somewhat misleading. When I actually got it and looked at it much of it seemed to "Fairy-tale" like to be feasable for the common person. It ws nice however to see some of the ideas....I just thought it was more of a book for ideas and tips to make a wedding perfect.

Review: Storybook wedding dreams can come true...
Every bride has a vision of a dream wedding. Up until a few years ago, tradition would not allow a bride to fulfill that dream. Today, a bride can have any type of wedding that she desires and with this book she can create her dream wedding. Robin Kring, a professional event planner and super writer has so beautifully outlined the details and nuances of dozens of themes--one just right for any bride's storybook wedding. For the bride or wedding consultant, this book will be a valuable asset.

Review: Exciting, practical guide to wedding planning using themes
Storybook Weddings is a comprehensive guide to using a theme for your wedding. It offers so many choices that any one can find one (or more) that they will love! I especially liked the detail provided.

Review: Full of great ideas and themes!
This book is packed with creative themes for wonderful, fun weddings. Kring goes out of her way to make your wedding easy to plan. Listed in the back are dozens of resources from all over the country where you can buy everything you need to make your wedding wonderful. If you want to plan a theme wedding, this book is a must!

How to Plan an Elegant Wedding in 6 Months or Less: Achieving Your Dream Wedding When Time Is of the Essence (Paperback)

From Library Journal
Wedding guide author Naylor (The Mother of the Bride Book, Carol, 1999) speeds up the planning process considerably, arguing that most brides do all the planning and booking in about one month anyway and then spend several months (possibly a year) defending or rethinking those decisions. However, she clearly states, expediting a wedding does not necessarily cut costs. Though Naylor provides a unique planning time line, her information on the big day and its surrounding events is just practical, organized advice applicable to many couples not just those on a tight schedule.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Plan the Perfect Wedding In Half the Time!

Book Description
Plan the Perfect Wedding In Half the Time!
It really is possible to take care of the countless details and madness leading up to your big day and create the event you always envisioned—even with the clock ticking. And you can enjoy doing it!
Wedding expert Sharon Naylor gives an array of creative tips, clever shortcuts, and priceless secrets to make planning your wedding seamless. You will discover how to:
-- Save time and money and reduce stress while maintaining elegance
-- Organize and prioritize for maximum efficiency
-- Find the perfect ceremony and reception locations on short notice
-- Have fun and enjoy planning under a time constraint
-- And much, much more!

"A smart, comprehensive guide to planning a wedding quickly and easily. Every engaged couple should own this invaluable resource!" —Diane Forden, editor in chief, Bridal Guide Magazine

From the Inside Flap
Plan the Perfect Wedding In Half the Time!
It really is possible to take care of the countless details and madness leading up to your big day and create the event you always envisioned—even with the clock ticking. And you can enjoy doing it!
Wedding expert Sharon Naylor gives an array of creative tips, clever shortcuts, and priceless secrets to make planning your wedding seamless. You will discover how to:
·Save time and money and reduce stress while maintaining elegance
·Organize and prioritize for maximum efficiency
·Find the perfect ceremony and reception locations on short notice
·Have fun and enjoy planning under a time constraint
·And much, much more!
"A smart, comprehensive guide to planning a wedding quickly and easily. Every engaged couple should own this invaluable resource!" —Diane Forden, editor in chief, Bridal Guide Magazine

From the Back Cover
Plan the Perfect Wedding In Half the Time!

About the Author
Sharon Naylor, a wedding expert and an accomplished author in the wedding industry, has written six books and also had her articles published in Bride's, Woman's Day, Better Homes & Gardens, and Good Housekeeping. Sharon lives in East Hanover, New Jersey.

Review: You must have this book
I borrowed this wonderful book from our public library, and I liked it so much I've asked for it for Christmas. If I don't get it, I'm buying it for myself! Lots of good ideas for cutting out those unnoticeable extras that can cut into your budget. Written in a fun, easy-going and sentimental style, it's a quick read that will leave you excited about planning your wedding!

Review: This Book Is Sweet Relief
It's like having a calm, savvy friend who wants to save your life. Immediately, Naylor de-stresses the planning process, making it clear how even last-minute planning can be done without making you wonder why you got engaged in the first place. The book is full of real insider tips and secrets, such as what day and time to visit a florist so you can REALLY see if they're right for you, and how to make sure the videographer's lights won't leave your guests squinting through all the important stuff (who knew?!?) I especially liked all the anecdotes and advice she included from actual weddings, to help you get an idea what you do and don't want at your own wedding (and to help avoid disasters). Overall, this is the real thing -- full of very good, practical advice.

Review: Dr. Spock for the Bride-To-Be!!!
Run, don't walk, to your nearest book supplier and soak up Naylor's extensive knowledge before you even THINK of taking the big step. The author wears many hats...efficiency expert, bridal consultant, & psychologist among them...and takes you step-by-step through every phase of the planning process needed to have the wedding of your dreams. This is Dr. Spock for the bride-to-be!!!

Review: Outstanding planner!!
The pressure's on when you only have a few months to get all the planning done. Naylor's book nails it! Gave me lots of pointers and things I never thought of before. Set it all out for me. Super job! It's going to be a regular engagement gift that I'll give all my friends....

Review: Time is running out!
We didn't have a lot of time to plan my cousin's wedding, but this book gave us great insight in a format that was both readable and informative. Ms. Naylor knows her subject. Too bad I am already married. But seriously, if you know of anybody who got a recently got a ring and will soon get another- this book is a great engagement present.

Wedding Invitations, Announcements, Place Cards, and More (Paperback)


Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Although engraved invitations have become standard for weddings, cards printed by hand are always in good taste. Most people do not have the handwriting skill for hand printing, so they fake it with a computer script or hire a calligrapher. This book has classic calligraphy instructions for those who would like to try it themselves, with a little practice first. Several types of alphabets are included, with detailed instructions on strokes and layout. A section on wedding etiquette has useful information on invitations, thank-you notes, and place cards, with photographs of many examples. An excellent book for public libraries. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Bette Matthews is the author of The Wedding Workbook, Cakes (For Your Wedding), Wedding Toasts and Vows, and the upcoming A Wedding for All Seasons. She has worked as an event consultant and stylist with a New York caterer, and is in the early stages of a start-up venture designing and producing handmade wedding invitations. Bette lives in New York City with her husband, photographer Antonio M. Rosario, and their two cats.

Excerpted from Wedding Invitations, Announcements, Placecards, and More : A Brides Guide to Simple Calligraphy by Bette Matthews. Copyright © 2001. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Calligraphic Wedding
“You’ve dreamed about this day your entire life. And as you move further and further into the planning process of your wedding, each and every detail seems to grow in importance. Small elements combine to create a full-bodied effect.

“The written word has great prominence in wedding festivities. It may be in an obvious capacity, such as invitations, place cards, or menus. Or it may be something less noticeable, such as a favor tag, the name on a guest book, or a handwritten note on a gift basket sent to a guest’s hotel room. The opportunities for beautiful lettering are vast. Calligraphy can enhance your writing at its core.

“This book provides a basic introduction to calligraphy and some of the multitudes of lettering styles—some simple, others more complex. The instructional opening chapter offers an overview of tools, materials, and technique. The chapters that follow are divided into overall styles: Classic, Elegant, Romantic, Modern, and Artistic. These divisions are purely subjective, so don’t feel as if you have to confine your imagination. With a little thought or with minor changes, your alphabet of choice can be translated to any project in the book. Calligraphy is versatile and transcends any classifications we impose upon it.

“The projects in this book incorporate a full range of wedding concerns, from engagement to post wedding activities. Invitations, envelopes, and place cards are the most obvious items with which calligraphy is typically used. There are also ideas for gift tags, guest books to record good wishes, programs, and more. The quality of your finished product will be affected by the quality of your materials, so choose fine papers, ribbons, and flowers for these projects, and you won’t be disappointed.

“The last section of the book is the gallery. This is a showcase of professional work from experienced calligraphers offered to inspire you. Each of these pieces is created by an artist who learned the craft one step at a time, just as you are about to do.

“Practice, relax, and enjoy the learning process. Above all, let your own character, your own vision, and your own penmanship shine on the page. Don’t strive for perfection; strive for personality.”

Review: With This Book, You Can Do It
With this book -- and a lot of practice -- I was able to do the calligraphy for my daughter's wedding.

The book includes a number of romantic alphabets in styles from Celtic to modern, forms for invitations, many examples of custom woprk, and step-by-step instructions for projects ranging from favors to menu cards to guest books. There are also suggestions for working with a professional calligrapher.
This is a practical book for anyone planning a wedding.





Easy Invitations: Use Your Home Computer to Create Stylish Stationery for Weddings, Birthdays and Other Occasions (Paperback)

Book Description
Easy Invitations, Announcements, and Personalized Stationery is the ultimate guidebook to creating invitations and personalized stationery using a home computer and printer.
This book provides design ideas and instruction for creating professional quality, customized invitations and note cards using card stock, envelopes, and other readily available stationery. Use it as a standalone guide or in tandem with PrintingPress software by Mountaincow, which offers easy stationery layout, photo tools, a built-in address book, and hundreds of templates and graphics.

Easy Invitations, Announcements, and Personalized Stationery features original ideas for major life events such as birth announcements, traditional and modern wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, milestone birthdays, anniversary parties, and coming of age celebrations. It also includes ideas for thank-you notes, personalized stationery, informal get-togethers such as dinner and cocktail parties, a wine tasting, and even a romantic picnic for two. This book offers tips for making any party distinctive with creative and easy place cards, menus, gift tags, and favors.

Includes bonus CD-ROM with 3 fonts and 70 illustrations

About the Author
Patty Hoffman is the director of Communications at Mountaincow, a software maker that specializes in customizing invitations and stationery using a home computer. She has written about crafts, lifestyle, and entertaining for numerous magazines, including Seventeen, Family Circle, and Details.

Megan Eisen, CEO of Mountaincow, has written PrintingPress and many other software applications. She is an expert in graphic design and has created a wide variety of stationery and original fonts and graphics for invitations. Her stationery is featured in upscale stores such as New York’s Kate’s Paperie.

Josh Eisen, president of Mountaincow, has written PrintingPress and many other software applications. He is an expert in the use of computer technology for custom invitation printing and has been quoted in Greetings, Etc magazine.

Easy Invitations, August 30, 2005
Reviewer: Sarah OBrien - See all my reviews

This is an awesome book. I've been making cards on my computer for years, and I found this book very helpful. After reading it, I purchased the Mountaincow Printing Press Platinum CD. They are both fantastic. The fonts are the best, and I also like the graphics. I have learned some very helpful things about using my computer to expand the possibilities for making cards that end up looking extremely professional. I'm a perfectionist, and this book and CD met all my expectations.
Sarah

Review: Design Invitations, Thank You Notes and Stationery
Whether you want your wedding to be traditional or nontraditional, you want it to be personal and one way to achieve this is to design and print your own invitations, thank you notes and stationery on your computer. This book written by Patty Hoffman, Megan Eisen and Josh Eisen is just what you need to inspire and jump-start your creativity. But this book is not only about weddings.

The book is sectioned by topics covering the most important events in our lives including weddings, births and birthdays, seasonal and celebrations. Each section begins with a case study and personal story about the real people that are the inspiration behind the sample projects. Each section has sample projects which are discussed in depth explaining what type of papers, inks, images, fonts and design layouts were used and why. Although the authors are associates of Mountaincow, a software and stationery company; the book is written so that you can use any software you might already own. This book does not have step-by-step instructions for using graphic and printing software. The purpose of this book is to inspire your creativity for designing your own invitations and stationery.

Throughout the book the authors show you how to decide on a theme for your special occasion and how to apply that theme to everything including invitations, place cards, party favors and thank you notes. They place special emphasis on designing your own monogram with or without their company's PrintingPress software and choosing the perfect graphics and fonts to include in your designs.

Besides the eighteen projects, the book also has a Tools and Techniques section that covers everything from choosing paper, inks, and a printer to how to compose the message for your invitations. The authors also discuss their PrintingPress software. Although this software was not included on the accompanying CD, the CD does contain decorative borders, fonts, images and project layouts in the PrintingPress software format.

Patty Hoffman is director of communications for Mountaincow and author of several craft and lifestyle articles. Megan and Josh Eisen are co-owners of Mountaincow and the authors of the PrintingPress software.

Review: Great Gift
What a great book. Easy to follow, full of original ideas and examples, and it makes a perfect gift for friends into scrape booking, entertaining, and basic design. I've already bought four extra copies - to my friend's delight!

Review: Wedding Stress
I found this book to be very useful. I am planning a low budget wedding reception and this book gave me great ideas for low cost/creative invitations. I also thought the software was very user friendly.

The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions : Readings, Rituals, Music, Dances, and Toasts (Paperback)

Amazon.com
When planning for the big day, it's very easy to get caught up in beaded white dresses, boutonnieres, and how many platters of mini crab cakes to order, but the most important part of the wedding is the most-often overlooked--the ceremony itself. A wedding ceremony can vary hugely depending on the religious (or not) beliefs of the couple, their cultural backgrounds, and their personal preferences. The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions can help you sort through all the choices and come up with just the right vows and music for you and your intended.

Do you want the traditional "I, so and so, take thee, so and so, to be my lawfully wedding husband/wife before God" or do you want a looser style: "I love you. And I look forward to being your friend and companion, your wife/husband and lover for life"? Carley Roney, author and editor-in-chief of The Knot (www.theknot.com), strongly suggests taking a stab at writing your own vows, but if that's just too much, cull what you like from the many different styles--from Buddhist to Quaker--offered. Readings can be from the Bible or other spiritual writings, from poetry or even song lyrics. A diverse selection of writings and excerpts are included as are a lengthy lists of songs and music for before the ceremony, the processional, the recessional, and the first dance (everything from Bach's "Brandenberg Concerto No. 4" to Martina McBride's "I Love You").

Also included here are chapters on the wedding program, ring exchanges, and speeches and toasts. Interspersed are stories and pictures of real couples and how they arranged their wedding day. Meant as a jolt to your imagination, The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions helps you to put a very personal touch on an age-old ceremony. --Dana Van Nest

From Publishers Weekly
Without letting a lot of fluff get in the way of the facts, wedding expert Carley Roney makes available "readings, rituals, music, dances, speeches and toasts" in The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions. Third in her wedding guide series, and culled from her online experience as founder of theknot.com, this guide is a resource for classy concepts ranging from the conventional to the hip, and drawing on a broad array of cultural traditions. Photos.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The editors of one of the most popular wedding planning web sites have collected vows, readings, rituals, music, and suggestions for programs, speeches, and toasts to help couples create a wedding that truly expresses their feelings for each other and their special guests. Selections are gleaned from a number of cultures and religions, and a bit of historical background is provided for many of them particularly those related to the ceremony. The comprehensiveness of this work, its emphasis on timeless selections, and the name recognition from the book series and web site will make it a popular guide.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
“[The Knot has] all the help you need to plan the wedding of your dreams.”—Time

“The Knot has the most attitude–and often funny, spirited, don’t-be-afraid-to-do-it-your-way voice.”—San Francisco Examiner

“[The Knot is] a mega source for everything from dresses to tips for the bachelor party.”—Newsweek

“[The Knot is] a one-stop destination for everything a bride and groom need.”—Detroit News

Review
?[The Knot has] all the help you need to plan the wedding of your dreams.??Time

?The Knot has the most attitude?and often funny, spirited, don?t-be-afraid-to-do-it-your-way voice.??San Francisco Examiner

?[The Knot is] a mega source for everything from dresses to tips for the bachelor party.??Newsweek

?[The Knot is] a one-stop destination for everything a bride and groom need.??Detroit News

Book Description
From the #1 wedding Web site and the author of The Knot Complete Guide To Weddings In The Real World, a comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect words and music for your wedding.

In her third book in The Knot series, Carley Roney has created a complete guide to wedding vows, toasts, and readings that is the perfect resource for wedding couples, bridesmaids, best men, and parents alike. Drawing on wedding traditions and customs from around the world, The Knot Complete Guide To Wedding Vows And Traditionsincludes real-world information on:

—Vows, from the traditional "to have and to hold" to creating your own
—Rituals from a variety of traditions–breaking the glass, cutting the cake–and their history and significance
—Toasts, from the classics to advice on writing your own, as well as toasting etiquette and tips on choosing your toastmaster
—Readings, spanning various customs and heritages, poetry and prose, plus sources for finding your own selections
—Music–complete lists of popular options to help you chose the perfect songs from the processional to the last dance

Inside Flap Copy
From the #1 wedding Web site and the author of The Knot Complete Guide To Weddings In The Real World, a comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect words and music for your wedding.

In her third book in The Knot series, Carley Roney has created a complete guide to wedding vows, toasts, and readings that is the perfect resource for wedding couples, bridesmaids, best men, and parents alike. Drawing on wedding traditions and customs from around the world, The Knot Complete Guide To Wedding Vows And Traditionsincludes real-world information on:

- Vows, from the traditional "to have and to hold" to creating your own
- Rituals from a variety of traditions?breaking the glass, cutting the cake?and their history and significance
- Toasts, from the classics to advice on writing your own, as well as toasting etiquette and tips on choosing your toastmaster
- Readings, spanning various customs and heritages, poetry and prose, plus sources for finding your own selections
- Music -complete lists of popular options to help you chose the perfect songs from the processional to the last dance

About the Author
Carley Roney is Editor-in-Chief of The Knot, the nation’s leading online wedding resource, where she offers real-world wedding advice to millions of to-be-weds through The Knot Web site (www.theknot.com), The Knot Wedding Gowns magazine, and The Knot Wedding Pages, a regional bridal magazine sold across the U.S. She has authored The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World and The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner and has appeared regularly on NBC’s Today show and other media outlets.

Words for the Wedding : Perfect Things to Say for the Perfect Wedding (Paperback)

Book Description
Nearly 2.5 million couples will walk down the aisle in 2001 and each couple will want to find the perfect words to make their wedding as eloquent as it is elegant. Fathers and mothers of brides and grooms, bestmen, maids of honor, friends, and family will want to find a creative way to express the sentiments of the day. This book will show them how.

With hundreds of classical and contemporary poems, quotes, quips, and blessings to choose from, no one involved in the wedding celebration will be at a loss for words. And, unlike other guides, Words for the Wedding takes readers beyond vows and explains (with examples) not only how to make a great toast but how to use quotes inventively for pre-wedding parties, invitations, receptions, and more! A must-have guide for anyone involved with a wedding.

About the Author
Wendy Paris is a freelance writer in New York City. She has written for Bride's, Modern Bride, The Knot.com, Glamour, Self, and other publications.

Review: A mixed resource
Lots of quotations in this book -- many too short or of dubious distinction to include in a wedding ceremony (do you really want to quote a TV or movie character in your wedding?? I don't). The material unique to this volume seemed as if it would be much more useful as humorous or thoughtful snippets to use in the wedding program or toasts. The poetry and short readings are largely selections that you can find elsewhere (many of them the usual suspects), so the real contribution of this book is in the more popular cultural references mentioned above, if your sensibility tends that way.
The thematic/contextual organization is strong and fairly comprehensive -- covering not only the ceremony, but also other kinds of "words" performed at a wedding, such as toasts. I'd suggest using this book with a more substantive and original anthology, such as Into the Garden.

Review: From Romantic to Raucous
After I read a lot of these type of books in preparation for my own wedding, I selected this one because of its wide range of time periods, subjects, and types of quotes and selections. Words for the Wedding is perfect if you're interested in a good read with lots of fun, inspiring, or romantic shorter selections for incorporating into other places such as programs, favors, personal vows and toasts. I will admit though, that I did not like many of the longer pieces as much as the shorter ones.

Review: Really useful
This is a great book; packed with a huge variety of quotes, poems, excerpts. Perhaps my one complaint is that many of the quotes are too short to be used as readings, if that's what you're looking for. But overall the book uses a wide range of creative sources (movies, love letters, poetry, plays, etc.) and will give you lots of ideas and starting points for elements of your own wedding.

Hosting Wedding Parties (Hardcover)

Book Description
From showers to receptions to bridal teas, you'll find everything you need to toast the happy couple in style. HOSTING WEDDING PARTIES offers the inspiration and the how-to instructions for planning and hosting unique wedding-related theme parties that will be remembered for years to come. Each party is beautifully photographed to show every detail, from handcrafted invitations to exquisite centerpieces to thoughtful and unique party favors. Decorations and specially crafted accents are explained in step-by-step instructions, yet all party elements are easy and affordable! Also included are complete party menus with easy but delicious recipes, along with suggested table settings and beverages. A special section on entertaining help includes etiquette tips, floral arranging ideas, and more. Whether you're the maid of honor, the mother of the groom, or the bride herself, this book has the details you need to plan the perfect party.

Just look what makes this book a must for your collection:

** Covers a wide range of parties, not just showers! Includes parties for rehearsals, engagements, and receptions.

** Perfect for anyone involved in a wedding - the maid of honor, mother, father, grandparent, bridesmaid, groomsman, uncle, or aunt.

** Contains complete menus and recipes for each party.

** Features easy and affordable party plans that don't require weeks of preparation.

** Includes a special section on etiquette tips, floral-arranging ideas, table setting, and more.

** It's the best book you'll find on the subject. Most "shower" books are one color, and don't have recipes. This one is full of full-color photos that help you make your wedding party a smash.

Bright White
This shade is the ultimate in white, very crisp, pure and bright!

Card
Invitation cards do not fold, your wording is printed on the front.

Deckle Edge
An uneven, feathery edge on a piece of paper is called a deckle edge. This edge is most commonly found on parchment invitations; however, other papers may also have deckle edges and will be noted in descriptions.

Die-Cutting
The process of using sharp metal rules to cut shapes and designs into paper. Die-cutting includes cutout shapes and sculpted edges.

Double Envelopes
The traditional set of two envelopes is used with formal invitations and announcements. The outer envelope is addressed to the guest and may have your (the sender’s) address printed on the back flap. The inner envelope, with the invitation and enclosures is enclosed inside the outer envelope. The inner envelope carries only the guests’ names. The inner envelope is available with a coordinating liner; it is not gummed and is not sealed.

Ecru
This color is a warm creamy beige.

Embossing
Embossing is like blind embossing above, only this type of printing uses ink or foil on the raised area to add drama and dimension.

Foil Stamping
This effect is achieved when colored foil is hot-stamped onto paper (perhaps a Christmas card) or accessory items, such as napkins.

Folder
Invitation folders are folded once, either to create a top or side fold. Your wording is printed on the front.

French-Fold
A sheet of paper folded twice to create a four-paneled invitation is considered French-folded. This fold is most common with parchment invitations.

Layers
This term indicates layers of paper tied or glued together. If the top layer is translucent and the lower is decorative paper, you’ll see a muted version of the lower layer through the translucent top.

Liners
This term refers to the decorative paper used to line the inside of an inner envelope or a single envelope.

Panel
A panel is the center section of your invitation “framed” by a raised area of paper. It also refers to pages facing each other. For example, a tri-fold invitation when opened fully, has a left, middle and right panel.

Parchment
This translucent paper is made to look like original parchment. This distinctive paper adds a softening effect to any invitation.

Pearlize
The process that applies a luminous pearl-like finish to part of an invitation, usually to an embossed design, is called pearlizing.

Short-Fold
A short-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded once, not exactly in half, forming an invitation with a short front panel and longer back panel.

Thermography
This type of printing is created by adding a resin powder to wet ink, which when heated, creates a raised surface.

Tri-Fold
A tri-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded twice to form a three-paneled invitation. Both outside panels are folded inward to cover the center panel.

Vellum
Vellum is a paper with a rich, smooth finish paper.

White
This shade is a soft white, like wedding gowns. It is a delicate hue.

Z-Fold
A z-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded twice in accordion fashion to form a three-paneled invitation.

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