1001 Ways To Save Money . . . and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding – The bestselling guide, updated with new websites and ideas

Sharon Naylor believes that every bride deserves to have the wedding of her dreams. With this new edition of 1001 Ways to Save Money . . . and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding, she arms brides with more than 1,001 proven money-saving hints, tips, and strategies for creating a fabulous wedding without breaking the bank.

Writing with verve and an infectious enthusiasm for all things bridal, Sharon walks readers through every wedding-related event-from announcing an engagement to planning a honeymoon to writing thank-you notes. She reveals where to cut corners and where not to, how to help families and bridal parties save money, where to find free assistance, and how brides can keep from feeling as if they’re shortchanging their dreams just to save a few bucks.

For this revised edition, the author has put together an up-to-the-minute list of Web addresses and contact information for the best on-line, print, and brick-and-mortar bridal sources.

One Stop Wedding Kit – This book covers every detail to make ANY WOMAN’S dream wedding real. Every possibility is addressed, as well consideration of everyone involved in a wedding. From summer weddings to winter weddings – - island weddings to holiday weddings – and everything in between!

Wedding planning is, to say the least, HECTIC! There are so many different things to consider and, often, so many PEOPLE to consider when planning each an every detail of your wedding. Ms. Howe’s book is an excellent step-by-step guide that will keep any bride-to-be calm and confident as she works toward “The Big Day”. It has all the necessary checklists, reminds us of each detail that may otherwise be overlooked, and provides space for a bride (or her fiance) to write notes about her hopes and specifications for the perfect wedding. If you were just given an engagement ring, treat yourself to this excellent guide!

Seldom does a how-to book make one feel whimsical, but this valuable kit proved humorous and uplifting even while providing confidence and assurance for tackling the multitude of tasks associated with wedding planning and production. The books is a thorough, organized, sequential, witty, knowledgeable, beautiful and Joyful how-to manual.

Whether you have been dreaming of your wedding day your whole life or have no idea where to start, this book covers everything you need to know in a fun and upbeat style which absolute anyone can relate to! Features like the checklist of questions to ask wedding planners saved me plenty of time and took alot of pressure off. With helpful tips and practical advice this is a great book to read!

Thirty to Wife: The Tell-All Groom’s Guide to Weddings – How to Get Hitched Without Losing Your Mind or Your Fiancee – You’ve met the perfect woman, you’ve summoned the courage to propose, she actually said yes…now what? Craig Michaels’ Thirty to Wife is a funny and informative wild ride through one soon-to-be-groom’s last month of bachelorhood. Being more of a “let’s elope” kind of guy, but wanting fulfill his fiancee’s dream of a fairy tale wedding, Craig embarks on a crash course in schooling himself on what to do (default), what not to do (habit) and how to stay sane when the wedding plans get out of hand.
Thirty to Wife isn’t just about one guy’s journey; it’s a field guide for all grooms and brides (care and feeding tips included). Navigating the treacherous waters of wedding details (including responsibilities, budgeting, and traditions), Craig shares his triumphs and tragedies in valiant effort to help grooms-to-be avoid making the same mistakes he did. Brides-to-be will better understand what their mates are going through–and will take comfort in knowing that things could be worse.

Beginning thirty days before The Big Day, Craig manages to get himself to the altar without losing his mind–or his fiancee. Charming and chock full of useful tips and ideas, Thirty to Wife will have every prospective groom–and bride–not only laughing in the aisles, but walking down them too.

BAD LUCK
Seeing an open grave, pig, or lizard on the way to the ceremony, or hearing a crow after dawn on the morning of the wedding are all thought to be omens of bad luck. Catching a glimpse of a monk or a nun is also thought to be a omen of misfortune because of their association with poverty and chastity.

BEST MAN TRADITION
Among the Germanic Goths of northern Europe in 200 A.D., a man usually married a woman from within his own community. However, when there were fewer women, the prospective bridegroom would capture his bride from a neighboring village. The bridegroom was accompanied by his strongest friend (or best friend), who helped him capture his bride.

BRIDAL PARTY
This term has many origins from different cultures. In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom had the help of “bridesmen” or “brideknights” to help him capture and/or escort his bride. Later they would make sure that the bride got to the church and to the groom’s home afterwards. The women who accompanied and assisted the bride were called “bridesmaids” or “brideswomen”.

BRIDAL SHOWERS
Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride and her friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare for her marriage. Gift giving at showers dates from the 1890’s.

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
The tradition of bridesmaids dressing the same as each other and in similar style to the bride comes from ancient days when it was believed that evil spirits have a more difficult time distinguishing which one is the bride and putting a hex on her.

CAKE
In the 1st century B.C. in Rome, the cake was thrown at the bride or broken over her head as one of the many fertility symbols which then were a part of the marriage ceremony. Cutting the wedding cake together, still a predominant ritual at weddings, symbolizes the couple’s unity, their shared future, and their life together as one. The three tiered cake is believed to have been inspired by the spire of Saint Bride’s Church in London, England. (See more cake trivia below)

CARRYING THE BRIDE OVER THE THRESHOLD
Traditionally, the bride had to enter her new home the first time through the front door. If she tripped or stumbled while entering it was considered to be very bad luck. Hence the tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold.

DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING
The diamond engagement ring originated with King Maximillian who presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring in 1477 as a token of his love.
The Venetians Popularized the custom during the 15th. century. Since the diamond was the hardest and most enduring substance in nature it followed that the engagement and marriage would endure forever.

DOWRIES
As civilizations developed, political, military, and economic ties became very important to prominent families and clans. Arranged marriages were a means of cementing ties between families, middle class family businesses, and countries. A man’s daughters, who were considered to be his property in those days, provided a means of securing needed alliances with other families. Thus dowries were introduced as a means attracting and securing the most beneficial family alliances possible.