Wedding Planning Resources

Clive Public Library

Planning a wedding is exciting, but can be a little stressful too! Here are just a few of the wedding-related resources available through the Clive Public Library. Check them out if you're just getting started or if you need that one perfect idea!
If you need help finding these items, or are looking for additional suggestions, don't hesitate to ask a librarian.

Planners/General Guidance	Budgeting/Money-saving Tips
Etiquette	Music
Cakes and Decorations	For the Guys

Planners/General Guidance

Best of Martha Stewart Living Weddings / by the editors of Martha Stewart Living.
A large hardcover book with lots of beautiful color photos of cakes, flowers, and more. Also includes planning tips, such as seating arrangements, music ideas, even how to make your own cake!
Clarkson Potter, 1999.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Bes

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Wedding / by Teddy Lenderman.
Gets you started with all the basics of wedding planning in an easy-to-read format. Also includes tips from experts and information about dealing with wedding-related stress.
Alpha Books, 2000.
E-book!*

Cyberbride: the Complete Online Guide to Planning your Wedding / by Denise & Alan Fields.
Very useful and realistic guide, with information about wedding websites and online wedding resources. Includes tips, tricks, and cautions.
Windsor Peak Press, 2000.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Fie

Emily Post's Wedding Planner / by Peggy Post.
A spiral-bound workbook with all the basics to get organized. Includes lots of forms and checklists.
HarperResource, 1999.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Pos

Indiebride.com
Computer Mouse

Indiebride is an online community for the independent-minded bride. It includes a very active discussion forum, with topics ranging from "The Bouquet Toss...and Other Antiquated Traditions" and "Changing your Name" to "Cutting Costs" and "Eloping." There are also humorous (and somewhat irreverent) essays about wedding and marriage topics.

Theknot.com
Computer Mouse

The Knot's useful and popular website includes many planning tips, an online budget calculator and guest list tracker, discussion boards, and more. You can even create your own personalized wedding website to keep guests up-to-date!

Modern Bride magazine.
This wedding planning magazine is issued every 2 months, and includes the latest trends, advice, and tips. Issues from the latest 1 year are kept with current magazines and can be checked out except the most recent issue. Magazines are arranged in alphabetical order.

The Wedding Sourcebook / by Madeline Barillo.
Includes all the basics of planning, as well as sections about legal matters, planning in a hurry, and remarriage.
Lowell House, 1998.
E-book!*

The Working Woman's Wedding Planner / by Susan Tatsui-D'Arcy.
A useful planner for the busy bride, with all the basics, as well as a few updates, such as information about changing your name and a chapter on prenuptial agreements.
Prentice Hall Press, c2000.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Tat

Weddingsolutions.com
Computer Mouse

Put together by a wedding consulting and publishing company, this website includes extensive tips and advice, as well as customizable options such as creating a website, planning checklists, guest list tracker, and more.

Your Wedding Your Way / by Leah Ingram.
A contemporary-themed book with tips for the bride who wants a few non-traditional touches. Includes personal suggestions used by the author and real couples.
Contemporary Books, 2000.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Ing

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Budgeting/Money-saving Tips

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Budgeting for Your Wedding / by Sue Winner.
Useful information about how to create a budget plan and creatively reduce costs. Great tips for working with vendors.
Alpha Books, 2000.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Win
Also available as an e-book!*

The Elegant Wedding and the Budget-savvy Bride: How to Have the Wedding of Your Dreams for Half the Price / by Deborah McCoy.
Full of practical tips to save money while still having a very elegant and timeless occasion.
Plume, 1999.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Mcc

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Etiquette

Bride's Book of Etiquette / by the editors of Bride's magazine.
Includes lots of how-tos, with an emphasis on etiquette. Tips on dealing with remarriages, and other situations.
Berkley Pub. Group, 1999.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Bri

The New Book of Wedding Etiquette : How to Combine the Best Traditions with Today's Flair. / by Kim Shaw, Jan Wilson, Beth Wilson.
Learn how to combine tradition and trends, as well as how to negotiate unique situations.
Prima Home, 2000.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Sha

Wediquette: the Answers to All Your Wedding Etiquette Questions / by Yetta Fisher Gruen.
An easy-to-use resource covering all aspects of wedding etiquette, including difficult family situations.
Penguin Books, 1995.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395 Gru

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Music

The Classic Wedding Collection. (scores)
Solo piano scores for 40 classic wedding songs, 2 selections include words.
Cherry Lane Music Co., 1999.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/786.2 Cla

The Wedding Album. (CD sound recording)
Wedding greatest hits by various artists. 1 CD, 79 minutes.
RCA Victor/BMG Entertainment, 2001.
Location/Call number: Media/CD Misc Wed

Wedding & Love Songs for a New Century. (scores)
Includes 30 contemporary favorites, with piano, vocal, and guitar parts.
Hal Leonard, 1999.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/781.5 Wed

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Cakes and Decorations

The Perfect Wedding Cake / by Kate Manchester, photographs by Zeva Oelbaum.
Guide for choosing a cake, and also includes do-it-yourself tips and recipes.
Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2001.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/641.8 Man

The Wedding Cake Book / by Dede Wilson.
A complete cookbook for creating your own beautiful (and tasty) wedding cake.
Macmillan, 1997.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/641.8 Wil

Wedding Invitations, Announcements, Place Cards, and More: a Bride's Guide to Simple Calligraphy / by Bette Matthews.
Rockport, 2001.
Sample fonts and instructions, as well as how-tos for specific projects like invitations, favors, place cards, etc. Requires practice and patience!
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Mat

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For the Guys

The Best Man's Handbook: a Guy's Guide to the Big Event / by James Grace.
Practical and humorous, this small book includes everything the best man needs to know.
Running Press, 1999.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Gra

The Clueless Groom's Guide: More Than Any Man Should Ever Know About Getting Married / by Peter van Dijk.
Gives him lots of information about what to do and what to expect.
Contemporary Books, 2003.
Location/Call number: New Releases/395.22 Van

The Groom's Secret Handbook: How Not to Screw up the Biggest Day of Her Life / by Anthony Marsh & Jay Blumenfield.
Written by guys for guys, this book is irreverent and hilarious, with tips for him including what not to say and do!
Simon & Schuster, 1997.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395.2 Mar

I Need to Do What?!: a Wedding Guide for the Groom, Best Man, & Ushers / by G.C. Van Deusen.
A handy reference with all the expectations for the guys clearly laid out.
Tryke Books, 1987.
Location/Call number: Non-fiction/395 Van

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*Instructions for accessing e-books:
E-books may be accessed by entering the book's title into the library's online catalog and following the instructions. To use e-books outside the library, you'll need a username and password. Just stop by the library to set this up, then you can use e-books anywhere you access the Internet!