Tips for going down the aisle in dazzling style

REVIEWS BY AMY SCRIBNER

German poet Heinrich Heine wrote, "The music at a wedding procession always reminds me of the music of soldiers going into battle." What a cynic. Fortunately, some writers—namely the three who wrote these lovely wedding volumes—have a more upbeat take on this most special of occasions. Whether you're planning a casual affair or the event of the year, one of these new books will help you achieve the desired result.

Many of today's brides and grooms are looking beyond a traditional church wedding for unique ceremonies that reflect their personalities. They'll find a wealth of ideas and inspiration in Simple Stunning Weddings: Designing and Creating Your Perfect Celebration. Just what is a simple stunning wedding? According to author Karen Bussen, it's a celebration in which the location is key. Bussen focuses on 12 different potential wedding spots, including a restaurant, a vineyard, the beach and a farm.

The lush color photos alone are enough to inspire any bride uncertain about what she wants in a wedding, but Bussen makes Simple Stunning Weddings even more user-friendly by suggesting colors, materials, flowers and general feeling for each locale. For example, the vineyard reception features grape colors, fine linens and a bacchanalian theme. An at-home wedding highlights casual, flea market-inspired table settings and flowers from the garden, such as daisies and tulips.

Bussen has done her homework, explaining the logistics behind booking each type of site: an inn most likely will have off-season times with cheaper rates; a botanic garden is probably public, but might require a donation to use the space. Readers also can purchase a companion workbook with helpful organizational tips.


The royal treatment

While most of us mere mortals could never afford a lavish wedding fit for royalty, we still like to see what one looks like. Preston Bailey, event planner to the stars, indulges the masses with Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings, a gorgeous book filled with truly fantastic wedding designs.

Bailey is the designer responsible for Donald Trump's latest wedding (scheduled for Jan. 22) and the fairytale wedding of Joan Rivers' daughter Melissa. He also did the flowers for Oprah Winfrey's lavish 50th birthday bash.

From the Godiva Chocolate Fantasy to the Hamptons Countryside Fantasy, Bailey spares no expense (and he doesn't skimp on the flowers, either: one rain forest-themed reception features huge pineapples made entirely of roses. In another, towering bamboo shoot centerpieces are topped with orchids).

Yes, it's all very over the top, but Bailey makes it fun with his chatty prose, in which he recounts each event with obvious pleasure. And you can get great design ideas from this book. Bailey makes common-sense suggestions, such as incorporating the design elements of the reception space into the decorations.


Mother knows best

Mother of the bride can be an exhilarating yet somewhat thankless role: Mom helps foot the bill and plan the event, then stands back on the big day in her bland mother-of-the-bride dress. Even Dad gets a first dance with the bride.

In It's Her Wedding But I'll Cry If I Want To, Washingtonian lifestyle editor Leslie Milk puts moms of the betrothed front and center. Milk offers sage advice on a variety of likely hurdles a mother of the bride will face. She also includes several hilarious lists, including five reasons why your daughter doesn't want to wear your wedding dress (reason no. 5: "She thinks it makes her look just like you.")

Milk writes in an authoritative, been-there-done-that tone that is both informative and fun. And about that mother-of-the-bride dress: she even includes a chapter on how to pull off a stylish yet tasteful look.


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