Kim Shaw - The New Book of Wedding Etiquette: How to Combine the Best Traditions with Todays Flair

E tiquette is defined as conventional requirements regarding social behavior as established in any class or community or for any occasion. This broad characterization doesnt address specifics needed by those planning a wedding, such as whether dyed-to-match bridesmaids shoes are more correct than nice strappy black sandals, or what the proper wording for a formal invitation is, or how to exclude your second cousins freeloading boyfriend from the guest list. Fortunately, you have chosen The New Book of Wedding Etiquette to answer the above questions and more, a planning strategy thats a great deal more prudent than buying a collection of etiquette books weighing as much as a cinder block.

My first word of advice to you is relax. There are few absolutes in wedding planning. Etiquette evolves; traditions begin as well as phase out. And when absolute answers arent available, good taste will guide you to the proper choice. The etiquette police will neither speed over on motorbikes to make white-gloved arrests at your reception, nor will they crash your rehearsal dinner and edit the toasts. As a bride or groom, however, your behavior will be under greater scrutiny, and you are likely to receive more unsolicited and often misleading advice, than at any other time of your life (except, of course, when you have young children!).

Besides knowing your wedding will be done properly, theres another benefit to your reading this book. Weddings planned by those interested in adhering to proper etiquette run more smoothly, have a greater proportion of happy guests, and, generally lead to fewer family arguments than those planned by people whose favorite catchphrases are Whos going to notice? and No one cares. You should also know that you shouldnt abandon etiquette in order to have a fun, laid-back, casual weddingor you may experience family members fuming over seating arrangements, guests livid because no one has bothered to write them thank-yous, and your betrothed barely speaking to you after an extremely heated cash bar debate.

This book will answer all your wedding etiquetterelated questions in a refreshing, relevant way. It will also uncover outdated traditions and identify those considered timeless, as well as introduce you to more contemporary customs. In fact, insights gained from this book may suggest a modern way to fulfill the traditional requirement of something old, something new.