Planning a wedding is an enormous undertaking. In fact, some say a wedding is as complicated to put together as a large theater production. There is one major difference, however: a wedding must be planned according to rules of etiquette. Wedding etiquette is defined as ''the practices and forms prescribed by social convention and authority'' as they pertain to a wedding (American Heritage College Dictionary). If you're planning a very formal wedding, you'll probably choose to follow the rules precisely. However, even if you're planning an informal wedding, you should be familiar with the rules before you decide how far to bend them. You'll also find that certain rules must be followed for all weddings, even a super-casual wedding on the beach, because you don't want to damage precious relationships or hurt anyone's feelings. We'll talk more about this throughout the book as we apply the rules to these five degrees of formality

Finally, a practical guide to wedding ceremonies includes the traditional as well as creative, personalized ideas for the 21st century bride and groom.

—The Best Man Brings Down the House with A Hilarious Story —The Bridegroom Recites A Touching Poem —The Father of the Groom Gives an Eloquent and Emotional Toast This can happen at your wedding! Diane Warner’s Complete Book of Wedding Toasts ensures that the perfect speech enhances your reception. The author’s guidance and foolproof tactics make any person seem like a seasoned speaker. Your wedding toasts will be beautifully and eloquently presented, no matter what the orator’s experience. Diane Warner gives hundreds of sample toasts that can be used by anyone who is responsible for delivering heartwarming words at a wedding. The examples provided can be altered to incorporate personal anecdotes relating to the couple. The book also gives step-by-step advice on creating toasts from the heart and tips from augmenting the toast with body language, humor, and inflection of voice and other ways to make a lasting impression. This truly one-of-a-kind wedding book guarantees that you, the bride and groom, will be delighted by the toasts given at your own wedding. Look for a new edition in Fall 2005.

"A gold mine for anyone planning a wedding." --Sharon Lewis, Publisher and Executive Producer, Washington Weddings magazine and The Wedding Show "The bride's 'bible' for wedding planning and a major tool for professional wedding planners." --Doris Nixon, National Bridal Services and President, Weddings Beautiful Worldwide "Diane Warner's books are recommended reading for my wedding/event students at the University of San Diego." --Mimi Doke, Certified Special Events Professional and Master Bridal Consultant America's best-selling wedding author, Diane Warner, has consolidated four of her most popular wedding books into one dynamic collection. This all-inclusive omnibus--featuring tender new vows, ever-more-creative toasts, and unique ways to personalize your wedding, whatever its size--is the only book any bride and groom will ever need. In addition to the more traditional celebrations, this collection also contains up-to-date information on the latest trends, from entirely new chapters on "special blessings," such as handfasting and unity candles, to creative but affordable destination weddings. Brides have always loved Diane's wedding books because the end result is a trouble-free, perfect wedding day. Diane Warner's Complete Guide to a Traditional Wedding makes planning every aspect of the perfect wedding easier than ever.

Diane Warner's Complete Book of Wedding Vows, Revised Edition, is the only book devoted solely to helping you prepare and personalize your vows so they are as unique and special as every other aspect of your wedding. The first edition has sold more than 100,000 copies. It is one of the largest compilations of vows ever assembled, a practical user-friendly guide that helps couples compose personalized vows from the heart, vows that express their deep feelings of love and commitment to each other. Diane Warner's Complete Book of Wedding Vows includes a wide variety of traditional wedding vows from countries and culture around the world, along with hundreds of personalized, nontraditional vows—those for second marriages, marriages of older couples, ceremonies of reaffirmation and wedding involving children from previous marriages. Vows with religious variations, those inspired by the classics (Elizabeth Barrett Browning, John Keats, Shakespeare, and many others), even some devoted exclusively to rings are included. And, for the first time in this new edition: Theme wedding vows (including poignant Hand-Fasting ceremony vows and special vows for a Renaissance wedding) and a number of original vows submitted by Diane's many readers.