"An entertaining beach read... [and] a nice way to provide your besties with reading material for the bachelorette weekend."—Lauren Conrad WHAT DO A FORMER FASHION MODEL, AN EX-NUN, AND A FRAT BOY HAVE IN COMMON? VIRTUALLY NOTHING, EXCEPT THAT EACH HAS EXPERIENCED A UNIVERSAL RITE OF PASSAGE: BEING A BRIDESMAID. Each year 11 million bridesmaids lead their best friends down the aisle. Most wear matching dresses, and nearly all have a thing or two to say about the bride. In this uproarious oral history, editor and journalist Eimear Lynch offers us an intimate glimpse at the moments the wedding photographer failed to capture. From the accidental bridesmaid who helped sew the bride into her "designer" gown to the tomboy who struggled to carry Princess Diana's twenty-five foot train, The Bridesmaids lifts the veil on the Big Day. Opening with her own experiences as a five-time 'maid, Eimear gives us stories that are by turns heartfelt, funny, scandalous, and sometimes downright strange. An ode to the good, the bad, the strapless chiffon, and the occasional three-piece suit—and, above all, to the supporting actresses and actors who wore them—The Bridesmaids is a colorful walk down the aisle that you won't want to miss, and the perfect companion for every bridesmaid-to-be.

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a great compliment from one woman to another. But it’s also an invitation to become her unpaid fashion consultant, party planner, backstage dresser, and emergency psychotherapist. The Bridesmaid’s Handbook helps take some of the stress out of these responsibilities, and makes sure the entire experience, from the shower to the ceremony itself, is joyful for bride and bridesmaids alike. Filled with checklists, money-saving tips, and strategies for success (such as “Focus on your friendship” and “Have a sense of humor”) the book offers ideas for sensational showers (consider wine-tastings and spa treatments) and even gives the bridesmaids a game plan for getting dresses they’ll actually like!

Being a fabulous bridesmaid these days calls for much more than dyeing your heels to match your dress, especially now that the Internet is the bride's best friend. Fortunately, this all-new edition from bridesmaid expert Kate Chynoweth shares how to be the very best bridesmaid possible. Learn how to host the loveliest bridal shower, throw an unforgettable bachelorette party, use social networking, and support the bride on her big day. Fully updated and with templates for invitations, party games, and more, this illustrated and informative guide is the perfect resource.

New translations of works by the master playwright, including scenes and entire works not available elsewhere

From the author of Carnegie Hill, comes Jonathan Vatner's The Bridesmaids Union, a captivating novel of family, Facebook groups, and bridesmaids gone rogue. Iris Hagarty has just about had it with weddings. After witnessing one too many meltdowns over flower arrangements, she takes to the internet to vent about the trials and tribulations of being a bridesmaid to demanding and ungrateful brides. She finds she is not alone, and soon becomes the moderator of a Facebook group full of other bridesmaids, eager to share their own horror stories. Enter Iris’s sister Jasmine, the golden child and their parents’ obvious favorite, newly engaged and wanting none other than Iris to be her maid of honor. Knowing full well that Jasmine doesn’t need a wedding to bring out her spoiled side, Iris buckles in for a bumpy ride. At least now she has an outlet—one full of new online friends hungry for juicy details. But as the Bridesmaids Union grows, Iris finds it harder to keep under control. And she even has some doubts about whether there will be a wedding after all. While Jasmine’s fiancé, David, seems smitten with his bride-to-be, Iris is less sure about her social-climber sister’s intentions. Though that could just be because Iris is having trouble keeping her own eyes off of the groom. Brimming with family drama, and set in the ever-encroaching world of Instagram DM's and Facebook flame wars, The Bridesmaids Union shows the power and limits of alliances we form on social media, and how to make the most of the ones we’re born into.

Bridesmaids today face an average expense of more than $3,000 when they accept the invitation to be in a bridal party. Add in the cost of travel and lodging—which is increasingly becoming necessary, with the growing popularity of destination weddings—and that $3,000 climbs to an even higher price tag. It’s hard to say no when a friend asks you to be a part of their wedding, but in this economy, most bridesmaids just don't have the money to participate—not without ending up with a handful of maxed-out credit cards and a whole lot of resentment, anyway. In Bridesmaid on a Budget, Sharon Naylor—the author of multiple best-selling budgeting books for brides—offers women advice on how to beat the system. Naylor gives tips on where to find the best, most affordable dresses and accessories; planning fantastic (but low-cost) showers and bachelorette parties; giving a great wedding gift without emptying your pocketbook; minimizing the extra expenses of a destination wedding; and more. For the almost 10 million women per year who become one, Bridesmaid on a Budget is an indispensable guide to being a brilliant bridesmaid—without breaking the bank.

Four weddings, without the funeral... With less than an hour before her best friend walks down the aisle, Evie is attempting to fulfil her most important role as a bridesmaid: to deposit the bride at the start-line at the appointed time. But with a bride famed for her chaotic sense of time, the odds are stacked against her. Evie herself, meanwhile, has never been in love and doubts she ever will be. Small wonder that the prospect of being a bridesmaid at no less than THREE impending weddings fills her with trepidation. But then she meets Jack, who is dating the beautiful, self-obsessed Valentina and can’t possibly be as good as he seems. Can he?

Every summer has a story... READERS ADORE KAREN KING'S UTTERLY HILARIOUS AND CHARMING TALES: 'Such a brilliant book could not put this book down' ***** Reader Review 'Just a lovely excellent romantic story set in Cornwall. Didn't want to put it down or end' ***** Reader Review 'Another delightful story from a really enjoyable writer' ***** Reader Review 'An enjoyable, easy read with characters that jump off the page and a story that keeps you intrigued' ***** Reader Review 'I loved this book. The characters, the storyline and the setting. It made me want to book my next holiday' ***** Reader Review 'A good story line with a twist that really added to the plot, don't want this book to end' ***** Reader Review ______________ Fun-loving travel rep Jess doesn't want to be chief bridesmaid at her snooty cousin's wedding, but it will cause a family feud if she refuses. She doesn't want to fall in love either but when a raucous stag party arrives at her Majorcan hotel, Jess hits it off instantly with best man, Eddie. A summer romance is exactly what commitment-phobe Jess needs and, as the stag-do draws to a close, so does the holiday fling. She has no intentions of carrying on the summer fun but when Eddie turns up again, Jess is faced with a big dilemma. Will this bridesmaid get the happy-ever-after she never knew she wanted...

Dodie has just been asked to be chief bridesmaid at her sister's huge celebrity wedding! She's always felt inadequate next to her slim, beautiful, famous sister – so there's only one thing for it: Dodie's going on a diet and she needs a personal trainer's help! It's going to take a miracle for Dodie to lose two dress sizes in time for the wedding, especially given her major weakness – chocolate! But she soon discovers another weakness – her live–in personal trainer, Brad Morgan. He's absolutely gorgeous and determined to prove to Dodie that the ultimate reward would be finding someone who loves her just as she is. In other words – him!

Rachel and Kirsty help Mia the Bridesmaid Fairy save the wedding magic in this sweet story, perfect for spring! This is our ninth Rainbow Magic Special Edition.Unhappily ever after?There's trouble in Fairyland again --- and Jack Frost is behind it! This time, he's stolen Mia the Bridesmaid Fairy's three magic charms. Now weddings have gone from "I do" to "I don't"! Rachel and Kirsty are bridesmaids in Kirsty's cousin's wedding, and they don't want anything to go wrong on her big day. But can they help Mia track down the charms? Or will the wedding magic be lost . . . for good?Find the magic charms in all three stories inside this Rainbow Magic Special Edition, and help save the wedding magic!