The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World

by Carley Roney

Planning for the big day? Here are the most up-to-date answers to all of your questions in the book from the editors of the acclaimed wedding website, The Knot.

Overwhelmed by the countless questions and details your wedding entails? Don’t despair! The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World takes you step-by-step from your engagement to the big day, from the reception to the honeymoon. Inside you’ll find checklists, worksheets, insider advice, and in-depth sections on:

How to personalize your wedding
Updated wedding etiquette
Creating a realistic budget
Sneaky cost-cutting tips
Dress shopping advice
Tips for working with florists, caterers, officiants, and others
Invitation wording
Vows and ceremony details
Unique wedding customs

ALL NEW SECTIONS ON: Planning Online and Destination Weddings

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

448 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 1998

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed.

I think that books that purport to be about weddings "in the real world" should lay off saying things like you MUST hand-write invitation envelopes and use proper addressing style. If we're in the real world in 2011, I'm going to print labels and address people as I always have. Anyone who isn't going to come to the wedding because they're offended by that doesn't really want to be there anyway.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great reference source. Just a few weeks into wedding-planning and I've discovered a reference guide with encouraging advice is much-needed! I've already made it through all the chapters I was most interested in; the advice is practical, well-organized and thorough. Plus, there are real-wedding examples

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loads of options and ideas for every possible aspect of a wedding.

My only issue with this book: It does tend to assume certain traditions that not everyone may follow, like a diamond engagement ring or a limousine for the bridal party. Read it as an idea book, not as a must-have guide.

[Kimbra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up as a panicky bride who didn't know very much about weddings in general. There were SO MANY helpful tips in here, and it covers pretty much everything from non traditional to traditional.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading about rich people weddings is fun

[Elaine D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for my own wedding in 2010 and found pretty much everything I ever needed to know within its pages. The guide is very modern and realistic with tips on what to do with issues like: divorced parents, uninvolved bridesmaids, traditions, and etiquette. The things I found the most helpful throughout the whole book were the to-do checklists and the little rip-away worksheets inside. They helped me stay organized and on track along with the knot.com website! I now buy this book as an engagement gift for any brides-to-be in my life. :) Couldn't have planned my wedding without it!

[Mariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book that I read from start to finish, but definitely useful as a reference guide for specific aspects of wedding planning. For future brides, I would suggest this guide plus Real Simple's wedding guide, which I would give 4.5 stars. These guides are also useful for grooms who need written proof that there is wedding etiquette and that you are not just making them up :)

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as helpful as I had hoped. Some of the etiquette advice was just plain wrong. It was first published in the late '90s and republished in 2004, so a bit of it seems outdated. For instance, I noticed that they talk about using cassettes and CDs, but not iPods, in the section on music.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very through guide, I'll admit I only read part of it! I think this is, however, *the* book for if you have no clue what you want out of your wedding. It is full of fabulous side stories, tons of advice, and millions of pointers on every topic.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book cover to cover. It's a great resource for anyone getting married. Brings to your attention some details you may not have thought of before. I've returned to it for information or contracts and such as needed.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barely touched this book when planning my wedding. Other books provided me much more in-depth information or pretty pictures for inspiration. I don't really regret buying it, but it wasn't really helpful. On my list of books to sell off...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most helpful wedding book I found during my whole planning process. It gives all the basics and also addresses a lot of tough wedding questions regarding etiquette, etc. A great reference.

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very traditional, basic wedding planning book. It is helpful to know the traditional etiquette so one can stray tastefully and on purpose. Some if it seems a little outdated but with the internet supplementing everything, it works out okay.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite must read for all brides-to-be! Straightforward and practical advice for planning and preparing a great wedding for you and your guests. Also does a great job drawing awareness to potential obstacles/headaches and how to handle them.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful for etiquette stuff, esp wording for announcements and invitations.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best wedding manual out there (inho) - and a great website to boot.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the wedding planning bible! I received it as a gift and it has been really helpful through planning a wedding. If you are newly engaged, you should go out and get this book!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informational, lots of good ideas and helpful hints. Worth the money

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

An authoritative resource and reference. A lot of what is says is just common sense, but it can help sort out some of the sticky stuff and give you ideas.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

only use this to plan your wedding if you want to be a giant cookie cutter. dull dull dull. not a single thing of use in this book.