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Real Deal Wedding Insiders Guide to Smart Wedding Planning
Find out what you really need to know from experts in the know.
The Real Deal Wedding Insiders® Guide to Smart Wedding Planning gives you practical and actionable steps to take control of your wedding planning, make the best decisions, and keep your sanity along the way.
You’ll learn how to
* Navigate stressful relationships
* Create a vision that represents you both
* Understand and build a realistic budget
* Choose the right venue and vendors
* Stay present and enjoy your wedding day
With a combined thirty years and hundreds of weddings produced, the Real Deal Wedding Insiders® have seen it all. Edna Dratch-Parker, founder and creative director of EFD Creative—Event Planning & Design, and Jeri Solomon, owner of Jeri Solomon Floral Design, together bring their depth of knowledge and real-life experiences to help you on your wedding planning journey.
The Real Deal Wedding Insiders® Guide to Smart Wedding Planning gives you practical and actionable steps to take control of your wedding planning, make the best decisions, and keep your sanity along the way.
You’ll learn how to
* Navigate stressful relationships
* Create a vision that represents you both
* Understand and build a realistic budget
* Choose the right venue and vendors
* Stay present and enjoy your wedding day
With a combined thirty years and hundreds of weddings produced, the Real Deal Wedding Insiders® have seen it all. Edna Dratch-Parker, founder and creative director of EFD Creative—Event Planning & Design, and Jeri Solomon, owner of Jeri Solomon Floral Design, together bring their depth of knowledge and real-life experiences to help you on your wedding planning journey.
- GenresNonfiction
146 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2022
2 people are currently reading
1215 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 17, 2023
In “Guide to Smart Wedding Planning” by authors Edna Dratch-Parker and Jeri Solomon, the bride and groom will love the down-to-earth approach the authors take in telling their clients the absolute truth regarding what it takes to plan a wedding. Their no-nonsense approach allows the bride and groom to know the real truth in what the planning takes without trying to convince them that everything will be fun and stress free from start to finish. This true to life approach will turn out to be an invaluable asset the bride and groom will need to plan their wedding and it will keep it as real as possible while minimizing the stress they will face in each phase of the planning.
I want to start by saying I loved this guide because it had a fresh and different approach to helping the bride and groom plan their event. This wasn’t the average wedding planning book in which the author would make the planning process sound like planning was all going to be fun and dreamy. Instead, the authors take a new approach by telling the bride and groom the truth that there will be stress along the way, but if they plan well, they will minimize just how much stress they might experience.
I really enjoyed reading how the authors underscore that it’s vital to have close friends and family assigned to helping plan the wedding out by following the couple’s guidelines, but in assigning others tasks, it eliminates stressing the bride and groom out every single day. Allotting others to help you plan different aspects of the wedding allows the bride and groom more time to focus on other aspects items.
Also, I was fascinated that straight off they mention that once you get engaged, you shouldn’t focus on getting the wedding dress first or picking the venue immediately. Although both of these things are extremely important tasks that need to be accomplished, what the bride and groom should do is focus on specific priorities and needs they have while managing their budget, the time frame they are working with and just exactly what their comfort zone is to fulfill their wedding dreams. In approaching their wedding planning in this unique and well-planned approach, the bride and groom can tackle each task in a more systematic way that will hopefully reduce the associated stress.
The authors have provided an invaluable tool in this book with the worksheets included for the couple to fill out. There are worksheets based on what your ideal wedding location might be, style and personality worksheets for the both of them, along with values and interests etc. These worksheets can help them stay focused at this critical time.
Overall, even though I’m already married and don’t need the “Guide to Smart Wedding Planning,” I enjoyed reading this one so much that I will eagerly recommend it to any bride and groom who wants to be able to stay in control in one of the most stressful times of their lives while planning their wedding. I wish there had been a book like this when I was arranging my wedding. The authors had a great down-to-earth conversational tone throughout and I feel this would be an asset for an engaged couple to use as they prepare for their big day. Great job ladies!
I want to start by saying I loved this guide because it had a fresh and different approach to helping the bride and groom plan their event. This wasn’t the average wedding planning book in which the author would make the planning process sound like planning was all going to be fun and dreamy. Instead, the authors take a new approach by telling the bride and groom the truth that there will be stress along the way, but if they plan well, they will minimize just how much stress they might experience.
I really enjoyed reading how the authors underscore that it’s vital to have close friends and family assigned to helping plan the wedding out by following the couple’s guidelines, but in assigning others tasks, it eliminates stressing the bride and groom out every single day. Allotting others to help you plan different aspects of the wedding allows the bride and groom more time to focus on other aspects items.
Also, I was fascinated that straight off they mention that once you get engaged, you shouldn’t focus on getting the wedding dress first or picking the venue immediately. Although both of these things are extremely important tasks that need to be accomplished, what the bride and groom should do is focus on specific priorities and needs they have while managing their budget, the time frame they are working with and just exactly what their comfort zone is to fulfill their wedding dreams. In approaching their wedding planning in this unique and well-planned approach, the bride and groom can tackle each task in a more systematic way that will hopefully reduce the associated stress.
The authors have provided an invaluable tool in this book with the worksheets included for the couple to fill out. There are worksheets based on what your ideal wedding location might be, style and personality worksheets for the both of them, along with values and interests etc. These worksheets can help them stay focused at this critical time.
Overall, even though I’m already married and don’t need the “Guide to Smart Wedding Planning,” I enjoyed reading this one so much that I will eagerly recommend it to any bride and groom who wants to be able to stay in control in one of the most stressful times of their lives while planning their wedding. I wish there had been a book like this when I was arranging my wedding. The authors had a great down-to-earth conversational tone throughout and I feel this would be an asset for an engaged couple to use as they prepare for their big day. Great job ladies!
November 4, 2022
The Review
This was such an insightful and engaging book. The authors did an amazing job of taking the reader through the journey of wedding planning in great detail without losing themselves to an overabundance of backstories. The way authors were able to craft an interactive and educational read that has real-world practical applications that the reader will be able to share immediately.
The breakdown of information and reliability of the authors and their work is what stood out to me. The way the authors take the reader through every step of the wedding planning process, from the moment that you become engaged to the moment the wedding is over, was fantastic to read about, as there are so many aspects of the wedding process that the average reader doesn’t even think about. From the emotional side of things like learning how to be present in the moment of the wedding day to the finances and practical side of things that come with setting a budget with the person funding the wedding, this book does a great job of delving into the most important information that readers will be able to apply immediately.
The Verdict
Informative, thoughtful, and engaging, authors Edna Dratch-Parker and Jeri Solomon’s “Guide to Smart Wedding Planning” is a must-read book for the engaged couple seeking help with their wedding this season. The memorable and interactive writing style will keep readers invested in the information the authors have provided, and the brilliant and concise way the authors have collected this information will stay with readers well into their own weddings and beyond.
This was such an insightful and engaging book. The authors did an amazing job of taking the reader through the journey of wedding planning in great detail without losing themselves to an overabundance of backstories. The way authors were able to craft an interactive and educational read that has real-world practical applications that the reader will be able to share immediately.
The breakdown of information and reliability of the authors and their work is what stood out to me. The way the authors take the reader through every step of the wedding planning process, from the moment that you become engaged to the moment the wedding is over, was fantastic to read about, as there are so many aspects of the wedding process that the average reader doesn’t even think about. From the emotional side of things like learning how to be present in the moment of the wedding day to the finances and practical side of things that come with setting a budget with the person funding the wedding, this book does a great job of delving into the most important information that readers will be able to apply immediately.
The Verdict
Informative, thoughtful, and engaging, authors Edna Dratch-Parker and Jeri Solomon’s “Guide to Smart Wedding Planning” is a must-read book for the engaged couple seeking help with their wedding this season. The memorable and interactive writing style will keep readers invested in the information the authors have provided, and the brilliant and concise way the authors have collected this information will stay with readers well into their own weddings and beyond.
November 5, 2022
Finding the love of your life… This must be the best day ever and when one day they go on one knee and ask THE question, you are on cloud nine.
Getting married.. a perfect day… that’s what you want for yourself and your family. But it takes quite some time and preparations before the wedding bells start to chime.
Venue, flowers, invitations, dresses, … 1001 things you have to consider and to pick out before can finally walk down the aisle into the waiting arms of your significant other.
You no longer see the trees through the forest…
I live in Belgium and I got married a long time ago. Things have probably changed here too since then, but it felt like it was a lot easier. Of course in the USA there are other traditions people like to cherish and it’s interesting to compare notes.
In my time, we did not bother with bridesmaids, a matron of honour, a guest book or gifts for the guest. I guess it was a lot simpler to organise everything without the help of a wedding planner.
I can only imagine if you have to deal with all what was described in the book, it must feel like climbing a mountain wearing flippers. 😉 I guess you are only to happy to include a professional to lead the way.
If you do decide not to hire a planner, you have this great guide to help you see the light 😊
Great tips with very useful tips. 5 stars
Thank you
Getting married.. a perfect day… that’s what you want for yourself and your family. But it takes quite some time and preparations before the wedding bells start to chime.
Venue, flowers, invitations, dresses, … 1001 things you have to consider and to pick out before can finally walk down the aisle into the waiting arms of your significant other.
You no longer see the trees through the forest…
I live in Belgium and I got married a long time ago. Things have probably changed here too since then, but it felt like it was a lot easier. Of course in the USA there are other traditions people like to cherish and it’s interesting to compare notes.
In my time, we did not bother with bridesmaids, a matron of honour, a guest book or gifts for the guest. I guess it was a lot simpler to organise everything without the help of a wedding planner.
I can only imagine if you have to deal with all what was described in the book, it must feel like climbing a mountain wearing flippers. 😉 I guess you are only to happy to include a professional to lead the way.
If you do decide not to hire a planner, you have this great guide to help you see the light 😊
Great tips with very useful tips. 5 stars
Thank you
March 7, 2023
I've perused all of the sections (and will go back through once we are ready to really get planning!) and I found the advice very useful overall, though a bit repetitive at times. The opening section on budgeting and choosing your crew was clever with adapting SMART goals and considering your financial contributors (bankrollers), important guests (VIPs) and confidants (good listeners/advocates). I appreciated that they reiterated how important it was to take into account how weddings and wedding expectations have shifted historically.
I didn't love the formatting, but I'm sure that's just the Kindle version of what will be an aesthetically pleasing hardcopy book.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the eARC copy!
I didn't love the formatting, but I'm sure that's just the Kindle version of what will be an aesthetically pleasing hardcopy book.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the eARC copy!
November 4, 2022
I’m a person who likes to have a set of plans, and these ladies have created a book that is full of helpful information that most of us are searching for.
This is a beautifully constructed book that should help eliminate lots of the stress of planning a wedding. Each chapter is concise and presents the information in a visual way that isn’t overwhelming but makes it easy to locate what you’re looking for.
This 146-page book is just what you need. Whether you’re planning a small or large wedding, grab a notebook and Guide To Smart Wedding Planning and start organizing the perfect wedding for you!
My thanks to the authors for a gifted copy to review. I was free to express my opinion.
This is a beautifully constructed book that should help eliminate lots of the stress of planning a wedding. Each chapter is concise and presents the information in a visual way that isn’t overwhelming but makes it easy to locate what you’re looking for.
This 146-page book is just what you need. Whether you’re planning a small or large wedding, grab a notebook and Guide To Smart Wedding Planning and start organizing the perfect wedding for you!
My thanks to the authors for a gifted copy to review. I was free to express my opinion.
March 10, 2023
It's very informative, indeed . It's a great book for those who will have a non micro wedding. Especially if you don't know where to start with planning a wedding. However it was not very relevant to me since our wedding will mostly be paid by us. It will also be a micro wedding and trying to spend as least possible. I don't feel there is much here about saving money. I had also done previous research online and with friends, so I knew the necessary things I needed to plan and buy.
November 2, 2022
Are you getting married but are overwhelmed with the idea of throwing a party with all eyes on you? This 131 page guide is going to walk you through the entire thing, it's well organized, it's not full of fluff you don't have time to sort through, and it's the nitty gritty how-to you need in your life. Highly recommend this!
August 3, 2023
Wedding planners should read Edna Dratch-Parker and Jeri Solomon's The Real Deal Wedding Insiders® - Guide to Wise Wedding Planning. From proposal to honeymoon, this book covers all wedding planning details.
The book's basic, easy-to-understand language makes it accessible to all wedding planners. Budgeting, venue choice, catering, music, photography, and more are covered in chapters. Each chapter offers practical advice, useful insights, and real-world examples to help you organise your wedding.
This book's firsthand knowledge is its greatest strength. Dratch-Parker and Solomon write like experienced wedding planners. They teach how to bargain with vendors, handle emergencies, and prevent typical mistakes in the wedding industry.
The Real Deal Wedding Insiders® emphasises personalization and creating a meaningful wedding that matches the couple's values. The writers encourage wedding planners to be real and creative.
Wedding planners should consult The Real Deal Wedding Insiders® - Guide to Wise Wedding Planning. It's informative, practical and full of useful information to help readers plan their dream wedding. If you desire a beautiful and meaningful wedding, this book is for you.
The book's basic, easy-to-understand language makes it accessible to all wedding planners. Budgeting, venue choice, catering, music, photography, and more are covered in chapters. Each chapter offers practical advice, useful insights, and real-world examples to help you organise your wedding.
This book's firsthand knowledge is its greatest strength. Dratch-Parker and Solomon write like experienced wedding planners. They teach how to bargain with vendors, handle emergencies, and prevent typical mistakes in the wedding industry.
The Real Deal Wedding Insiders® emphasises personalization and creating a meaningful wedding that matches the couple's values. The writers encourage wedding planners to be real and creative.
Wedding planners should consult The Real Deal Wedding Insiders® - Guide to Wise Wedding Planning. It's informative, practical and full of useful information to help readers plan their dream wedding. If you desire a beautiful and meaningful wedding, this book is for you.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews