(Part 2) Best wedding books according to redditors

TYVM

We've only been officially engaged for a few months now. We haven't even bought the 3inch wedding planning binder yet, let alone seriously talked about if we're going to have a summer wedding or not. Why? are? they? so? expensive?

<SARCASM>Thank you for reminding me about the most joyous and least stressful part of the wedding planning process: the guest list.</SARCASM>

It doesn't come out till October 12th though

I don't have a lot of detail, but kissing the bride probably developed from the Roman legal customs surrounding betrothals, and the dissolving thereof. There were different variations of the betrothal ceremonies, which were required to precede marriage ceremonies but were considered very nearly as binding (for instance, if a woman's betrothed died in war, she was treated as a war widow). It was difficult, but not impossible, to dissolve a betrothal, but it was markedly more difficult if they had kissed during the betrothal ceremony.

TL;DR: A ceremonial kiss made a betrothal more legally binding in Roman law.

The only citation I have for this is a lecture delivered at a conference last weekend by Dr. Michael P. Foley, who teaches at Baylor, but I'm sure it's covered in his book on the topic:
http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Rites-Traditional-Ceremonies-Interfaith/dp/0802848672/

This is kind of below your budget, but you could try looking down this route. Anyone slightly nerdy is likely to enjoy books, and this would give her something more lighthearted than most wedding planning materials.

Oh my goodness, that little kitten looks soooo sweet! Was it a rescue? You could name him Oliver (like Oliver Twist), or Earl (since he's gray, like the tea), or VooDoo ( like the song "Big Bad VooDoo Man").

This book can be bought used for .01 and ships for $3.99!

Thanks for the contest! Good luck naming your little fur baby!

As someone else mentioned, Telushkin's books are very good.

For wedding specific books, when I was planning my wedding, I read both Anita Diamant's The New Jewish Wedding and The Creative Jewish Wedding Book. Both were very helpful.

The Reform movement's publishing arm has just published a new book about Jewish weddings called Beyond Breaking the Glass, and the one amazon review on it so far says it is very user friendly. I have also seen Meeting at the Well recommended for engaged couples.

I have not read it yet, since I just found out about it, but apparently Robert Alter's translation of the Torah is very poetic.

You should take a look at r/judaism's book list as well.

I think it's probably more helpful to Google than use Reddit if you're just starting to plan. Otherwise you'll either not get the full picture or get a wall of text. We're all biased and may not give a full picture since we're stuck in our own details. Just because someone says you need to have a coordinator or need to pay for it yourself doesn't mean it's true, we don't know you or what you really want. Especially if you're in the beginning stages of planning and you're not sure if something has to be a certain way, you might get misled on Reddit. It's really helpful when you're stuck in a certain detail or etiquette situation, though.

Washington Post planning guidelines

Emily Post is a good source for all things etiquette. Amazon link

Pinterest is also good for getting ideas of what you want, though a lot of things can't be replicated as easily as it seems they can. But it can help you determine if you want something ultra-fancy or something rustic or minimalistic.

I found this book helpful (http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Book-Wedding-Etiquette/dp/0761525416)

this book won't let you forget anything. my fiancé and I both use it and it touches on everything you might need for the day. Some sections don't apply like tent or destination weddings but whatever you're planning, it will give you every question you should ask.

This book - https://www.amazon.com/How-Buy-Diamond-Insider-Secrets/dp/1402267320

Read it and then go to a store that sells loose diamonds - the cost of your ring should be the value of the stones plus the setting - thats it - anything else is marketing.

Spend your money on a larger stone as opposed to lots of little ones if you can - also quality > quantity (size) IMHO. If you ever see someone with a big gumball engagement stone but it doesn't reflect light or sparkle different colors, they are basically wearing a big ball of charcoal.

Your best value tends to be in the popular cuts and sizes - for example it is very easy to find a well priced round cut 1ct stone.

I don't personally believe in the value of platinum for a setting - white gold should save you some money and looks great.

If you do go for a traditional single stone setting, make sure its secured in there - i think its 5 prong minimum if I am not mistaken.

As for other stones in the setting, unless they are of equal quality to the main stone, they can detract from the overall quality of the stone (unless they are set in the band then they won't block any light).

Lastly, as for the "personal style" etc. - if someone is really invested in a specific style or kind of ring fine - otherwise go traditional as possible (i.e round cut single stone setting). I know people that bought pear cuts etc. that now regret it.

I am trying so hard to plan my wedding on a small budget and a smaller time frame!

Books are the absolute best kind of contests! Can't even describe how much they have helped me in the past by providing a much needed escape from reality.

I'm using [this one] (http://www.amazon.ca/Brides-Essential-Book-Lists-Questions/dp/1454908440/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418687906&sr=1-5&keywords=brides+book+of+lists) which is nice because it fits in my purse. They have a deluxe version as well which is binder sized.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Mans-Duties-Right-Way/dp/0716020491

'nuff said