Wedding Kit For Dummies E-Book

Marcy Blum

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 284

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Beschreibung

You finally said "yes!" and decided to throw in your lot with Mr. Right. But before you can embark on your new lives together there's the little detail of your wedding. Handled correctly, it can be what it should be--the most wonderful day of your life. With Wedding Kit For Dummies in your corner, you can guarantee that your wedding celebration is everything you always dreamed it would be. Whether you're planning an intimate affair, a huge event, or something in-between, this book/CD package arms you with checklists, templates, worksheets and other useful tools to help you manage all the details. And you get expert tips and advice on, among other things, how to: * Select the perfect venue * Track your guest list and RSVPs * Choosing the food and flowers * Finding a good photographer * Negotiate rates with caterers and musicians * Nail down the wedding-day agenda * Outfit your wedding p arty * Plan a destination wedding Marcy Blum has created magical weddings for hundreds of couples. Now in Wedding Kit For Dummies she shares her tricks-of-the-trade on all aspects of planning, organizing, and pulling off a wedding without a hitch, including such crucial topics as: * Financing your wedding and staying within your budget * Seating for meals, tracking gifts, creating invitations and finding the perfect far-away destination for a destination wedding * Getting all the details of the ceremony right--from choosing an officiant and who walks with whom to cueing the music and dealing with the jitters * Throwing a whiz-bang reception--covers all the bases including meals, music, flowers, the cake, the bar...all the way down to the send-off On the bonus CD-ROM you'll find: * Live links to top wedding Web resources * Templates, forms, worksheets, and sample contracts * A calculator to help you plan your reception * Spreadsheets to keep track of all your budget details Your complete wedding planning survival guide, this all-in-one kit is the one accessory every bride-to-be absolutely must have. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Leseprobe

Wedding Kit For Dummies

by Marcy Blum and Laura Fisher Kaiser

Wedding Kit For Dummies®

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc.111 River Street Hoboken, NJ 07030www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2002 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400, fax [phone]. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, 317-572-3447, fax [phone], or e-mail [email protected]

Trademarks: Wiley, the Wiley Publishing logo, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, A Reference for the Rest of Us!, The Dummies Way, Dummies Daily, The Fun and Easy Way, Dummies.com, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries and may not be used without written permission.All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc., is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

For general information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 800-762-2974, outside the U.S. at 317-572-3993, or fax [phone].

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Library of Congress Control Number: 00-104225

ISBN: 978-0-7645-5263-2

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7

3B/RV/QR/QV/IN

About the Authors

Photo Credit: Harold Hechler Associates Ltd.

Marcy Blum, one of the first female graduates of The Culinary Institute of America, is a highly respected expert on weddings and special events. She has appeared on a number of television shows including Good Morning America, The Today Show, Weddings of A Lifetime, The Food Channel, and on NBC Nightly News. Ms. Blum was named as a Best of New York in New York magazine, is a recipient of The Silver Spoon Award for professional excellence from Food Arts magazine and is a member of the prestigious Les Dames D’Escoffier. Marcy serves on the advisory boards of TheKnot.com and Disney Fairy Tale weddings. She is a contributing editor for Modern Bride magazine and a spokesperson for Things Remembered.

Photo Credit: Michael Edwards

Laura Fisher Kaiser is the co-author of Weddings For Dummies with Marcy Blum and The Official eBay Guide to Buying, Selling, and Collecting Just About Anything (Fireside) with her husband, Michael Kaiser. As a writer and editor, she has tackled a variety of subjects from fashion and design to health and home improvement. As editor of eShopper magazine and special projects editor of Yahoo! Internet Life magazine, she has covered the world of e-commerce and consumer affairs extensively. Prior to that, she served as editor in chief of Avenue magazine and deputy editor of This Old HouseMagazine.

Dedication

From Marcy: This book is dedicated to the memory of Gertrude and Harold Blum, my parents; I miss them every day.

From Laura: For Michael Bear.

Authors’ Acknowledgments

This book, like most things in life, was not nearly as simple as it looks. We are thankful to everyone who helped us professionally, especially our friends and families who keep us safe and sane so we can attempt to do 300 things at once.

Our thanks must start with, Michael Kaiser: Laura’s husband, Marcy’s good friend and our anonymous third partner/co-author. Michael not only kept us beautifully fed and watered as we wrote, but also labored over the spreadsheets, technical details, and many of the Internet-related aspects of the book with laser-beam focus and his usual perspicacity. We are truly appreciative.

We are grateful to our agent, Mark Reiter, who, even though he is a superstar, returns our calls, eventually (and his marvelous assistant, Michelle Yung, who makes sure that he does). We thank our acquisitions editor, Stacy Collins who picked up after others dropped the ball and nurtured us appropriately, and the patient Linda Brandon — our project editor — for shepherding this project along and taking the time to figure out what we were trying to say.

Thanks also goes to Liz Kurtzman whose whimsical illustrations greatly enhance our book, the cartoonist Rich Tennant for his zany contributions, Meaghan O’Neill, who cheerfully typed in endless contracts and menus; Mary Goodwin for her diligent editing, and Kathy Ehrich, who fact checked this book in record time.

We are grateful to Barry Golson, editor in chief of Yahoo! Internet Life, for generously allowing Laura the time to finish this project.

Most of all we both thank from the bottom of our hearts the brides and grooms who made our first book, Weddings For Dummies, such a success.

From Marcy: I feel blessed for the many really special friendships I have and to some of those who support me, both professionally and personally, my gratitude: Maria McBride Mellinger — a remarkably talented woman and my patron saint; Rozanne Gold and her husband Michael Whiteman who have adopted me and are never too busy to give the most salient professional advice or simply hand hold; Sheila Lukins who I always learn something from; Marianna and Jay Watnick — whose generosity overwhelms me; Laurie and Bruce Wolf and Leslie and Doug Murphy-Chutorian for always being there when it counts; Stacy Morrison of the golden mind; my brother Howard, sister-in-law Jenny and their children Dani, Anna and Tony for being proud of me and to Michael Liebowitz and Susan Burden — two consummate professionals who have never, ever, forgotten to be kind. To Millie Bratton for her insight; Sandea for permeating my home with her beautiful spirit; to Preston Bailey for being who he is and allowing me to bask in his glow; to Jack Orr for his eternal “kvelling,” and of course deep gratitude to Peter Aschkenasy, mentor and friend for life.

From Laura: Thanks to my family and friends for their understanding when deadlines have eaten into the time I should—and would rather—be spending with you.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Project Editors: Linda Brandon; Mary Goodwin

Acquisitions Editor: Stacy Collins

Acquisitions Coordinator: Lisa Roule

Fact Checker: Kathy Ehrich

Technical Editor: Joell Smith

Illustrator: Liz Kurtzman

Permissions Editor: Carmen Krikorian

Media Development Specialists: Megan Decraene; Brock Bigard

Editorial Manager: Christine Beck

Media Development Manager: Heather Dismore

Editorial Assistant: Alison Jefferson

Composition

Project Coordinator: Nancee Reeves

Layout and Graphics: Amy Adrian, Karl Brandt, Angela F. Hunckler, Stephanie Jumper, Clint Lahnen, Tracy K. Oliver, Jacque Schneider, Rashell Smith

Proofreaders: Rachel Garvey, Angel Perez, Carl Pierce, Nancy Reinhardt, Marianne Santy

Indexer: Sharon Hilgenberg

Special Help Mary Fales; Shelley Lea; Rev Mengle

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies

Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies

Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies

Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel

Brice Gosnell, Associate Publisher, Travel

Suzanne Jannetta, Editorial Director, Travel

Publishing for Technology Dummies

Richard Swadley, Vice President and Executive Group Publisher

Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher

Composition Services

Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services

Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services

Contents

Title

Introduction

How to Use This Book

How This Book Is Organized

Icons Used in This Book

Part I : Getting Started

Chapter 1: Big Picture Stuff

Doing the Dates

The Every-Last-Thing Checklist

The When, What, Where Cheat Sheet

Everyone’s 411 at a Glance

Forms and Links on the CD-ROM

Chapter 2: Love Is a Money-Spender Thing

With this Credit Card, Lottery Jackpot, or Parental Loan, I Thee Wed

Start Spreadsheeting the News

Take a Tip: Calculating Gratuities

Controlling Costs: Till Debt Do Us Part?

Forms on the CD-ROM

Part II : Be Our Guest

Chapter 3: Naming Names

Guest Quest: The Master Tracker

Seating for Meals

Tracking Gifts

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 4: Invitations and Other Stops Along the Paper Trail

Pinning Down Your Paper Needs

Selecting a Stellar Stationer

Placing the Order

Creating Your Own Invitations

Tips for Titles

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 5: Traveling On: Destination Weddings

Finding a Far-Away Destination

It Takes a Village

Attention Guests: Mark Your Calendars Now!

Handling the Happenings

Winning Welcomes

Forms and Links on the CD-ROM

Part III : Ceremony Survival Plan

Chapter 6: Sensational Ceremonies: All Together, Vow!

Choosing a Venue and an Officiant

What to Do to Say “I Do”

Who Walks with Whom

Getting with the Program

Accomplishing a Snag-Free Ceremony

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 7: Cue the Music: Ceremonial High Notes

They’re Playing Our Song

Choosing Ceremony Musicians

Putting It in Writing

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 8: Creating a Foolproof Wedding-Day Schedule

Making Sure Everyone’s on the Same Page

Creating the Master Schedule of Events

Dealing with Day-of Jitters

Forms on the CD-ROM

Part IV : A Rousing Reception

Chapter 9: Ready to Where

Love at First Site

Floor Planning

Going to Contract

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 10: Dance to the Music

Putting Your Reception to Music

Creating Your Own Play List

Strike Up the Band — Without Striking Out

Discussing Details with the DJ

Sorting Out the Contracts

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 11: A Taste of Things to Come

Getting a Reception Reality Check

Tasting and Testing

Considering the Cake

Fielding Catering Proposals

Planning the Menu

Tending Bar

Keeping the Food and Drink People Informed

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 12: A Bed of Roses

Getting a Sense of What You Want

Do Pick the Flowers

Let Your Flowers Do the Talking

Finding a Fabulous Florist

Getting Down to Dollars and Scents

Confirming Your Plans

Making Alternative Arrangements

Forms on the CD-ROM

Part V : Gifts, Garb, Pics, and Tips

Chapter 13: Greed Expectations and Registry Realities

Creating Your Wish List

Surfing for Gifts

Who Gave Us That and Where Did It Come From?

Gifting Unto Others

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 14: The Best-Dressed List

My Mama Told Me: “You Better Shop a Gown”

Attiring the Bride’s Attendants

Getting the Guys’ Garb Together

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 15: Focusing on Photos

Finding Your Own Prints Charming

Casting the Perfect Videographer

Cutting the Deal: Contracts

Picture This: Creating the Shot List

Forms on the CD-ROM

Chapter 16: Nitpicky Tips for the Taking

News of the Wed

Making It Legal

Changing Names

Weather Thou Goest, I Will Go

And Now a Word from (Or to) Our Sponsors . . .

Forms on the CD-ROM

Part VI : The Part of Tens

Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Use the World Wide Web to Plan Your Wedding

Targeting Your Search — and Saving Time

Using All-In-One Wedding Sites

Exploring a Diamond’s Many Facets

Registering Online

Saving Moola

Booking Travel and Lodging

Figuring Out the Flowers

Performing Thoughtful Gestures

Finding Vital Documents

Building a Nest Egg

Chapter 18: Ten Tips for Finessing Your Wedding Spreadsheets

Plugging in the Numbers

The Beauty of Natural Selection

Inserting — and Deleting — Rows

Formulating a Formula

Calculating the Tax and Tip

Sorting and Filtering a Guest List

@#%&, I Hit the Wrong the Button!!!

Printing Only What You Need

Copying All or Part of a Spreadsheet

Protecting Your Data

Chapter 19: Ten Amazing Places for Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

Beaches, Turks, and Caicos Resort and Spa, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Beaulieu Garden, Napa Valley, California

The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, Orlando, Florida

Jumby Bay Resort, Antigua

L’Auberge de Sedona, Arizona

Rancho la Puerta, Baja California, Mexico

Round Hill, Jamaica, West Indies

Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and Spa, Nassau, Bahamas

The Westin William Penn, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Appendix: About the CD

System Requirements

How to Use the CD Using the Mac OS

What You’ll Find

If You’ve Got Problems (Of the CD Kind)

: Wiley Publishing, Inc., End-User License Agreement

: Installation Instructions

Introduction

W hen we wrote Weddings For Dummies

But then our publisher asked us if we’d be interested in working on a wedding kit with specific tools that would make the wedding-planning process even easier. We brainstormed. One way to do the book, we realized, would be to include tips on tapping into the vast amount of information available on the World Wide Web. Another way would be to design some tools of our own (superior to those available on the current market) to help people keep track of expenses, sort out the guest list, comparison shop for vendors and sites, and negotiate contracts.

Just as with Weddings For Dummies, we decided that we could make this kit better than all the other wedding books out there. We wondered how many people really use those tedious forms in so many “planners.” After all, every wedding is different, and most people must end up doing their own thing. If only we could provide a flexible template and offer couples a way to customize worksheets — now, would be truly helpful.