Contents
Preface .......................................................................................................... 13
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................... 15
Chapter 1: Engagement ................................................................................. 17
When Are You Engaged? .............................................................................. 17
Broken Engagement ..................................................................................... 18
When Do You Contact the Clergy? ............................................................... 18
Who Do You Tell First? ................................................................................ 19
Chapter 2: Prewedding Parties ...................................................................... 21
Engagement Party ........................................................................................ 21
Bridal Shower(s) ........................................................................................... 21
Bridesmaids Party ......................................................................................... 22
Bachelor Party .............................................................................................. 23
Chapter 3: Attendants ................................................................................... 24
Best Man and His Duties ............................................................................. 24
Selecting: Who Do You Ask First ................................................................ 25
Hostess ........................................................................................................ 27
Chapter 4: Duties and Responsibilities ......................................................... 28
Groom .......................................................................................................... 28
Bride’s Ultimate Responsibilities .................................................................. 29
Maid of Honor ............................................................................................. 30
Chapter 5: Why a Bachelorette Party? ........................................................... 32
Chapter 6: Rehearsal and the Rehearsal Party ............................................... 34
Chapter 7: When You Select Your Diamond, What Is Important................... 36
Chapter 8: The Wedding Cake ...................................................................... 38
Chapter 9: Decorations .................................................................................. 40
Chapter 10: The Degree of Formality ............................................................. 42
The Ultraformal Wedding .............................................................................. 42
The Formal Wedding ..................................................................................... 43
The Semiformal Wedding .............................................................................. 43
The Informal Wedding .................................................................................. 44
Second Marriage ............................................................................................ 44
Chapter 11: Bridal Millinery ........................................................................... 46
Tiara .............................................................................................................. 46
Crown ............................................................................................................ 47
Veil ................................................................................................................ 47
Bridal Train ................................................................................................... 47
Destination Wedding ..................................................................................... 48
The When and The Why of Tradition ............................................................ 48
Bridal Train According to the Degree of Formality ....................................... 50
Chapter 12: Who Pays for What ...................................................................... 51
Chapter 13: The Receiving Line ..................................................................... 54
Chapter 14: Long-Distance Wedding Plans and Responsibilities ................... 55
Chapter 15: Wedding Gift Preference ............................................................. 57
Bridal Registry Consultant ............................................................................. 58
Chapter 16: Intimate Apparel ......................................................................... 60
Chapter 17: The Groom’s Wedding Attire ...................................................... 62
Chapter 18: Enhancements for Today’s Groom .............................................. 64
Chapter 19: Your Attendants’ Dress/Gown and Headpiece ........................... 66
Chapter 20: Summer Wedding ........................................................................ 68
Bridal Styles and Fabrics ................................................................................ 68
Chapter 21: When Your Home Is the Wedding Site ....................................... 70
Chapter 22: Twelve Months Bridal Guide ...................................................... 73
Chapter 23: Four Months Bridal Guide .......................................................... 75
Chapter 24: Two Months Bridal Guide .......................................................... 77
Chapter 25: Two Weeks before Check Off List ............................................. 79
Chapter 26: Wedding Day Checklist ............................................................... 81
Chapter 27: Wording . . . Wedding Announcement ........................................ 83
Extending the Formal Request ...................................................................... 83
Wedding Stationery ........................................................................................ 84
Wedding Invitations Proper Perspective ........................................................ 85
Your Wedding Invitations and You ............................................................... 86
Chapter 28: Videotape Your Wedding ........................................................... 88
Bridal Photographer ...................................................................................... 89
Chapter 29: Transportation ............................................................................ 90
Chapter 30: Double Wedding ......................................................................... 92
Proper Procedure for a Double Wedding ....................................................... 93
Chapter 31: The Lawn Wedding Site .............................................................. 95
Chapter 32: What to Avoid, Check Your Attendants’ Accessories................... 97
Chapter 33: Dress Code from a Fashion Designer’s Point of View ................. 99
Chapter 34: Four Weddings, One Church, the Same Day .............................. 101
Chapter 35: Special Day, Special Facial, Hair, and Nail Care ........................ 103
Chapter 36: Wedding Day Attire for the Mothers of the Bride and Groom .... 105
Chapter 37: Home-Style Catering .................................................................. 107
Chapter 38: Should the Mother Escort the Bride? .......................................... 109
Chapter 39: Wedding Reception Enhancements ............................................. 111
Chapter 40: Honeymoon Accommodations .................................................... 113
Chapter 41: Honeymoon Hairstyles ................................................................ 115
Chapter 42: Mixed Weddings .......................................................................... 117
Chapter 43: Marriage according to Islamic Law in North Africa (Part I) ....... 119
Chapter 44: Marriage according to Islamic Law in North Africa (Part II) ..... 121
Chapter 45: Episcopal Wedding ..................................................................... 123
What is a Christian Marriage? ........................................................................ 123
Who may get married in the Church? ............................................................. 124
Marriage after Divorce ................................................................................... 124
Marriage Preparation ..................................................................................... 124
The Marriage Service ..................................................................................... 125
The Liturgy .................................................................................................... 125
Witnesses ....................................................................................................... 125
Wedding Consultants or Coordinators ........................................................... 125
Music ............................................................................................................. 126
Photography .................................................................................................. 126
Decorations ................................................................................................... 126
Rehearsal ....................................................................................................... 126
Reception ...................................................................................................... 126
Fees for Members Pledge Cards .................................................................... 127
Chapter 46: United Methodist Wedding ........................................................ 128
Chapter 47: Jehovah’s Witnesses Wedding .................................................... 130
Chapter 48: Lutheran Wedding ..................................................................... 132
Chapter 49: Islamic Wedding ........................................................................ 134
Chapter 50: Hindu Wedding ......................................................................... 136
Chapter 51: Roman Catholic Wedding .......................................................... 138
Chapter 52: West Africa Kpelle Cultural Customs ........................................ 140
Chapter 53: Nigerian Betrothal: Wedding Ceremony of the Ibo Society....... 142
Chapter 54: Holiness Faith Wedding ............................................................ 144
Chapter 55: Marriage Vows Renewal ............................................................ 146
Chapter 56: Should a Senior Male Marry a Junior Miss? ............................... 148
Chapter 57: Second Marriage ........................................................................ 150
Chapter 58: Don’t Marry For The Wrong Reasons ........................................ 152
Chapter 59: Questions Asked ........................................................................ 154
Chapter 60: How to Avoid Being on the Receiving End
of the Acts of Jealousy .................................................................................. 157
Chapter 61: The Receiving Line .................................................................... 159
Chapter 61: The Receiving Line .................................................................... 159
Chapter 62: Who Sits at the Bride’s Table? .................................................... 161
Who Sits at the Bride’s Table? ....................................................................... 161
Chapter 63: Bridal Toast ................................................................................ 163
Chapter 64: The Wedding Cake ..................................................................... 165
Cutting the Cake ........................................................................................... 165
Chapter 65: Dancing Procedure ..................................................................... 166
Chapter 66: When Do You Throw the Bride’s Bouquet? ................................ 167
Chapter 67: The Honeymoon: When Do You Leave? .................................... 168
Chapter 68: Flowers and the Reception Site .................................................. 169
Chapter 69: The Reception Menu .................................................................. 170
Suggestions Only
Appetizers ...................................................................................................... 170
Salads ............................................................................................................. 170
Vegetables ...................................................................................................... 171
Potatoes .......................................................................................................... 171
Desserts .......................................................................................................... 171
Hors d’Oeuvres
Cold Hors d’Oeuvres: .................................................................................... 172
Hot Hors d’Oeuvres: ..................................................................................... 172
Brunch Buffet ................................................................................................ 173
Afternoon Reception ...................................................................................... 173
Supper ............................................................................................................ 173
Dinner Buffet ................................................................................................. 174
Chapter 70: The Traditional Wedding Beverage ............................................. 175
Chapter 71: The Baptist Wedding Ceremony .................................................. 176
Outline/Procedure ......................................................................................... 176
Index .............................................................................................................. 181
