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 GiftPreference............................................................ 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 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
Chapter 72: Greek Orthodox Wedding....................................................... 181
Chapter 73 The Jewish/Hebrew Wedding................................................. 223
References...................................................................................................... 231
Index.............................................................................................................. 233
