Something New: Wedding Etiquette for Rule Breakers, Traditionalists, and Everyone in Between

by Elise Mac Adam

Overview

WEDDING MANNERS FOR MODERN TIMES FROM THE ETIQUETTE EXPERT FOR THE POPULAR WEDDING WEBSITE INDIEBRIDE

In Something New, etiquette columnist Elise Mac Adam tackles every wedding question, from the frivolous to the frightful, demonstrating how etiquette is designed to make people feel comfortable and offering a road map for how to behave in any sticky situation...even how to deal with people who, themselves, could use a little remedial etiquette assistance. Mac Adam offers easy cheat sheets for the rules of traditional comportment, elaborates on ways to manipulate or jettison traditions to suit your modern life, and — using real-life case studies — shows etiquette at work in practically every nuptial-related circumstance, including:

• What do you do if your best man is dog phobic and the ring bearer is your bride's Alaskan malamute?

• HOW MANY BRIDAL SHOWERS IS TOO MANY?

• HOW DO YOU COMPOSE AN INVITATION THAT MENTIONS ALL OF YOUR PARENTS AND STEPPARENTS?

• CAN YOU DECLINE THE HONOR OF BEING A BRIDESMAID AND PRESERVE YOUR FRIENDSHIP?

• CAN YOU REGISTER FOR PRESENTS IF YOU ELOPE?

• WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE REHEARSAL DINNER GUEST LIST?

• WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL WHEN ONE FAMILY DRINKS (A LOT) AND THE OTHER DOESN'T (AT ALL)?

• CAN YOU HAVE A CHILD-FREE WEDDING?

• WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOUR HOSTS FORGET TO INVITE YOUR WIFE?

• DO YOU HAVE TO INVITE YOUR BOSS?

Exploring the nuptial maze from every angle, Something New demonstrates how everyone involved with a wedding (and even people who are left out) can use etiquette to suit his or her needs — for better, never for worse.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416949107
Publisher:	Gallery Books
Publication date:	02/19/2008
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Elise Mac Adam is the author of Something New. Her writing and interviews have appeared in Real Simple, the New York Daily News, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Martha Stewart Weddings, and more.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Etiquette Is for Everyone

Chapter 1: Plunging In: Getting Engaged and Opening Pandora's Box

Chapter 2: The Root of All Evil: Money

Chapter 3: Bridesmaidland: The Wedding Party and Its Discontents

Chapter 4: Prenuptial Frolics: Engagement Celebrations, Bridal Showers, Bachelor Parties, and Bachelorette Bashes

Chapter 5: Hitting the Road: Eloping and Destination Weddings

Chapter 6: Guess Who's Coming: Guest List Negotiations

Chapter 7: Brass Tacks: Planning Principles

Chapter 8: In Print: Wedding Stationery and What to Write on It

Chapter 9: Asking, Giving, and Getting: The Politics of Registries and Wedding Presents

Chapter 10: Questions of Dress: From White Gowns to Wet Suits

Chapter 11: The Last Supper: The Rehearsal and the Rehearsal Dinner

Chapter 12: Ceremony or Talent Show: Vows, Readings, and Performances

Chapter 13: Gathering the Nearest and Dearest: Guest Behavior

Chapter 14: Sustenance and Civility: The Ins and Outs of the Wedding Reception

Chapter 15: Do I Have To? Thank-You Notes

Chapter 16: Coping with the Worst: Postponement, Disownment, Cancellation, Disillusion

Epilogue: The Honeymoon's Over: A New Beginning

Editorial Reviews

"Not only does Elise Mac Adam know (and tell you) all about weddings, engagement parties, registries, invitations, showers, dinner menus, gowns, best men, and much more, she also illustrates every subject with a fascinatingly strange or sticky etiquette problem which she often resolves with entertaining unpredictability."

— Cheryl Mendelson, author of Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House

"The perfect companion for the contemporary couple! Something New is lively with indispensable advice, innovative solutions, and real-life stories that will ease any wedding journey, from an elopement to a black-tie affair."

— Kamy Wicoff, author of I Do but I Don't: Why the Way We Marry Matters

From the Publisher