Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction xv
Part 1 Poetry, prose, quips and quotes relating to weddings, marriage, romantic partnership and love.
1 To Have and To Hold 3
Comfort 3
Commitment 7
Communication 9
Conviction 11
Courtship 19
Devotion 34
Faith 42
Family and Home 44
Fate 45
Follow Your Heart, Not Your Head 49
Happiness, Joy and Laughter 51
Intimacy 57
Love 59
Marriage Itself 73
Partnership, Friendship and Companionship 82
Passion 92
Sex 97
Soul Mates … 104
… But We're Still Individuals 114
Vows And Blessings 116
Wedding Day 124
Words About Husbands 130
Words About Wives 133
2 For Better or For Worse 141
Beautiful in Your Eyes 141
Because of You, Life is Better 142
Compromise and Tolerance 144
Constancy 150
Etiquette and Fashion 154
Fighting 160
Hardship 162
Holding it Together 165
Maturity 168
Myths and Folklore 169
Power 171
Surprise 173
3 For Richer or For Poorer 175
Values … 175
… and Lack Thereof 178
Sharing the Love 179
Sharing the Wealth 181
Success 183
4 In Sickness and In Health 185
Healthy Habits 185
Love Helps you Grow 185
Love in a Time of Sickness 190
Love Sets You Free 190
5 Till Death Do You Part 193
Forever Love 193
It's Better When You're Older … 209
…Or Not 213
Love Keeps You Young 215
Part 2 How to Say It 217
How to use poetry, prose, quips and quotes to customize your wedding.
6 Make Your Wedding Website Sing … or Rhyme 219
How to use poetry, prose, quips and quotes to personalize your wedding website, share information with style and create excitement and community around your big day.
7 Personalize Your Invitations and Pre-Wedding Parties 225
How to use poetry, prose, quips and quotes on your save-the-date cards, invitations, wedding shower, bachelor/ bachelorette parties and rehearsal dinner.
8 Customize Your Ceremony 235
How to use poetry, prose, quips and quotes to help you walk down the aisle in your personal style.
9 Rock Your Reception Your Way 247
How to use poetry, prose, quips and quotes during toasts and throughout your post-nuptial party. Includes creative cross-cultural traditions and do-it-yourself ideas.
10 Tailor Your Second Wedding or Vow Renewal to Fit You 257
How to use poetry, prose, quips and quotes to make your remarriage or vow renewal speak about you.
11 You Can Put Poetry There?! Extra Touches and DIY Details 267
Creative, do-it-yourself ways to incorporate language, from the moment you announce your pending wedding until you drive off for your honeymoon. Includes wedding favors, thank-you notes and do-it-yourself ideas for specific wedding themes.
After Words 277
Permission Credits 279