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Vera Wang On Weddings (Hardcover)
From Publishers Weekly
For many a bride-to-be, "gown by Vera Wang" conjures
an image of style and luxury and above all a feeling of elegance.
Vera Wang on Weddings is an examination and explanation of the
whole event. from proposal to honeymoon, full of advice and anecdotes.
The designer and former Vogue editor says that even though the
tradition is centuries old, each wedding is an individual event
shaped by those involved, and anything is possible today. Her
gowns and design ideas are splendidly displayed in Paolo Roversi's
photography, and the photos from her own and other weddings add
to the luxurious, intimate feeling of the book. Foreword by Anna
Book Description
The world's most successful bridal gown designer shares
her vision for this most important event -- the wedding. Rather
than a soup-to-nuts approach with endless lists of what to do,
Vera Wang details each aspect of the wedding with her thoughts
and ideas, culled from years of experience in the wedding business.
From budgets and bouquets to cake and communication,
Vera imparts her wisdom and advice. All the traditional parts
of planning a wedding -- invitations, registries, and music --
are included, but what sets this book apart from all the others
are the little things she pays attention to. The First Dance.
The Bride Who Wears Glasses. Fittings (and weight fluctuations!).
The Garter (“Do I Have to Do That?”)
A wedding book by Vera Wang wouldn't be complete
without detail on the bride's gown. She explains how to select
the right neckline, construction, length, bodice, and waistline
for each bride's figure. What fabrics are appropriate for certain
times of day. How to choose among a veil, headband, flower blossoms
or bows for a headpiece. All of this is accompanied by hundreds
of photographs that illustrate Vera's vision.
Review: Makes Itself Helpful By Presenting Each Aspect
Of A Successful Wedding In Minimalistic Sections.
This book became the Bible of a certain bride I knew when she
was getting married in a VERY big service and I was one of her
friends involved early on in much of the planning. We had about
three other mass market wedding books as well as a hired advisor/planner
but those were quickly cast aside in favor of this one. Soon more
faith was placed in this book than in tomorrow's sunrise. "What's
Vera say about..." became the catch-phrase of the season.
Vera Wang and her staff not only create beautiful
wedding dresses, but they know the occasion of wedding from A
to Z. Fair warning, this book does pre-suppose that some serious
money is going to be invested in the service and reception, but
for those who are planning a once in a lifetime event they want
special in every way, I know of no other source I'd put more faith
in than this. Everything is compartmentalized and arranged so
that the important aspects merit more attention than those that
can simply wait till later. I also liked the "take it easy,
things will be all right" message that kept popping up almost
subliminally in the little reassurances that were scattered about.
Those were really appreciated by those of us who were dealing
with a perpetually freaked out bride, and in a few cases, made
a real difference.
I'm in favor of something more minimalist when it
comes to weddings, but for those who want an elaborate service
and don't mind spending a lot of money to get it, then this is
a book that prove worthwhile more times than you'll be able to
count.
Review: Elegant Fabulousness
Beautifully presented... a wonderful showcase of blissfully simple
yet incredibly elegant gowns... also features glimpses into fabulous
famous brides & their weddings.... very inspirational &
truly lovely ....
Review: A beautiful coffee-table
style book with some helpful info.
As other reviewers have said, this is a gorgeous book. It's very
oversized--larger even than most coffee-table style books--and
has lovely pictures throughout which cover every aspect of wedding
celebrations. Included, of course, are many samples of Wang's
own work as a bridal gown designer as well as photos from her
own wedding. As a wedding planner, however, this book is less
useful. Although Wang does include her own commentary, some of
which is interesting and helpful, there really isn't enough information
for the book to be used as comprehensive planner. Furthermore,
the organization of the book is somewhat confusing, as it does
not follow a typical wedding planning chronology. Despite these
issues, brides-to-be and others are likelyto enjoy this book,
if only to "look at the pictures."
Review: Very lovely it is, but not
very useful
This book is a beautiful piece of publicity for Vera Wang but
the scope of content is rather myopic. I enjoyed seeing the brides
Vera Wang has dressed, but was pretty disappointed with the amount
of actual content for those planning a wedding. The book as a
graphic piece is exciting and wonderful; the use of overlays is
ethereal. But if one is trying to get to the details of wedding
planning in anything but a very formal city affair, one should
seek a different resource. The guidelines are far too sparse in
this one.
Review: Not only astonishingly beautiful,
but astonishingly useful
Fashion mavens know Vera Wang as the designer behind the wedding
gowns of such famous folk as Karenna Gore, Sharon Stone, Kristi
Yamaguchi, and more--and VOGUE readers throughout the 1980s and
early 1990s remember that she served on the editorial staff there.
But those who consider Wang to be little more than a dress designer--however
talented a dress designer she may be--will be not only pleasantly
surprised, but astonished at Wang's accomplishment in the form
of this book. "Vera Wang on Weddings" just may be the
only wedding book any bride will ever need. Clocking in at nearly
300 pages and a hefty 10" by 13.5", this is a substantive
book not only in size and weight, but in information as well.
Expecting Wang to help you out on choosing a gown? She doesn't
stop there. She gives you the benefit of her vast wedding experience
on topics ranging from choosing engagement and wedding bands to
coordinating flowers with other decorative elements at the wedding
and reception to wedding cakes to music to the formality inherent
in wedding ceremonies held at different times of day and in different
types of venues. Her expertise is enormous and detailed, but she
doesn't pelt you to death with bits of information--the lay-out
is such that it's easy to pick and choose what you want to learn
more about without being deluged with other information.
There is information here that I've never seen in
another "bride guide." Sure, it's easy enough to find
out all the different veil lengths if you want--ranging from fingertip
to cathedral to royal and every length in between--but what other
book shows you, in detail, the twenty-six (twenty-six!) different
types of necklines? Or the twenty-three different types of sleeves?
What other book takes into account different personal styles in
such a clear-eyed manner (asking the reader if she is a modernist,
a minimalist, a traditionalist, and so forth)? Wang covers second-time
brides, pregnant brides, military weddings, and even gives every
bride permission to relax no matter what her age or any other
status: "White is always appropriate." And so it is.
The book couldn't be handsomer. Harper Collins did
Wang proud by having art and design director Bridget de Socio
in charge of the book. It's clear that an enormous amount of thought
and effort went into making "Vera Wang on Weddings"
not only useful--first and foremost--but a feast for the eyes
as well. The paper is heavy and creamy--subtly echoing perhaps
the duchesse satin of a bridal gown--interspersed with occasional
sheer pages. The sheer pages feature lovely photographs of all
kinds of different items, from slender kid leather gloves to sparkling
rings to butterflies and rose petals. Through these photographs,
you then see the next page of regular paper. The effect is transforming,
and subtly echoes the manner in which a sheer bridal veil helps
put into motion the age-old metamorphosis from woman to bride.
Review: Delicious
Vera Wang presents weddings that make you want to find YOUR GUY
right away. If you are already married, it may fill you with regrets.
The layout is large and inspiring. In terms of details, you will
be happy. I do agree about using the vows and song in Ken Agori's
novel (carried by Amazon). I understand a CD is available and
Celine may record it...Vera will make you a romantic, even if
you're cynical
Review: As Luxurious and Elegant
as Her Designs
This book breathes Vera Wang. The team that assembled this clearly
understood her design philosophy: deceptively simple, clean lines,
creative craftsmanship and of course, finest quality. The book
has a large format, about 10" x 14", that showcases
the glorious photos wonderfully well. It has the feel of a chic,
glossy, fashion catalogue with much more of an artistic edge.
For example, throughout the book, there are a few translucent
vellum sheets with images of jewels, crystal goblets, or lace
veils printed upon them that are beautifully superimposed over
images on the following page. Very nice effect that is done occasionally
on wedding invitations or programs.
Vera Wang covers not only fashion, but all aspects of wedding
planning in nicely formatted, concise text that does not compete
with the collages and full-page spreads that are an elegant visual
testimony to her own wedding celebration as well as those of celebrities,
royals and socialites. There are several familiar photographs
of her gowns which were used in ads, but the layout of the book
makes them feel larger than life. You can almost feel the buttery
satin of an ivory gown and almost see the changing glitter of
a crystal beaded bodice in the light. Her appendix includes thumbnail
sketches of necklines, sleeves, skirt shapes and veils. She also
includes a very practical page on tipping!
In my own planning process, this was my favorite
"inspiration" book. Even if you're not getting married,
looking at this book is a pleasurable experience from the great
cathedral aisles to the lusciously decorated cakes. Actually,
this is probably the least expensive way to immerse yourself in
Vera Wang style!
Review: Complete, but for the vows
and music...
check out Katherine's wedding scene in Defenders of the Holy Grail
(skip the rest of that novel if you want). Really, Wang's book
is very thorough and will help you, although it's a bit pricey....
Review: For those who expect the
best
This book is a must have for those who enjoy weddings and the
celebration that surrounds them. Ms. Wang not only provides a
detailed description of the perfect wedding but also shares her
insight on receptions, invitations, guest lists, flowers and bridal
jewelry. The second half of the book is devoted to the construction
of wedding finery and gives the reader a glimpse into the House
of Vera Wang.
Review: Lavish, Elegant, Stylish,
Wonderful
This is a gorgeous book for anyone who is getting married. Naturally
I was most interested to read what Vera Wang had to say on the
subject of wedding gowns - and I wasn't disappointed. Every element
of the gown is broken down and discussed, plus the section at
the very back of the book is an invaluable resource. The photographs
are exquisite.
Review: Lush Design-Solid Content
Vera Wang on Weddings is as sumptuous and refined as the designer's
dresses. From the sheer white vellum page overlays to the beautiful
photographs of flower girls--including her own two adorable daughters--along
with reception sites featuring shimmering pools filled with floating
candles and flowers, majestic cathedrals, and of course dress
after amazing dress, this a design lover's book.
Wang shares her lifelong love of fashion and her personal experience
as a bride, but she is not self-indulgent. The focus is on the
splendor of brides and weddings in general. Apart from the lush
pictures of her clients' weddings, there is an illustrated glossary
of dress terms, and Wang offers straightforward opinions on which
silhouettes flatter which figure.
Although the book addresses everything from grooms' cakes to the
cocktail hour to the morning after brunch, in terms of wedding
planning it is mainly an inspiration book that provides a general
overview with timeless advice. While it is an excellent fashion
resource, some brides may find Martha Stewart's Best of Weddings
highlights a wider range of reception ideas--especially for less
formal weddings--with more detailed planning tips.
Review
What a fitting tribute to a classic American designer. Vera Wang
has forever changed the way we see our brides with her elegant
and graceful designs. It's wonderful to see that someone still
believes in the glamour and whimsey that accompanies, what for
many people, is the most beautiful expression of love. The photography
is a marvel and the cover is surely bound to turn heads. It begs
the question of who is the woman under the veil and leads to this
next: Who took the cover photo? I was saddened to not find the
credit for this extraordinary photo and feel that someone should
get credit for this wonderful piece of art. All in all this will
grace many coffee tables of the would be, soon to be and already
betrothed of this land. A beautiful addition to anyone's collection,
that triumphantly speaks to the magic of a wedding.
Review: breathtaking
This book belongs in your collection if you love beautiful things.The
design of the book gets a 10.Put it on your coffee table it certainly
does not belong in a book case it needs to be enjoyed and experienced.Vera
capures the very essence of what a wedding, is the fairytale without
the tackiness.the photograpers seem to capture the heart and soul
of all the couples featured.There is a section at the back that
features her garments-beautifully shown in black and white-they
are art forms on their own.Buy it for someone this christmas and
see how they respond(they will love you)
Review: Vera Wang has outdone herself
again and again...
As an event designer, Ms. Wang's book is the most thorough, simple
and elegant book I have ever read pertaining to the topic of weddings.
She has covered all the important topics that every bride is curious
to know. I enjoyed reading every page and admired every picture.
The book was so good that I'd finished it in one sitting. Since
then, I'm still admiring the book and have re-read all the topics
5 times. She is an amazing designer to say the least. Ms. Wang
is no doubt the leader in the wedding gown design industry. A
must have for every bride-to-be to read and enjoy before her wedding
day. Everything about the book is elegant and chic, just like
the clothes she designs. Ms. Wang, you are uncomparable!!!
How to Buy Your Perfect Wedding Dress (Paperback)
IT'S TIME TO BUY THE DRESS OF YOUR DREAMS!
Every year, Kleinfeld helps more than five thousand
brides find the perfect look for the biggest day of their lives.
Women from all over the world flock to the famous Brooklyn store
to choose from among their vast selection of gowns and take advantage
of the expertise of their renowned staff of bridal consultants.
This book takes you through every aspect of that unparalleled
experience so that when you finally buy your wedding dress, you
will be thrilled with your choice.
Let the owners of Kleinfeld help you define the
style that best suits you -- be it classical, romantic, or contemporary
-- and that is most appropriate for the season and setting of
the wedding. Their detailed advice covers:
WHAT DRESSES ARE BEST FOR SPECIFIC BODY TYPES, INCLUDING SILHOUETTE
AND SKIRT LENGTH
COLORS, FABRICS, AND DECORATIONS, FROM THE SIMPLEST UNADORNED
SILK TO LACE WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS
ACCESSORIES -- INCLUDING THE VEIL, SHOES, GLOVES,
JEWELRY -- AND UNDERGARMENTS
WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING TRIP
AND WHETHER OR NOT TO BRING MOM
WHAT TO EXPECT AT FITTINGS
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GOWN BEFORE AND AFTER THE WEDDING
Whether you're getting married on a beach or in
a cathedral, whether you want to look sexy, chic, or like a fairy
princess, How to Buy Your Perfect Wedding Dress can help all your
dreams come true.
Review:Quite insightful!
"How to Buy Your Perfect Wedding Dress" by Ronald Rothstein,
et al, basically deals with the the selection of a wedding dress.
The authors went into details of what dresses are suitable for
what body types and they touched on factors such as the silhouettes,
sleeves or no sleeves, trains, the back, necklines and bodies.
They also provided information on accessories such as veils, shoes,
lingerie, and gloves which are quite helpful to the bride-to-be.
In addition, the authors also gave advice on where to get the
wedding dresses, and how to take care and preserve the them.
I think this is a useful book to have for those (including me)
who have no idea of how to select the right wedding dress. The
authors provided basic to very detailed information that I think
would be good to have before actually selecting a dress. At the
very least, I learn some useful terminologies that will help me
when I actually want to talk to the wedding consultant.
Bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques
for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear (Paperback)
Amazon.com
Though ostensibly a how-to manual on wedding gown construction,
this magnificent book teaches all about advanced dressmaking skills,
and its principles can be applied to creating many other types
of haute-couture-style gowns. The very thorough text details all
aspects of fabrics and construction: the unique characteristics
of each type of fashion fabric, including extensive information
on manipulating lace; preparing the muslin mockup (a necessary
first step to ensure a perfect fit); adjusting the bodice, sleeves,
and skirt and joining them all together; adding ornamentation;
and handling bustles and trains. The final chapter presents all
the specifics of making four gowns of different styles. The novice
and even the advanced sewer will learn much here, and perhaps
best of all, pattern-drafting experience is not required--the
author works her transformations on purchased patterns. If you're
ambitious enough to make your own wedding gown, this book is absolutely
essential, but even if you're hiring someone else to custom-make
your gown, you'll find this an invaluable guide. And anyone pursuing
a dressmaking career should have this important reference work
on the shelf. --Amy Handy
Review: bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques for Wedding
Gowns and Evening Wear
This is a very good book with all the details you ever want to
know on how to sew a wedding gown.
I would recommend it.
Review: fine techniques but out of
date style for Europe
If you have a strong interest in making bodices this is a good
book to add to your collection.
For me, the only problem is the limmited amount of techniques
being described.
Susan Khalje for me is someone who really knows what she's talking
about, but she seems a little conservative. ( style wise ) Then
again, i'm European and i have this problem with more books from
the us.
But, i am glad i have bought it.
Review: A MUST HAVE for all sewing
enthusiasts
I bought this book never having heard of the author before. I
was fairly "blown away" by the high quality of the information
offered, the wonderful works shown and the fact that this author
obviously cares about those who will use her book. She provides
her readers with some of the best, complete and accurate information
I have ever seen written in a book. The reader (in this case me)
knows that she/he is being provided with information of the highest
standard, the author doesn't withhold important facts and obviously
loves what she does as seen in the quality work she produces.
Sewing from the soul.
I don't do Bridal Sewing but am interested in Couture Sewing.
This book is one of the finest on the subject. I highly recommend
it.
Review: Everthing I hoped for!
As an experienced amateur seamstress I was looking for a book
that would guide me through both designing and sewing a wedding
dress for my 6'3" daughter. This book was exactly what I
needed to accomplish my goal. Step by step I was able to complete
each part of the gown. The final product was stunning and much
of the beauty of the gown was because of the construction techniques
on the inside that no one would know about eg. lining the fabric
(bodice only) with white baby flannelette and treating it as one
piece. The beautiful, smooth, princess seams were perfect. In
reading the details and applying them to my situation I was able
to create a lovely gown. With a good sewing background, a passion
for perfection, love for my daughter and her dream dress AND this
wonderful book it was everything I had hoped for and would highly
recommend it.
The Wedding Dress (Hardcover)
Review: Beautiful Quotes
The book has various photos of gowns dating back in history and
until now, some photos are more wedding snapshots. It has a little
bit of history behind the wedding dress and what i found the most
exciting was that on every second page was quotations about celebrating
love and marriage. I found the quotations more interesting than
the photos themselves.
The Knot Book of Wedding Gowns [BARGAIN PRICE]
Book Description
What's the real difference between an $800 gown and an
$8000 gown? Is Dupioni better than Duchesse? When do you need
a crinoline, and what is a crumb catcher? From the creator of
the #1 online wedding resource, The Knot Book of Wedding Gowns
provides the answers to these questions and thousands more. The
perfect gift for a bride-to-be, this lavishly illustrated book--more
than 250 color photographs and illustrations--tells her everything
she needs to know about the single most expensive and important
piece of clothing she will ever own. The only fully comprehensive
book on the subject, The Knot Book of Wedding Gowns dissects the
construction of the dress; profiles the numerous styles; defines
and illustrates hundreds of varieties of fabrics, laces, embellishments,
and accessories; and provides straightforward counsel on which
cuts work best with which fabrics, and what styles look best on
which body types. In addition, informative sections explain how
and where to search for a dress, how to pull everything together
to achieve the perfect look, and how to care for the masterpiece
when the wedding is over. Fascinating bits of history throughout
unveil the traditions and significance of this most important
piece of clothing.
Review: Just ok.
The book is okay for casual browsing but it not imformative
enough to use as a reference guide. I would have liked to have
seen more discussion of various styles and types of gowns for
various ceremony settings, body types, time of year, etc. Not
to mention, the dresses used as examples are not very current
or fashion forward; they appear rather dated. And the use of mannequins
to display the gowns rather than actual models I found to be very
cold and impersonal. It is rather boring to read and gives more
a broad history lesson of wedding gowns than something an actual
bride can use to assist her in her gown search.
Review: Great for learning the basics
As someone who didn't know anything about wedding dresses, I really
loved this book. It describes all of the basics -- dress silhouettes,
bodices, skirt shapes, fabrics, etc., including illustrations
-- and discusses which types look best on different body shapes.
It also explains the different types of fabrics, details, and
train lengths. I am sure that this knowledge will be really helpful
to me when I go dress shopping. The bridal shops have so many
types of dresses, that it is nice to be able to narrow down my
choices a little beforehand.
Review: Alright I guess...
This book was okay, I would suggest reading through it in a bookstore.
No need to spend the money.
Review: best book I've seen
Great pictures and good explanations of how to shop for and what
to look for in a gown. It helps you understand why they cost so
much!
Bridal Gowns: How to Make the Wedding Dress
of Your Dreams (Paperback)
Review: A Good Guide, But Know How to Sew
I was toying with the idea of making my own dress and bought this
book. The author is very knowledgeable and the text is well-written.
However, if you are a novice you do not want to ACTUALLY attempt
a dress without either a.)guidance, or b.)other books to walk
you through. This is written for those who truly understand patterns
and sewing. However, if you don't sew it is a great book to understand
what things you should be looking for if you are having it made
by a dressmaker, and the types of fabric/necklines/veils, etc.
If you're expecting a step-by-step this is not the book for you.
Review: Wonderful!
Well written, clearly illustrated, great on all the details. Obviously
written by a pro who is very creative! Highly recommended even
if you don't plan to sew your own--you will get lots of ideas
to have the perfect dress made for your special day!
Review: New to the Game
This book seems to be very helpful. It is very detailed about
the different types of fabrics to be used with suggestions of
ease for each material. The section on lace is also very good.
The section on headpieces is rather scimpy, though. I only wish
that there were more color pictures of actual gowns (there are
two), lace, and headpieces. Overall, this book gives you the confidence
to go out and actually design your own dress and then to make
it. (I'll update my review if I have gone over my head.)
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