Frustrated by the exorbitant costs and uneven quality of available wedding accessories, a mother-and-daughter team set out to rectify the situation by designing their own. The result is a lovely book filled with nice ways to add a personal touch to all aspects of a wedding, from the preplanning stages to the ceremony, honeymoon, and long after. Although many ideas are typical wedding-craft items (bridal purse, ringbearer's pillow, keepsake garter, sachets, and the like), the presentation is appealing, with good photos and instructions for 52 step-by-step projects, plus dozens more ideas for simple craft items, from picture frames to scrapbooks to party favors. Most items are relatively inexpensive to make and require only basic sewing or crafting skills. Sidebars offer useful advice on finding a good photographer, getting a passport, caring for fine linens, and much more. Before things get too hectic, make a pretty accordion file to keep everything organized, and choose meaningful gifts for the wedding party from a list of three dozen suggestions. Rather than expensive, short-lived cut flowers, consider dried topiaries as centerpieces. When it all gets overwhelming, relax with easily concocted, soothing bath and beauty products. To keep the celebration going indefinitely, a section of "happily ever after" projects covers anniversaries and everyday reminders of the wedding (such as a breakfast-in-bed tray adorned with bridal lace and dried bouquet petals). Be sure to leave the book where family and friends will spot it, and perhaps they will surprise you with little extras, like a small hope chest or a bon voyage basket of reception goodies tucked in the getaway car. -- amazon,com
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