It's Your Wedding - Not Theirs

The Bridal Biz not only triples the price of wedding services, it literally takes the wedding away from the bride and makes it an impersonal, secular event¿that is all they know¿and treats your wedding like a Ken and Barbie runway at a fashion show, based on Hollywood movies and silly TV shows. It¿s Your Wedding¿Not Theirs is a comprehensive, creative guide to help you plan a distinctively unique, personal and sacred celebration. If you want a Martha Stewart wedding, do not buy this book. With photos and suggestions from 55 brides, this book offers dozens of tips on how to make your celebration a memorable experience, not just an expensive event. This simple, 65 page guide book will walk you through 40 plus chapters, including your goal, your attitude, your groom, your mother, your focus or theme, your family, your budget, your guest list, your location, your celebrant, your wardrobe, your rings, your vendors, your ceremony, your legal requirements, your program, your rehearsal and dinner, your ceremony and reception, your honeymoon, and your marriage. With very practical tips on every aspect of your wedding weekend¿from welcome to readings and love letters to vows and symbols of unity to cultural customs, favors, toasts and cake¿this book shows you how to present yourselves as hosts rather than self-conscious stars and how to move from a costly, cookie cutter party to a sacred, fun, mature, memorable celebration.

With a degree and 45 years of experience in marriage and family counseling, and after celebrating over 2000 weddings. Miles O¿Brien Riley, Ph.D. is eminently qualified to help today¿s brides plan a personal and spiritual wedding. Father Miles brings to this guidebook doctoral studies in theology (Gregorian University, Rome) and in communication (U.C. Berkeley.) As a media professional for 30 years, he published 13 books, wrote and directed 5 musicals and 10 films, produced and hosted 1500 TV and 4000 radio programs, and received 3 Emmys and 10 Gabriel Awards for outstanding broadcasting. He understands sacred drama. In addition to his 45 years as a preacher and teacher, spiritual advisor and marriage counselor, Miles has led training seminars and workshops in 46 states in the U.S. and 50 countries worldwide. His most popular topics include: *Keys to Happiness: Faith, Family and Forgiveness*Enrich Your Love and Your Life*Love Heals: creative grieving and dealing with loss*Tell The Truth With Kindness: the ten essentials of effective communication*Ethical Leadership: making others great with integrity*Love, It¿s an Inside Job*Forgiveness is the Gift You Give Yourself*It¿s Your Wedding¿Not Theirs: how to personalize and spiritualize your celebration