Always The Bride

THE STORY: In this hilarious comedic romp, four friends have sworn to keep the promise they made on the night of their Senior Prom: to be in each other's weddings...no matter what. More than thirty years later, these Southern friends-for-life are still maki

Headed for the altar? The Bride's Handbook is more than the typical wedding planner. It shows you that preparing for marriage is more than guests lists and seating arrangements.

Any one about to read this work of fiction might properly be apprised beforehand that it is not a novel: it has neither the structure nor the purpose of The Novel. It is a story. There are two characters - a middle-aged married couple living in a plain farmhouse; one point on the field of human nature is located; at that point one subject is treated; in the treatment one movement is directed toward one climax; no external event whatsoever is introduced; and the time is about forty hours.

What No One Tells the Bride is the inside scoop--good and bad--on what it's really like being married. In these pages, journalist Marg Stark breaks the newlywed code of silence and exposes the profound adjustments brides often experience. Stark and 50 married women tell their stories--showing others how to handle turbulence on cloud nine--and reveal marital truths, such as: You don't feel like a "Mrs." Sometimes you even dream about old boyfriends. You write all the wedding gift thank-you notes. So you are doomed to your mother's life--60 years of doing more than your share? Making love is the last thing on your mind when you have the flu and haven't showered for days. But he still wants to. You tell him you got these incredible bargains and quietly resent having to justify your spending. You have shining moments when marriage feels absolutely right, but nevertheless you pine for something more. Humorous and compassionate--with advice from marriage counselors, ministers, financial advisors, and sex therapists--What No One Tells the Bride is not only a practical guide for every newly married woman, it also makes the perfect wedding shower gifts.

She never thought she'd go back Fifteen years was a long time to be away, but not nearly long enough when Alyssa Morgan had nothing to show for her time. Unless you'd count three failed marriages, two parents she barely spoke to, one disastrous attempt at a college degree, and zero friends to count on. He found himself at Amavita... Jake Monroe thought about leaving Amavita Estates many times after Alyssa left him. Over the years, her family became his family. They accepted him. Loved him. Healed him. Her family was the family he never had, and without her around to remind him otherwise, he could pretend he was one of them. Until she walked back into his world looking nothing like the girl he used to know. Can their differences bring them together again? Alyssa knows she needs to stay away from Jake. Jake wants nothing to do with her. But the chemistry that drew them together fifteen years ago is stronger than they are.

"A guide for mothers of brides-to-be. Includes checklists, responsibilities, and suggestions for wedding preparation"--

Everything you need to plan the wedding of your dreams. When it's time to start planning your special day, there is no better source to turn to than Modern Bride. The #1 bridal magazine gives you expert advice every step of the way--from selecting the perfect sites for the ceremony and reception to handling the potential conflicts and special challenges that today's couples face. Now Modern Bride Complete Wedding Planner offers you the most thorough, up-to-date information on every aspect of your engagement and wedding. Here you'll find: * Checklists, charts, and worksheets to keep you organized and guarantee that you don't overlook anything * Best choices for your invitations, ceremony, music, reception, flowers, and bridal gown * A quiz that identifies priorities and points out potential complications before they arise * Contemporary solutions for solving today's etiquette dilemmas with common sense and tact * Tips for planning ethnic, theme, and honeymoon weddings, as well as marrying again and reaffirmation celebrations * Sample budgets for actual weddings in different regions