cover image Best Wedding Shower Book: A Complete Guide for Party Planners

Best Wedding Shower Book: A Complete Guide for Party Planners

Courtney Cooke. Meadowbrook Press, $7 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-671-64171-9

Cooke (The Best Baby Shower Book provides an encyclopedic look at wedding showers that includes a discussion of prewedding traditions in other cultures and a look at the roots of American customs. (For example, ""The bridal veil originated in ancient Greece and Rome, where it symbolized youth and virginity.'') There are pointers on planning the shower (``don't expect people to balance a sit-down meal on their laps''); checklists; suggestions for themes (kitchen showers, romance showers) with appropriate food, activities and decorations; and advice on ``keeping the party rolling.'' Cooke is a tad cute at times, recommending, for example, that shower guests make a list of endearments for the couple to use in marriage``the more creative or ridiculous, the funnier.'' But readers can pick and choose among the ideas offered, and this book will help anyone stage a successful shower. (July)