Bride and Groom's Instruction Manual Giveaway

For the bride-to-be who dreads her wedding day as much as she dreams of its frothy, fabulous splendor, The Bride’s Instruction Manual (Quirk Books, January 2009, $15.95) trims away the unnecessary frills and gets right down to business. Author Carrie Denny gives brides a practical education in a lively and trustworthy voice that’s just as comfortable gushing about hydrangeas as it is interrogating photographers and whittling down the guest list.

There are tons of bridal books on the market, but The Bride’s Instruction Manual stands apart thanks to its hilarious, iconographic illustrations and the signature style of Quirk’s Owner’s Manuals. (The series has sold more than one million copies around the world!) This is not a book for Bridezillas, but an irreverent guide for the bride who wants to make her wedding as straightforward and simply extraordinary as her relationship with her honey.

With candid, easy-to-follow tips, The Bride’s Instruction Manual wards off the questions, concerns, hives, and heart palpitations that may accompany planning a wedding . A handy appendix provides tear-out checklists, worksheets, and resource guides to keep brides on track and on budget, so they can focus on the fun stuff (establishing a dress-shopping entourage! deciding which flowers fit your personal style! selecting a wedding band that’ll perfectly complement the engagement ring!) rather than the stressful (uninvited plus-ones! feuding in-laws! rehearsal dinner meltdowns!).

For Grooms: Ever wonder why women are always so wedding savvy and men are so—well, clueless? How does a bride know so much about seating charts, flowers, and not only her own nuptial attire but her groom’s as well? Because until now there’s never been a wedding planning book for men like The Groom’s Instruction Manual: How to Survive and Possibly Even Enjoy the Most Bewildering Ceremony Known to Man, by veteran groom Shandon Fowler (Quirk Books, $15.95, 208 pages).
A quick trip to the bookstore reveals two types of wedding planning books for would-be grooms: advice from a woman (a.k.a. someone who will never be a groom) and men who take their role in the battle of the sexes too seriously. The Groom’s Instruction Manual is for the stand-up twenty-first century-gentleman. Let’s face it, gone are the days when a groom could sit back and let his fiancée plan the entire wedding. Modern grooms want to make their fiancée happy. They want their wedding to have style and panache. They also want their friends to look back on the Big Day with fond memories. The Groom’s Instruction Manual will aid men who are ready to take the plunge, giving them all the necessary knowledge about:
-Getting engaged (popping the question, finding a ring, possibly consulting the parents)
-Wedding planning (choosing a location, creating a guest list, understanding your role)
-The wedding itself (rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, the wedding night)
-Post-wedding (honeymooning, thank-you notes, newlywedding)
And much more!

Both books are available at book stores nationwide and also at www.quirkbooks.com.

Giveaway: One lucky winner will receive a copy of the Bride's Instruction Manual and the Groom's Instruction manual. Post a comment telling me who you'd like to win these books for. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you. Ends 4/21/09.