Tying the Knot: Hit the Books

Somebody is Going to Die if Lilly Beth Doesn’t Catch that Bouquet: The Official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Hosting the Perfect Wedding by Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays ($20, Hyperion, April 2007)

Break out the hankies because there will be tears—of laughter, that is. In this hilarious menagerie of advice, recipes, and anecdotes so bizarre they must be true, the Mississippi Delta-bred authors capture all the elements (read: eccentricities) of a Southern wedding and its attendants. Every bit as delicious as your Aunt Effie’s shoofly pie, this playful primer on Southern life and love is meant to be savored.

Wedding Knits: Handmade Gifts for Every Member of the Wedding Party by Suss Cousins ($32, Potter Craft, January 2007)

Famous (even among celebs) for her sought-after knitwear, Cousins tenders an eye-catching cache of 30 full-color patterns for hand-knitted wedding fare and wares. From a dainty ring pillow to the requisite something-blue garter and delicate lingerie for the honeymoon, too, these designs (which are geared toward every skill level) will inspire you to get your knit on.

Inspirations by Preston Bailey ($45, Bulfinch, November 2006)

Preston Bailey, the reigning king of star-studded events, gives a tantalizing peek into his over-the-top affairs ($250,000 chandeliers, anyone?). Lush and fantastical, this stunning sourcebook brims with gorgeous photographs from 10 receptions that range from the absolutely avant garde to awe-inspiring Old-World romance. With Bailey’s practical tips and personal anecdotes, even non-A-listers can extract inventive ideas and dreams aplenty from this tome.