3.67

2

Jun 30, 2011

Beautiful photos of some of the chic-est and most coordinated weddings I've seen, with upbeat text from (celebrity?) wedding/event planner Colin Cowie.

While the photos were beautiful, I realised quite quickly the book's main vision didn't match what I had already had in mind for my wedding. The focus is definitely toward larger, grander weddings, that drip with luxury (which I guess would match the "Chic" in the title). Separate sections for flowers, stationary and other paper, linens & Beautiful photos of some of the chic-est and most coordinated weddings I've seen, with upbeat text from (celebrity?) wedding/event planner Colin Cowie.

While the photos were beautiful, I realised quite quickly the book's main vision didn't match what I had already had in mind for my wedding. The focus is definitely toward larger, grander weddings, that drip with luxury (which I guess would match the "Chic" in the title). Separate sections for flowers, stationary and other paper, linens & other decor, cake, and attire.

Fine for fantasy and as a look book to generate ideas, but not so fitting for someone who already has a different vision, or is further along in their planning.

Pros:
- Beautiful photos that focus on glamour and sophisticaion for formal weddings, and plenty for beach / destination weddings
- Cowie stresses that it's the details that make a wedding special, and in the text stresses the importantance of personalising and finding things that feel comfortable (going as far to tip brides to have two pairs of shoes - one larger for end of night - and to forgo a designer gown, if budget-wise it's placed against a champagne toast)

Cons:
- It might be fine to pick and choose what you like from each section, but there doesn't seem to be "help" in tying the themes together from section to section
- While Cowie does indicate he prefers to use local flowers and decorations for destination weddings, the ceremony and traditions cited are definitely more western style. Does not offer much for inter-cultural marriages or Eastern traditions. ...more

2

Dec 01, 2009

This book presents Colin Cowie's recommendations for how to design and put on the production that he considers a wedding to be. I wasn't sold on the whole idea. In fact, there were a number of statements that I read that I just thought must be a joke. Cowie kept referring to "your wedding vision." Now, I'm all for a fun and meaningful wedding, but that idea that every detail must be designed and spent money on just strikes me as the marketing that women (largely, though some men too) buy into This book presents Colin Cowie's recommendations for how to design and put on the production that he considers a wedding to be. I wasn't sold on the whole idea. In fact, there were a number of statements that I read that I just thought must be a joke. Cowie kept referring to "your wedding vision." Now, I'm all for a fun and meaningful wedding, but that idea that every detail must be designed and spent money on just strikes me as the marketing that women (largely, though some men too) buy into about how a wedding must be the best day of your life. Frankly, if I can't come up with other even better days across the course of the rest of my life I'm going to be pretty sad. There were some nice (and not expensive) ideas that I may take from, but every pictures in the book struck me as an overproduced wedding event that I would feel uncomfortable inviting people to, let alone paying for. ...more

4

Feb 11, 2015

This is an amazing book. In winter 2008 my sisters and I helped host a wedding shower and enjoyed studying all the details about weddings! Since this year I was fondly reminiscing on those times and wished to duplicate the delightful feeling of weddings, I checked out several new books from our library. This one is packed with incredible, unbelievable wedding ideas! You certainly get your money's worth with this book. Although most of the ideas are a little too expensive and elabourate for the This is an amazing book. In winter 2008 my sisters and I helped host a wedding shower and enjoyed studying all the details about weddings! Since this year I was fondly reminiscing on those times and wished to duplicate the delightful feeling of weddings, I checked out several new books from our library. This one is packed with incredible, unbelievable wedding ideas! You certainly get your money's worth with this book. Although most of the ideas are a little too expensive and elabourate for the average bride, the ideas will inspire even the most frugal bride. And even if you're not in the wedding stage, just looking at this book is enjoyable. Think Pinterest, in book form! ...more

3

May 11, 2010

Well, I guess if you have money to spare Colin Cowie has some great ideas, such as a silver champagne bucket filled with a dozen bottles of Cristal. Some of the pictures were bad as well, not what you would expect from a high end wedding. All in all, it is good inspiration that can translate in to realistic events.

2

Nov 26, 2012

Wonderful photos, but every idea in this book is crazy-lavish and expensive, expensive, EXPENSIVE ! Not what I had in mind for my wedding. Custom dyed silk ribbons? Sterling silver champagne buckets? Full orchestra? Firework displays? Live acrobat performers? I don't think so.

2

Mar 11, 2010

skimmed it in 2 minutes, was horrified, will completely disregard and do my own thing. sure its a perfectly helpful book for those who want the over the top wedding and it has pretty pictures but not for me who wants a tiny family/close friends party with a quick 'i do' tossed in at some point.

2

Jul 01, 2009

Bleh, not my decorating taste at all. Too expensive and too... over-the-top cable wedding show. This will definitely be a great book for some people, it just wasn't for me.