I particularly liked the fact that Mead basically lays out as given both that wedding costs are out of control and that most people getting married are smart enough to realize this, and then focuses on why otherwise-rational people get sucked in regardless. Although we can list most of the 'rite of passage' aspects to weddings that no longer exist for most couples (creating the motive vacuum that the wedding industry then fills), Mead lays out more than you would come up with off the top of your head, and provides extra background. I loved the concept of 'traditionalesque.' And as with everything else these days, it turns out to be about the Millennials (I'm GenX like the author). Sometimes the snark annoyed me, but I know that's what most people like to read/hear these days. I was particularly uncomfortable with her jabs at her interviewee's personal lives, however. I've been reading her stuff for years; she knows how to be more professional than that. And it's odd that she left it up to the blurbs etc to reveal to readers that she's not herself American. I think that's an important angle. ( )

An eye-opening and re-assuring read that reveals just how much all things wedding is big business primarily targeted towards women and how much nonsense it all is. All the individualization we do to make the day ours is part of the mass marketing. It's insane and begs the question: Why are we buying into it? I highly recommend this book to anyone, male or female, that is about to get married, has been married, or hopes to get married because I think it's a vital reality check that forces us to re-examine the choices we are making. ( )

Synopsis: Mead ends her book with the question, "What is a wedding for?" This question lurks throughout the book as she explores the imposing, and commercialized wedding industry. The author says that this industry claims to be a $160 billion industry - and one must agree when one stops to think about what a spectacle an American wedding is today. With hundreds of different enterprises and thousands of companies vying for the bride and groom's attention and persuading the couple that they must have the companies product to obtain the couple's "perfect, dream wedding." Mead tackles everything from wedding planners, engagement rings and online registries to bridal gowns from Chinese sweat-shops, the Las Vegas quickie chaples, and Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings program. The book had a slow beginning, but picked up and cemented the thoughts I already had on the wedding industry. It is an insightful book to read as I plan my wedding this year :)

Pros: the anecdotes that the author gives to support facts; the amount of the industry that the author covered and talks about
Cons: wordy and redundant ideas - not getting to the point quickly enough, and not enough anecdotes for my preference ( )

I just started reading this book and I am very glad I did! I was starting to get sucked into (my idea) of that "one perfect day" and this book snapped me out of that! ( )

Interesting information about the business of American weddings. Good content, although a bit repetitive. It seemed to be in need of more editing. Some sentences were so long, I had to go back to the beginning of the sentence to remember the subject! Also could have done with more anecdotes to flesh out her points. ( )