Legendary Brides [Hardcover]

A brief chronology of how each couple met is followed by a description of the wedding in exquisite, in-depth, yet tasteful detail and accompanied by several stunning photographs and illustrations. One learns that Princess Grace's gown was made of twenty five yards of silk gros de longre, three hundred yards of antique Valenciennes lace and that her lace-trimmed veil consisted of ninety yards of silk tulle; Princess Diana's wedding ring was crafted from the same nugget of Welsh gold used for the rings of the Queen Mother, the Queen, and Princesses Margaret and Anne; Jackie Bouvier carried a bouquet of pink and white spray orchids, stephanotis and miniature gardenias. The preparations, the ceremonies, the receptions and quotes from those involved in each occasion are all brought together in an entertaining chronicle of events.

After the description of each bride's wedding, a particular wedding topic is highlighted. For example, in the chapter on Queen Victoria, guidelines on yesterday's and today's gowns and rings are given. Romona Keveza seems to be Ms. Baldrige's designer of choice, and her gowns serve as visual aids in the glossary of gown styles and dress details. This is, of course, a book written by the contemporary expert on etiquette, and much advice on invitations, cakes, floral designers, and attendant gifts is offered.

An added bonus is the montage of photos on scattered pages that depict other royal and Hollywood weddings. A beautiful book to help capture the look and feel of an elite wedding, but somehow makes you think twice about how few of these weddings were true and heartfelt.

That said, there are great things about this book and not-so-great things. It's fun to see so many photos of these lovely brides--among them, the two named above and Jacqueline Kennedy, Princess Grace, Wallis Warfield Simpson, and Consuelo Vanderbilt. Many of the photos were either previously unpublished or not well-known by the general public, so they appear here in fresh light. The photos and the handsome graphic design are among the excellent things about the book, as are the little anecdotes (such as what each famous bridal couple gave each other and the members of their wedding parties as gifts).

The down side is that Baldrige tries to meld a wedding etiquette book with a coffee table overview of, well, legendary brides. I'm not sure it works all that well. While she undoubtedly has excellent advice to offer all of us on the planning and execution of a memorable wedding, I for one would have preferred that these pages had been devoted to a broader group of other legendary brides. What, for instance, of the English Queen Mother and King George? What about the current Japanese crown prince and princess? What about other well-known society or Hollywood brides? Others are touched on lightly here, but Baldrige doesn't devote the space to them that her title promises.