February 1, 2009
Being environmentally responsible has become so mainstream today that many wedding books acknowledge it, but "The Green Bride Guide" covers the topic thoroughly. Going well beyond standard tips (like using recycled paper for invitations), Harrison's book even explores options for slow-food receptions, touts buying locally, and encourages fair trade as Emily Elizabeth Anderson did in her shorter work, "Eco-Chic Weddings". Like Anderson, Harrison is never didactic, even when broaching human rights issues related to diamond rings and pesticide-laden flowers. An environmental lawyer who recently married an environmental historian, the author enthusiastically shares sound ideas and current resources to help couples find a balance between the wedding industry's hype and their own personal values. Recommended.
Actor Bridger's irreverent book highlights the well-established trend of grooms taking an active role in wedding planning. As an unknown writer, he related his own transformation into groomzilla in the 2006 "New York Times" article "Men Don't Care About Weddings? Groomzilla Is Hurt" and subsequently got a book deal. However, Bridger admits in his introduction that this book is "all fake advice and silly pictures." Unfortunately, he seems to have lost sight of his intended audience: heterosexual women, not pubescent males. Unlike the author, most brides probably do not think of the Internet as the place to "find free videos of naughty Dutch girls who need spanking." Libraries wanting to update wedding humor might consider something funnier, more tasteful, and with wider appeal, like Claire Lewis's "Exposed: Confessions of a Wedding Photographer. Surviving" is not recommended.Bonnie Poquette, Milwaukee
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