Add a message There are now 15 messages in Rebecca Mead's guestbook. 1 2 3 >>> Viewing messages 1 to 5. Message 1 - Julia I've just finished your book about weddings and loved it. I am not married, have never been married, and have no plans ever to get married, but I fully appreciated your book as social commentary and for the juicy, fun, and gory details about weddings and all things associated with them. I also enjoyed your writing style very much. 25 January 2008 Message 2 - Victoria What a fantastic look inside the world of bridal. Very accurate and not full of anger by many other books putting the "mom and pop" bridal store in a bad light. Even the story of David's Bridal talks more about the business instead of complaining. Wishing you the best and letting everyone know, this book is a must read. Sincerly, Victoria Victoria's Bridal Couture 1302 East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 7 September 2007 Message 3 - Adam Gutterman Rebecca, I've always appreciated your writings in the New Yorker, in particular the article about English gastronomy. The publishing of your book coincided with the planning of my wedding (to my bride to be, Rebekah). It's our second wedding, both to each other. We married in front of 50 or so of our friends at our home in San Francisco in February, and now we're planning the big Jewish affair in Los Angeles for our families set to take place in August. You might consider our case another type of the "New Elopement". Not wanting the excess and pomp of a huge family wedding, our wedding, the one whose anniversary we will celebrate, took place on our terms, away from the neo-traditional influence of modern Jewish culture. Planning this second wedding only makes us appreciate the first one that much more. I wish you the best and more fine writing in the future. Cheers. - Adam 21 June 2007 Message 4 - Caroline I just read the chat you did with the Washington Post (May 11) about your book and in one answer to a question, you say, "I certainly think that there's nothing about planning a wedding that serves as any preparation for married life. Matching your napkins to your chair tie-backs has nothing to do with what marriage is about -- unless, that is, you and your spouse are going to go into business together as party planners." I was actually appalled to read this. Maybe you've never planned a wedding. I'm planning mine right now and constantly notice how many skills we've had to hone during this process that we'll CERTAINLY need when we're married. We've learned how to communicate better, even how to fight better, how to choose our battles, how to relax about the small stuff, how to seek out our commonalities, and many other necessary skills that carry over into marriage. In fact, I was telling my friend that planning the wedding is a couple's first real "test"-- and I do know people who have failed. To that I say: If you can't make it through planning a wedding together, please, for the love of God, do not get married! 21 June 2007 Message 5 - Kevin Flynn Though I haven't yet read your book, I certainly intend to. As an Anglican priest I've officiated at many weddings where the emphasis was disproportionately on the wedding rather than the marriage. Helping people sort out what is "traditional"and what is really just commercial fluff is no small task. What a boon to be able to refer people to your book! 19 June 2007 1 2 3 >>>