The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions

by Carley Roney

From the #1 wedding Web site and the author of The Knot Complete Guide To Weddings In The Real World , a comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect words and music for your wedding.


In her third book in The Knot series, Carley Roney has created a complete guide to wedding vows, toasts, and readings that is the perfect resource for wedding couples, bridesmaids, best men, and parents alike. Drawing on wedding traditions and customs from around the world, The Knot Complete Guide To Wedding Vows And Traditions includes real-world information

—Vows, from the traditional "to have and to hold" to creating your own
—Rituals from a variety of traditions–breaking the glass, cutting the cake–and their history and significance
—Toasts, from the classics to advice on writing your own, as well as toasting etiquette and tips on choosing your toastmaster
—Readings, spanning various customs and heritages, poetry and prose, plus sources for finding your own selections
—Music–complete lists of popular options to help you chose the perfect songs from the processional to the last dance

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Adult

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 26, 2000

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I easily flagged a dozen pages for reference in this really helpful book. What interested me most was the traditional religious parts of the vows, ceremony, reception, etc. I really wanted a church wedding but we couldn’t make it work with our reception location, time, and venue. This book helped me to pick out some of the religious pieces that are important to me so I can work with my officiator to try and weave them into our venue ceremony. I found a reading that I love which will also help me involve a special friend into our ceremony.

[Msimone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unless you have never attended a wedding and réception, this book won't tell you much that you don't already know. In fairness, you may find the information about how different religions and cultures celebrate marriage, and if you are absolutely clueless about what to say for your vows, or if your best friend or parents are thunderstruck about what they might say for a toast, then browse the book for ideas.

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

discovered my favorite reading and some good music in this book. still very conservative, traditional, religious and heteronormative.

[Lindsay Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covered a lot of ground and included many actual samples of vows, Scripture readings, poetry readings, and traditions. I can see where it would be very helpful if I were planning my wedding and had not been to many before. I would have a wealth of material for my ceremony that I could pick and choose from. It just seems like this book is somewhat typical...it lacks the depth or angle that would set it apart from other wedding books. Even the tone seems uncommitted and generic. Again, not to say this book wouldn't be very helpful, it's just not the most compelling guide and certainly offers little depth of insight that would serve for research on wedding traditions.

[Ashley Snyder Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best wedding book I have read to date. There are thousands of suggestions for songs, toasts, ceremony readings, etc. I will definitely be using this book as a frequent reference as I continue the journey of wedding planning. I got this book at a used bookstore and when I looked up more info about it online, I discovered that there is a newer edition. This edition was written in 2000, so some contemporary songs are not included in the suggestion lists (obviously).

This book is a wonderful asset for a bride-to-be!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dave and I walked into our engagement inane almost blasé way.... I for one had not even considered that it meant having a wedding! but I have really enjoyed reading, leafing through magazines, and internetting in the search for what we want to do to make our wedding work for, and represent, us. This book is a great collection of ideas and really helped me learn a lot of the traditions. Even if we choose not to follow them we need to know what they are!

[Vonze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for planning your vows and wedding music. I liked the variety offered in this book. I also enjoyed learning about wedding traditions in other cultures. I feel that this book is a good fit for most any couple since it covers vows and traditions from many different religions and also secular viewpoints.

[Jackie Brinkerhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource tool with ideas for the entire day. The book also provides some great 3rd party books and references so that you can glean information from many more sources.

I loved the explanation on the various ceremonies and cultural rituals.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive and gives plenty of great ideas. A good place to start if you're not really sure what detailed elements you want to be part of your wedding celebration (and most specifically, the ceremony).

[megan walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for anyone out there getting married!

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a bad overview of some traditions. Primarily focused on modern ceremonies with religious affiliation. Lots of readings and toasts. Some applicable offbeat bride material.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of useful information. Will be taking another look next January-ish for ceremony ideas.

[Kim Miner Litton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found some fantastic ideas and readings in here, it's probably one of my favorite ceremony guides and, honestly, ceremony guides are hard to come by.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

not exactly what I was looking for, but found some good tips.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for traditions, vows, and music for the ceremony!

[Meredith Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was way more helpful than i expected! i pulled some parts of our ceremony from here and it gave me ideas about both the structure of the ceremony & things to think about for the reception.