Ethnic Wedding Books

Abbondanza!: Planning an Italian Wedding

This is a nice and easy way to plan a wedding, the book is direct and has a lot of different ideas on how to plan the perfect Italian wedding. Each chapter has a convenient breakdown with plenty of suggestions in many categories to answer all your questions. It's easy to locate topics and it's written with a nice sense of humor.

Less than $15

Good Luck Life: The Essential Guide to Chinese American Celebrations and Culture (Paperback)

A modern easy and approachable resource for deciphering, understanding, and planning, for Chinese celebrations in America. Why do the Chinese believe "8" is a lucky number? Is the 60th birthday really a cause for celebration? And who exactly are the cowherd and the weaving maiden and what do they have to do with the Milky Way? Chinese culture is filled with intriguing legends and customs rich with history and meaning. Unfortunately, many Chinese Americans - particularly the younger generations - no longer have a firm grasp on their own history and culture, nor do they have a means to systematically learn how to celebrate their heritage. Once befuddled herself, Rosemary Gong has compiled an easy-to-read, practical "how-to" and "why" guide to Chinese holidays and customs. Good Luck Life is a clear, accessible book for readers young and old, filled with information that is logically categorized, and highlighted with knowledgeable sidebars, illustrative drawings, charts, tables, and even recipes! From the Dragon Boat Race to the Hungry Ghosts Feast, from wedding dowries to the new born gifts, this is the all-in-one guide for anyone - Chinese or otherwise - interested in learning more about this fascinating and complex culture.

Less than $11

Irish Wedding Traditions: Using Your Irish Heritage to Create the Perfect Wedding

Irish Wedding Traditions is filled with long-forgotten historical and contemporary Irish touches from vows and rituals to symbolic flowers, food, spirits, and song. In addition there are chapters on registering for gifts, dressing for the occasion, and designing the perfect Irish wedding invitation, as well as suggestions for tying the knot or honeymooning on the Emerald Isle. A delightful gift book, to be passed from generation to generation. This book should be on the shelf of anyone with a passion for Ireland, it's people and customs.

Less than $14

Jumping The Broom

The bestselling - and the first - comprehensive wedding guide written and designed expressly for African Americans, it presents everything you need to know to plan an event that is truly an expression of your personal style and heritage. Harriette Cole, former fashion editor of Essence magazine, offers hundreds of original ideas for enhancing your wedding with Afrocentric touches at every stage—from announcements, rings, and clothes to music, food, and vows. Her suggestions range from the simple, such as having your wedding rings cast with ancient Khamitic symbols, to the elaborate, such as adorning your wedding party in traditional Yoruba asooke formal wear, and an extensive resource guide will help you manage logistics. Historical anecdotes and information on cultural traditions from all over the Motherland—as well as the Caribbean and the American South—are sprinkled throughout. Lavishly illustrated, this new edition features twice the number of color photographs found in the original book and a completely up-to-date resource guide. Jumping the Broom makes an exquisite gift book for a special friend or family member and an indispensable planner for the most important day of your life. Paperback less than $3, hardcover less than $30

Native American Courtship And Marriage Traditions 

This helpful guide is for couples who wish to adapt and incorporate aspects of traditional Native American marriage customs, clothing, jewelry, and crafts into their modern ceremonies. Descriptions of weddings of the Hopi, Lakota, Iroquois, Oglala and others provide a historic sense of Native traditions. Included are love songs, poems, and stories from the Dakota, Shoshone, Zuni, and Algonquin. There are also recipes for traditional dishes to serve at the receptions.

Less than $10

The Nubian Wedding Book: Words and Rituals To Celebrate And Plan An African-American Wedding 

Reminiscent of Jumping The Broom but with more historical background and more detailed and practical suggestions, this comprehensive guide to planning an Afrocentric wedding features ceremonies, vows, toasts, wedding prayers, libations, recipes, suggestions for Afrocentric gift giving, and anecdotes from couples about their experiences with weddings reflecting their own rich heritage.

Less than $16

Polish Weddings Customs & Traditions & Folklore 

Polish Customs, Traditions, & Folklore is organized by months beginning with December and Advent, St. Nicholas Day, the Wigilia (Christmas Eve) nativity plays, caroling and then New Year celebrations. It proceeds from the Shrovetide period to Ash Wednesday, Lent, the celebration of spring, Holy Week customs then superstitions, beliefs and rituals associated with farming, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, midsummer celebrations, harvest festivities, wedding rites, nameday celebrations, birth and death rituals. Line illustrations enhance this rich and varied treasury of folklore.

Less than $20

Scottish Tartan Weddings: A Practical Guidebook (Weddings/Marriage) 

Planning a traditional Scottish wedding? This book will answer any questions you may have on the subject. Lots of practical advice on outfits and traditions. This book offers suggestions for Gaelic phrases to engrave on the wedding bands, tips of how the wedding procession should run with a bagpiper, an explanation as to how to tie a ladies tartan sash, as well as an appendix with a clan, family and septs "for a more detailed exploration of one's Scottish roots." Don't be without it for planning the big day!

Less than $16

Viva el Amor: The Latino Wedding Planner, A Practical Guide for Arranging a Traditional Ceremony and a Fabulous Fiesta (Paperback) 

From incorporating family rituals and cultural traditions into your wedding to booking a "heritage honeymoon," Viva el Amor is the only book that the Latina bride-to-be will need to plan a fabulous fiesta while celebrating the sacred bond of marriage.  With the inspiring ideas, realistic timetables, and practical advice of Viva el Amor, brides and their families will discover -- and rediscover -- the wealth of Latino traditions that add depth and meaning to a wedding ceremony, and find ways to add modern touches. In an entertaining and informative style, Edna R. Bautista explains the significance of such customs as the thirteen coins (las arras) and the cord (el lazo) used in the marriage ceremony, the selection of godparent-sponsors (padrinos) for support during the nuptial festivities, and the Latina-Catholic tradition of carrying three bridal bouquets. All the practical aspects of making the day perfect are here, too, including: 1) Preparing a wedding-planning calendar, 2) Setting up a reasonable budget and gift registry, 3) Planning a menu of traditional foods, 4) Adorning the wedding party in traditional cultural dress and accessories, 5) Choosing music for the reception that will appeal to both young and old guests. With all the steps involved in planning a customary Latino-Christian wedding or an interfaith one -- from ethnic dances to the toast -- Viva el Amor is indispensable. This bilingual book is all the Latina bride-to-be will need to plan the wedding of her dreams.

Less than $12

Wedding Ceremonies: Ethnic Symbols, Costume and Rituals

Wedding Ceremonies: Symbols, Costume and Rituals is a glorious visual celebration of the symbolism of marriage the world over. The authors have traveled the world for two decades visiting dozens of the worlds most remote and isolated groups, attending marriages held high in the Himalayas and under acacias in the Sahara. Chapter by chapter, the text and stunning photographs explore the traditional rituals and customs that accompany wedding ceremonies across the world. These wedding ceremonies often last for several days, and involve the whole community in elaborate preparation, rites, and celebrations. The bride and groom wear sumptuous wedding garments, accessories, and decorations, made of the rarest and most precious materials, each of which has a powerful symbolic value. These rituals are a fundamental rite of passage and a vital part of community life: a chance to strengthen ties with other villages, to plan new alliances, and, above all, to renew the traditions that make up a unique cultural heritage much of which is on the brink of disappearing forever.

Less than $10.