Jo Gartin's Weddings: An Inspiring Guide for the Stylish Bride

By Jo Gartin
Published by Rodale
January 2006; $22.95US/$30.95CAN; 1-59486-261-3

Jo Gartin, listed by Vogue magazine as "best wedding coordinator," a regular contributor to InStyle magazine, and wedding planner to the stars, invites you to delve into the book she herself wished for when planning her own wedding.

From gorgeous gowns and amazing flowers right through to thoughtful gifts and memorable keepsakes, Jo offers unique ways to bring wonder to all elements of your wedding celebration.

Whether you imagine a traditional all-white wedding complete with a Cinderella gown, a church ceremony, and silver-service dining, or a casual celebration by the sea with hanging lanterns and an abundance of wild orchids, Jo can help you create a day that is everything you imagined it could be.

It is no surprise that, with a background in fashion, a flair for designing flowers, and a delightful custom stationery collection, Jo has become one of the most sought-after event planners in the country. In Jo Gartin's Weddings, Jo embraces her experience and lets readers step into her world of weddings. She offers a glimpse into her favorite celebrations and shares savvy secrets, captivating ideas, and innumerable ways to incorporate personal touches. You'll learn how to find a one-of-a-kind gown without breaking the bank, and Jo teams up with renowned fashion designer, Monique Lhuillier to style and personalize Monique's most sought-after gowns, giving each radiant bride a look all of her own.

From unique invitations to personalized bouquets, hors d'oeuvres to impress, and signature cocktails, Jo shows you how to create that "wow" factor everyone is after.

Filled with color photographs, priceless advice, and countless ideas, Jo Gartin's Weddings is an inspiring and stylish guide -- a must for all stylish brides!

Reviews
"Jo's attention to detail and unique approach to weddings is what every modern bride needs to make her day special and let her own personality shine through." --Monique Lhuillier, designer

"A wedding designed by Jo Gartin is always a stylish event." --InStyle magazine

"Your fairy godmother has arrived." --DailyCandy.com

Excerpt
The following is an excerpt from the book Jo Gartin's Weddings: An Inspiring Guide for the Stylish Bride

FLOWERS FOR THE RECEPTION

The flowers that grace your dining tables can light up a room. Take a moment to picture yourself walking into your wedding reception. Is there something specific that you see on the center of your tables? You may have something clean and simple in mind, or maybe you are imagining a tower of roses to impress. Either way, you may like to consider these tips.  

Make sure guests can see each other from across the table. Ideally, centerpieces should be tall and skinny or short and fat! I like to set a sample table for my clients. This way, they can formally approve their dining experience well before their big day.  

There is no rule insisting on having the same centerpieces at each table, although you may like to design in the same color palette using a variety of blooms. For example, try white ranunculus at some tables, white roses at others, and white peonies at the rest. If you are setting a banquet table, consider smaller versions of the main centerpieces to run down the middle of the table. You may also want to vary centerpieces by height, alternating between tall and short. And if you have differently shaped tables (I love to mix long tables with square and round), then you may like to choose a different but complementary flower arrangement for each table shape.  

Don't be afraid to ask your florist if you can buy your own vases if they don't have the perfect one to offer. I've found amazing and affordable vases at stores such as Ikea and Cost Plus and at www.westelm.com  

Maybe you are considering flowerless centerpieces. Candles can make a grand statement. Be careful to account for the wind if you are dining outdoors. Lemon and lime pyramid centerpieces have wowed many guests. Assorted sizes of wooden pails of peaches, plums, and nectarines can make a perfect autumn centerpiece. A vase filled with giant ivory feathers and white peonies graced the tables at a Charleston-inspired wedding.  

Plants can make beautiful centerpieces -- I've placed rows of spring daffodils potted in moss pots down a banquet table. A Santa Barbara wedding was dressed with maiden ferns in woven leather boxes packed with moss. Succulents come in amazing varieties also.

Author:
Jo Gartin founded her event-planning company, Love Luck and Angels, in 2002, after discovering her talents while planning her own wedding. She is a regular contributor to InStyle and InStyle Weddings. Her work has been featured in many magazines, including Self, Lucky, and Women's Wear Daily. Vogue named her their most-recommended wedding coordinator in 2004. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.

For more information, please visit www.loveluckandangels.com

Reprinted from:  Jo Gartin's Weddings: An Inspiring Guide for the Stylish Bride by Jo Gartin. © 2006 Jo Gartin. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling (800) 848-4735 or visit their website at www.rodalestore.com.