I was blessed to receive a copy of Susie Coelho‘s  Style Your Dream Wedding, and let me tell you, luxelings, this is a MUST HAVE.  And this could be quite possibly the only wedding book that you will buy for your planning.  (Seriously, it’s that good). 

If you don’t know who Susie Coelho is, first let me premise that she is a genius. The thoughtful way that this book has been put together is PHENOMENAL!  I am so in luxe with it.  Susie  is the rockstar host of HGTV’s "Outer Spaces", and "Surprise Gardener". She has also been on NBC, ABC, and Oprah.

But let me tell you about this book, honey…

First of all, the pictures are fantastic.  It gives you ideas for photography styles and details that you would (read: should) incorporate into your wedding.  Susie breaks a wedding down into "styles":  Classic, Classic Holiday, Contemporary, Beach, Countryside, Garden, Fanciful or Exotic.  From there, it goes in depth into each style’s concept.  What I love is that the pages open up (think gatefolds) to give you an extended look into different details of the wedding styles. 

Special features include:
· Quiz booklet
· Color palette booklet
· Dress silhouette accordion pullout
· Six 8-page gatefolds
· CD of wedding music – (how many songs)
· Postcards
· More than 600 world-class color photographs

You can even take Susie’s Style Your Dream Wedding Quiz online. 

Susie goes on to explore with you the different styles of weddings– all illustrated with stunning photos.  This book is like one big storyboard by one of the best in the design industry.  But Susie isn’t upstaged by the photos at all; her advice is concise, practical, and relevant.  Moreover, her words paint the picture in your mind that makes you say, "Why didn’t I think of that!?" or "I MUST have it!"

She pays special attention to styling your cake to reflect the style of your wedding, as well as choosing the right photography and photographer for your wedding.  The book has over 600 photos from some of the best in the industry, like Joe Photo and Amy Squires.

I don’t typically gush about books, but this one is SO very worth it. You can purchase the book, and you can also enter to win a copy right here at the Fabuluxe Blog courtesy of Fabuluxe and Thomas Nelson Publishers!  Simply leave a comment below!  Pros, you are welcome, too.  A winner will be chosen at random on May 5th, 2008.

This book, in my opinion, is perfect for the bride who is tired of the same cookie cutter concepts seen in typical wedding books, websites and glossies. One thing I love is that she says, "Make your own rules, and you’ll find a  style that one no one else could’ve dreamed of".  This book is a good investment for brides and their planners/designers.  Susie shows you color palettes for each style, which is awesome.  She then takes you through the different elements of your wedding, and gives examples from each style.  hat also makes it so great is that Susie gives you an inspiration and an explanation of those elements.  She teaches you about invitation fonts, dress silhouettes, bouquets, centerpieces, bridal parties, place settings, food and favors.