VERA WANG ON WEDDINGS

NEW YORK/PRNewswire/ -- A wedding day is a day of memories, magic and abundant promise. It is the day when two souls are joined in the presence of family, friends and faith. And it has to be perfect.

Now, in her first book, Vera Wang, widely regarded as one of the most influential designers of luxurious wedding dresses, provides a wealth of information of all things wedding. With more than 25 years in the fashion industry, and as a guest and designer of some of the most memorable and lavish weddings ever staged, Ms. Wang has become an international authority on bridal elegance, her name synonymous with a modern and sophisticated approach to classic style. "As a fashion professional and a former bride," she says, "I am now able to translate all of my knowledge, experience and love of style to the visual and emotional vocabulary of weddings."

Whether you are a bride-to-be or about to be one, or just a fan of Vera Wang, "VERA WANG ON WEDDINGS" (HarperResource, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) is a feast of evocative images and must-have information, starting with the marriage proposal and continuing on until after the last guest departs the reception. Says Ms. Wang, "Having experienced weddings from a personal and professional perspective, I can truthfully say that no one is more obsessed with brides than I am."

Rich with fashion photography, poetic still lifes and pearls of wisdom, the book includes over 300 lush full-color and striking black-and-white photographs throughout all 287 of its sumptuous pages. Nearly 60 different photographers are represented including many pictures from the personal wedding albums of Ms. Wang's clients all over the world.

"VERA WANG ON WEDDINGS" contains over 70 informative topics, including "Identity and Ideology," "On White," "The Ceremony," "Photography and Film," "The Reception Lighting," "The Toasts" and many others. Within each topic, Ms. Wang makes brides feel as if she's with them every step of the way. If you haven't had time to think about the registry, the proper attire for children in the ceremony, the prewedding celebrations or how the staff should dress, rest assured, Vera Wang has. She also offers suggestions to pregnant brides, brides walking down the aisle for the second time and, lest we forget, the groom. From telling friends and family about the engagement to selecting wedding stationery to choosing the wedding cake and music; from what the parents should wear for an evening wedding to the symbolism of over 35 varieties of flowers; from the garter toss to the groom's cake, Wang covers every aspect of the nuptial event.

Of course, no book about weddings written by Vera Wang would be complete without a detailed breakdown of the dress, arguably the centerpiece of the ceremony. Says Ms. Wang, "For most women, a wedding gown represents far more than just a dress. It is also the embodiment of a dream."

"Imagine all the complexity of human emotion and expectation at the crossroads of fantasy and reality," says Ms. Wang, who is one of the few designers in the world who can. "Then add considerations of tradition, propriety, sensuality and fashion, and capture all of that in one dress."

With the aid of stirring photographs by world-renowned photographer Paolo Roversi, Ms. Wang brings to life some of the most inspired depictions of and detailed information on wedding gowns ever put on paper. She deconstructs the wedding ensemble one piece at a time. She reveals how to select the most flattering dress shape and the proper train length; she guides the readers as to what to look for in the bodice construction and the shape of the sleeve. She also provides numerous other tips on even the most minute of details. In the section of the book devoted solely to gowns, brides-to-be are invited to explore their personality with various approaches to individual style and wedding gown design -- the Traditionalist, Modernist, Sensualist, Individualist, Romanticist, Minimalist or Exhibitionist. Each part of the dress is described in meticulous detail. As an artist, Ms. Wang also examines how the dress fits in with other elements of the ceremony to enhance the aesthetic. In her words, "If a dress is elaborate, the bouquet should be simple."

"VERA WANG ON WEDDINGS" is as readable, practical, easy to scan reference as it is beautifully presented. Comprehensive and to the point, Ms. Wang's directives are obviously those of a seasoned pro, as she efficiently outlines in the "Receptions" topic: "Ample room should be made for guests and waiters to circulate freely ... Fire hazards may be created by decor ... For large weddings, ample lavatories should always be a concern ..." Or as in "Wedding Tables": "Table linens for standard shapes are usually less expensive ... While a crowded table encourages intimacy and conversation, more elbow room is luxurious and facilitates eating ... The stability of the table matters-nothing is more annoying than a wobbly surface ..."

For those of us who can not afford an extravagant affair or are just ever mindful of budget limitations, as a professional businesswoman, Ms. Wang offers the topic "Regarding Finances," as well as helpful tips throughout for those on a limited budget or those just trying to limit the often steep costs of a wedding.

While drawing from both personal insights about her courtship and wedding to husband Arthur Becker and her professional acumen as one of the youngest editors ever at Vogue, Ms. Wang never loses sight of the highly personal aspect of weddings for every couple. In a section she titles, "From me to you," she relates, "In writing this book, I was constantly amazed by the style, imagination and individuality of the women I've dressed. I was equally moved by the beauty, grace and elegance of the celebrations. Each wedding represented its own unique take on a timeless tradition."

As Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Magazine puts it, "Throughout 'VERA WANG ON WEDDINGS,' Vera takes her brilliant instinct for bridal wear and plunges fearlessly into the smallest nuptial details to help the bride realize her dream. Only she could have produced such a beautiful volume of telling anecdotes, unforgettable photography and practical wisdom." Engaging, reassuring and replete with ideas and celebration, VERA WANG ON WEDDINGS is a lavish gift, a treasure trove for followers of fashion and an essential possession of every bride-to-be. From the broadest strokes of style to the smallest details of that special day, Ms. Wang's book never ceases to inspire and educate. However, perhaps her soundest advice is "to remain true to yourself."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

VERA WANG's career began with a 16-year tenure as a senior fashion editor at Vogue Magazine, followed by a post as a design director at Ralph Lauren. In 1990, she opened her first bridal salon in the Carlyle Hotel in New York City and by 1994, Vera Wang's bridal dresses were among the most sought after in the world. Today, there are Vera Wang salons throughout the U.S.A., as well as Toronto, London, and Singapore. Her designs have earned praise from the fashion elite for their luxurious fabrics and exquisite details. Ms. Wang has designed eveningwear for some of Hollywood's leading ladies including Sharon Stone, Holly Hunter and Renee Russo. Known for its minimal and elegant bridal and evening wear, her company has also embarked on a host of other high profile ventures, including a fragrance, handbags, footwear, eyewear and a home collection to be launched in 2002.Ms. Wang studied at Chapin in New York City, Sarah Lawrence College and the Sorbonne in Paris. She lives with her husband and two daughters in New York City.