Wedding Help for the Creatively Challenged

The wedding market is saturated with everything from websites to vendors to coordinators to self-help wedding books to magazines. Because of that, it's hard for any one publication that stands out, but the "Martha Stewart Weddings" magazine is the shining star over all other wedding magazines.

Sure, the gown designers who advertise in her pages are not geared for brides looking to find an inexpensive gown, and maybe some of the ideas aren't practical and are too time-consuming for your particular wedding needs, but as far as comprehensive articles that provide sound information and pictures of beautiful flowers, centerpieces, cakes, place cards, party favors, etc. are concerned, this magazine is second to none.

Of all the wedding magazines currently on the rack, I have found this one to be the most helpful. Unlike other bridal mags, it is not just another gown catalog with skimpy one-page spreads on bouquets, redundant articles, and those horrid resort ads that are dated from the 80's. This publication takes a fresh approach in each issue with new "Good Things", carefully written articles (past issues featured handling outdoor weddings, hiring a florist, suggestions for Mother-of-the-Bride attire) and colorful 8 to 10-page spreads featuring innovative and traditional cakes, bouquets, and even centerpieces. Need information on how to emulate some of Martha's handmade creations? Instructions are included.

For brides like myself who tend to be Martha skeptics, this magazine has won me over. I may not like all of her ideas, nor do I have the time or money to invest in making some of her hors d'oeuvres or umbrella place cards. But visually, it's appealing, and even for someone as arts-and-crafts impaired as I am, it's still a little bit inspiring, and it offers much-needed help for brides much further along in their planning than what the competitors offer.