Wedding Zen: Calming Wisdom for the Bride - Tapa dura

For stressed-out brides-to-be, finally there's an alternative to last-minute elopement: Wedding Zen is an oasis of calm amidst the chaos of planning a wedding. By applying the classic teachings of Zen to time-honoured nuptial traditions, this darling book shows that a little lambaste can improve The Big Day in a dramatic way. Drawn from Zen teachings such as staying mindful of worldly attachments (i.e., no matter how ugly the gift, it's the thought that counts) and surrendering the ego (letting the Maid of Honour bring her awful boyfriend), here are dozens of tips for warding off trouble in nirvana. Wedding Zen packs a bouquet of wisdom into a charming, beautifully illustrated volume, making this a perfect wedding shower gift and prenuptial pick-me-up. So when preparations get a little crazy-or a lot crazy-relief for the bride, and good karma for the giver, is close at hand.

Susan Elia MacNeal has been a bridesmaid in too many weddings to count. A writer and editor, she lives with her husband in New York City. Rachell Sumpte is a California-based illustrator whose work has graced many publications, including Budget Living, Bust, and The Boston Globe.