Chapter 25 - The Wedding

Like many of you, perhaps, we have attended our share of funerals and memorial services in the past few years but I am happy to say that last weekend we were lucky enough to attend my young cousin's wedding in Baltimore. The son of my cousin, Anita, I have known the groom since he was born. Gary couldn't wait to attend his first party and arrived before our baby shower for him. As he bears a striking resemblance to my father's side of the family, I cannot help but think of my dad whenever I see him.

Both he and his lovely wife, Heather, are thoughtful and practical young people. College sweethearts, they have waited a few years to establish themselves before buying a house and tying the knot. This event, of course, prompted me to think about all the terrific books about weddings I have enjoyed. I don't consider myself a romantic at all so the books I have read are really more character driven books than romances. (Although honestly how can a book be about a wedding and not be a bit of a romance?)

Here are some I've liked if you are in the mood for a June wedding.

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks - I am not a huge Nicholas Sparks reader but this is absolutely my favorite. After thirty years, Wilson and Jane's marriage is one big mess. Jane seems to have fallen out of love and Wilson knows it is all his fault spending too much time at the office and leaving Jane to do the rest. As their daughter's wedding approaches Wilson knows that he will do anything to regain Jane's love. Bring out the tissues for this book.

My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding by Wendy Wax - Best friends Bree and Lauren grew up knowing they would be together always and both planned to wear an antique wedding dress that Lauren's mother has. Careers and betrayals have gotten in the way of that friendship and when Lauren, a successful author, returns to the small Outer Banks town where she grew up to get fitted for the gown, secrets and hearts are cracked wide open.

The Gown by Jennifer Robson - 1947 post war England and the upcoming nuptial of Elizabeth Windsor and Philip Mountbatten is on the horizon. Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers, are chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime honor: taking part in the creation of Princess Elizabeth's wedding gown. Years later in 2016, Heather Mackenzie travels to London to unravel the mystery of a set of embroidered flowers, a legacy from her late grandmother.

The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck - Another book which spans the years, Cora Scott takes over her aunt's small wedding shop in Heart's Bend, Tennessee in the 1930's. After the shop closes, former Air Force Captain Haley Morgan returns home to Heart's Bend and decides to reopen the shop she and her best friend used to dream about when they were children. This is one of three interconnected but stand alone wedding books Hauck has written.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren - The writing team of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings have created another great beach read. When the entire party at her sister's wedding get sick from eating tainted seafood, the maid of honor and the best man take the nonrefundable honeymoon trip. The challenge - they have to look and act as newlyweds, a difficult task as they can't stand each other.

Do you have any wedding books to recommend? They make the perfect summer reading!