Clueless Groom's Guide

by Peter van Dijk

Book Overview

This is not your father's wedding...

From choosing china patterns and invitation designs to color schemes and reception halls, today's grooms are expected to play a much more active role in wedding planning than when their dads walked down the aisle.

The Clueless Groom's Guide offers the 3 million men who get married each year lighthearted commiseration, guidance, and a distinctly male take on the entire process of planning a traditional wedding. Filled with humorous but useful advice and information on wedding issues, this essential guide covers:

Buying the ring that'll make her say yes Dealing with the future in-laws in a way that will preserve the groom's sanity Planning the budget without draining anyone's account Negotiating a guest list with the bride, her family, and his family Navigating the all-important bachelor party And much more

This charmingly illustrated book will not only help guys understand what they're in for--but give them a sorely needed chuckle along the way.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071413723
• ISBN13: 9780071413725
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Very informative and entertaining!

I went to a bookstore with my fiancée and lounged around in the wedding books section. Most of the books that were there were written for/from the female perspective, and therefore did not motivate me to purchase or read the book. The other books for men were more about etiquette and what to expect. Then I ran across this one. I figured... oh no, it's another idiots guide or for dummies books... but then I realized that it wasn't. So I picked it up and read parts of it. Right off, I could tell that from the sense of humor of the author, that at the very least if it didn't offer me new information, since I have never been married before, it would at least keep me entertained.So I purchased it. And I started reading it instead of a newspaper during some private time. It offered some helpful advice. It told me what to expect. And it made me laugh. What else could I ask for. I highly recommend getting this book because it does help me feel more informed about what to expect, and I don't have to carry around some frilly Martha Stewart-like book. The publisher and author understand that there is a niche for wedding books for men... that guide, offer advice, and entertain at the same time. If you are one of those football loving, bud light beer commercial watching, 20 something, 30 something, and even 40 something men, who has never been married before, then this is the book for you.

You'll learn something in spite of yourself

My fiancée' gave me a copy of this book soon after our engagement. This was a wise choice and one of the reasons I'm marrying her. The book begins with a man's decision to marry a girl, or at least the decision to ask her to marry him, and then the fun really begins. Throughout the book the author keeps a lively pace full of hysterical cynicism, incredible wit and tremendously valuable insight. Like me, if you really don't have any idea of what you're getting yourself into when you propose, then you absolutely must read this book. You will laugh out loud, learn a lot and finally understand what it's all about.

entertaining and informative

The subtitle for this book is "More Than Any Man Should Know About Getting Married," but the information in this book is exactly what every man should know before he gets married. While the information in this book is presented in a humorous way and Van Dijk uses some fairly ridiculous examples, there is also quite a lot of information that is necessary and useful. Van Dijk just makes the book entertaining enough to read that the stereotypical guy is willing to keep reading to get to the good stuff. That's one point that I think I have to make up front. The examples given and some of the descriptions provided describe the groom as the stereotypical man. Most men probably won't fall fully into that category, but it is entertaining reading. This book takes men step by step through the entire wedding process, from buying the ring right up to the honeymoon. In each chapter, there are valuable tips to be gained. For example, if you read the chapter on buying the ring you will learn what the most common styles are and what style of cut and setting you should avoid at all costs unless you know for a fact that style is exactly what your girlfriend wants. Granted, most men will probably not be reading this book until they are already engaged and their fiancé recommends (or buys) this book for them. That's how I acquired my copy. But, there is still a plethora of other useful information available. Here's another for example: the author strongly recommends against using a videographer, though he does give a list of things to look for and ask about should you decide to use one. As the groom-to-be goes through the pre-wedding process, this is a book that he should refer back to and flip through the relevant sections. As I get closer to my own wedding, I am certainly going to be looking back at this book. It was entertaining to read, as well as honestly informative. It may seem a little silly at times, but this book is definitely worth your money.

It's incredible that something so informative is so funny!

The author's delightful sense of humor walks a groom through the wedding planning frenzy as painlessly as possible while paying tribute to the ultimate goal -- the joy of a really great marriage! Great advice for anyone who is, was or ever plans to be a groom --- or a bride, for that matter!

Wish I had this book 10 years ago

This is a better wedding gift than china. Van Dijk takes his place at the head of the class of the reluctantly mature. A funny... insightful... practical book. And Taylor Lee's spot illustrations are hilarious and on target, too. Every man should have a well-thumbed copy before he walks down the aisle.