Something New: Wedding Etiquette for Rule Breakers, Traditionalists, and Everyone in Between

In Something New, etiquette columnist Elise Mac Adam tackles every wedding question, from the frivolous to the frightful, demonstrating how etiquette is designed to make people feel comfortable and offering a road map for how to behave in any sticky situation...even how to deal with people who, themselves, could use a little remedial etiquette assistance. Mac Adam offers easy cheat sheets for the rules of traditional comportment, elaborates on ways to manipulate or jettison traditions to suit your modern life, and -- using real-life case studies -- shows etiquette at work in practically every nuptial-related circumstance, including:

• What do you do if your best man is dog phobic and the ring bearer is your bride's Alaskan malamute?

• HOW MANY BRIDAL SHOWERS IS TOO MANY?

• HOW DO YOU COMPOSE AN INVITATION THAT MENTIONS ALL OF YOUR PARENTS AND STEPPARENTS?

• CAN YOU DECLINE THE HONOR OF BEING A BRIDESMAID AND PRESERVE YOUR FRIENDSHIP?

• CAN YOU REGISTER FOR PRESENTS IF YOU ELOPE?

• WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE REHEARSAL DINNER GUEST LIST?

• WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL WHEN ONE FAMILY DRINKS (A LOT) AND THE OTHER DOESN'T (AT ALL)?

• CAN YOU HAVE A CHILD-FREE WEDDING?

• WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOUR HOSTS FORGET TO INVITE YOUR WIFE?

• DO YOU HAVE TO INVITE YOUR BOSS?

Exploring the nuptial maze from every angle, Something New demonstrates how everyone involved with a wedding (and even people who are left out) can use etiquette to suit his or her needs -- for better, never for worse.