Chapter by chapter, the planner walks the bridal couple through each major step: for example, choosing the reception site, picking a photographer, and deciding on a menu. Author Carley Roney and the editors of The Knot Web site have talked with both wedding professionals and hundreds of thousands of brides and grooms, and have a good idea of the necessary ingredients for a successful wedding. Most helpful and thorough are each chapter's "Questions to Ask" checklists and the "Knot Knowledge" tips, which include money-saving ideas. The book also contains a gift log, a budget tracker, and a wedding-day phone contacts sheet.

Roney offers loads of helpful advice, such as recommending that the bride and groom declare "wedding free zones" where the couple makes time for activities together that have nothing to do with planning the wedding. Each chapter also includes her down-to-earth answers to commonly asked questions, such as whether it's appropriate for a relative to host a shower or if the wedding couple should pay for guests' travel expenses. With all of its tips, advice, and organizers, The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner may just be, next to a wedding coordinator, the best way for modern couples to ensure their wedding is a smoothly run, stress-free affair. --Kris Law

Customer Reviews Average rating - 3.5

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-01
Content: This book is a must for any bride who wants to keep organized and on budget! Between this and the knot website you can't go wrong! I love how you can customize and tailor everything to your individual needs. Great way to keep your stress level down during planning!!
Summary: Awesome!!

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-23
Content: This was a gift for a co-worker getting married and she LOVED it. She was planning her wedding on her own and this really helped her put everything in perspective. I think the hardest thing for brides doing their own weddings is determining when and how to start doing things, but this book is a GREAT tool.
Summary: Perfect Gift

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-09-25
Content: Well with both of my children getting married, we had to have somewhere to start. This journal was highly recommended. I will let you know of my satisfaction or dis when it is all over.
Summary: Weddings, weddings, weddings.

Rating - 1 Date: 2008-09-19
Content: In my opinion, it isn't worth paying for this book--all the same information is available, for free, at wedding websites. I bought a ton of wedding books--and never used them becaue I had all I needed online for free. If you aren't a computer-y person, then go for it...but if you know how to browse websites, save your money for the centerpieces, photography, or other wedding detail.

Additionally, if you want to purchase a wedding organizer (really, all you need is an expansion file folder or a 3-ring binder & folders): DO NOT BUY THIS ONE! You really are going to need: one that lays flat (read: sprial bound or 3-ring bidner style), and one that has pockets for reciepts, swatches, contracts, etc. I found that since this had none of these--I used it once, and refused to lug it around with me.
Summary: Leave it...

Rating - 4 Date: 2008-08-08
Content: I bought this book as a gift for my sister to help her plan her wedding and from what she tells me, it is a big help and she carries it around everywhere. Great product, I wish I knew about it in time for my wedding.
Summary: The Knot Wedding Planner