Here Come the Advice-Packed Bridal Guides
Planning a wedding is enough to drive anyone insane. Fortunately, there are many good bridal magazines to help you navigate the maze of things to decide and do.
Ranging from old-timer New York giants as thick as metropolitan phone books to a soon-to-debut Southern California newcomer designed for those who’ve already been married at least once, these magazines will give you plenty of dreamy ads for chiffon and china in addition to very practical advice for the wedding, honeymoon and beyond.
Here are eight:
Conde Nast Bride’s
Issues a year: 6
Established: 1934
Circulation: 455,685
Cover price: $4.99
Subscriptions: (800) 456-6162
This giant grandmother of bridal magazines was founded during the Depression by New York businessman Wells Drorbaugh, who called it, “So You’re Going to Be Married.” Purchased in 1959 by Conde Nast--publisher of Vogue, Glamour and Mademoiselle--it’s designed to be three magazines in one, covering weddings, travel and the new home, and includes features about relationship and financial issues. The current 1,242-page issue broke the Guinness Book of World Records for magazine size.
Recent features: “Party Platforms,” eight fun themes to break the ice at those oft-awkward engagement parties; “Suggestive Behavior,” experts discuss how your fiance’s proposal can clue you in on his partner potential.
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Modern Bride
Issues a year: 6
Established: 1949
Circulation: 405,870
Cover price: $4.99
Subscriptions: (800) 777-5786
Another old-time, New York-based giant, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, this recently redesigned book is the flagship publication of Primedia’s Modern Bride Group, which includes Modern Bride Connection (a network of 14 regional wedding magazines) and hosts a national series of 40 live bridal events. Check out the current 930-page issue’s introduction of “Bridezilla,” a new comic strip by Los Angeles writer Kenny Kates, who was inspired by his fiancee’s metamorphosis into “the beast called bride-to-be.” Also see the magazine’s web site at https://www.modernbride.com.
Recent features: “Domestic Blitz” (registry gun in hand, one bride takes on all the whatchamacallits that make a home); “Perfect Attendants” (everything you need to know about having happy bridesmaids).
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Bridal Guide
Issues a year: 6
Established: 1988
Circulation: 245,000
Cover price: $4.95
Subscriptions: (800) 834-9998
This magazine was started as a small digest book by a Midwestern woman and purchased in 1987 by Globe Communications, which redesigned it into a New York-based, full-service magazine for brides and grooms. In addition to covering fashion, beauty, home design and travel, the publication also focuses on relationship issues beyond the wedding. The current 420-page issue comes with a separate Wedding Budget Planner and supplement for the groom called “The Marrying Man.”
Recent features: “Will You Have Your Parents’ Marriage?” (how to forge a more perfect, unique union); “Nice Wives, Hot Sex . . . Yes! Yes! Yes!” (toss those flannels on the floor!).
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Martha Stewart Living Weddings
Issues a year: 4
Established: 1994
Circulation: 650,000
Cover price: $5.50
Subscriptions: Newsstand only; call (800) 999-6518 for back issues.
Full of stunningly photographed recipes like goat cheese in tart shells with sweet Bartlett pears and caramelized shallots, and clever ideas like how to make romantic, candy-filled place cards out of paper doilies and ribbon, this New York-based magazine also features “Ask Martha,” an advice column in which Martha helps readers with pressing questions like: Can rose bouquets with wired stems be made the night before the wedding?
Recent features: “Creamy, Frothy, Snowy White Bouquets,” despite all our choices today, what have we found that can really compare with that white bouquet? “Seating the Guests,” solving the puzzle of who sits where, so everyone feels at ease.
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Elegant Bride
Issues a year: 4
Established: 1988
Circulation: 218,000
Cover price: $4.95
Subscriptions: (336) 378-6065
Originally called “Southern Bride,” this magazine from North Carolina-based Pace Communications--publisher also of three in-flight airline magazines--was renamed in 1990. Geared to a traditional audience, it tells readers how to have elegant weddings no matter what their budget, and specializes in lots of stories about real weddings. See the Web site at www.elegantbridemagazine.com.
Recent features: “In the Mood for Celebrating,” marrying for life, Los Angeles style; “No Junk Allowed,” merging and purging your respective stuff.
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For the Bride by Demetrios
Issues a year: 4
Established: 1991
Circulation: 160,000
Cover price: $4.99
Subscriptions: newsstands only; call (212) 967-0750 for back issues.
This New York-based publication was started and is still owned by Demetrios James Elias, a Greek-born bridal gown designer who as a child assisted his parents in their family-owned bridal store in Ohio. Featuring his complete line of dresses, the magazine includes articles on wedding, honeymoon and home planning, and includes a horoscope column.
Recent features: “California Dreamin’,” a special place to reflect on love; “Vows,” personalizing your “I dos.”
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Bride Again
Issues a year: 4
Established: 1998
Circulation: 125,000 first distribution
Cover price: $4.99
Subscriptions: (714) 632-7000
With editorial offices in Anaheim, this newcomer from Roxbury Media will hit national stands starting in April. Billed as “the only magazine designed for encore brides,” it’s the brainchild of Beth Reed Ramirez, who when planning her own second wedding, became frustrated with existing bridal magazines that didn’t meet the needs of older divorced women with children. Check out the Web site at https://www.brideagain.com.
Planned features: “7 Secrets to Everlasting Love,” steps to keep love on the front burner; “Six Techniques for Successfully Blending Your Families,” successfully combining two households of children under one roof.
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Southern California Wedding
Issues a year: 2
Established: 1991
Circulation: 95,000
Cover price: $4.95
Subscriptions: (800) 848-6664
One of Modern Bride Connection’s 14 regional magazines, this great resource is loaded with local ads and information, including a detailed geographic guide to more than 390 reception sites throughout Southern California, complete with maps. It’s also loaded with features, including tales of local couples. Other issues in the regional network cover Northern California, New York and Maryland.
Recent features: “The Morning After: Avoiding the Most Common Post-Wedding Regrets,” don’t spend the night before the wedding writing out 200 place cards and baking your own wedding cake; “Separation Anxiety,” how to deal with divorced parents on your big day.
