I liked this book but by the end of it I was tired of the sappy stories. It brought back the fond memories I have of shopping for my own wedding dress and the unexpected "magic room" moment I had myself...and I do hope that every bride gets to have that thilling moment.

The author explains early on that he chose brides because they had remarkable stories but it just felt over the top to me by the end.

I wished there were more photos of the dresses too!

I'd say this is a worthwhile read for newly engaged girls and their Moms. ( )

A small family owned bridal store in Michigan sees it's fair share of brides. The stories behind the brides are sweet and interesting. It's not a heavy read but sweet and light. ( )

Drove thru Fowler recently and by "Becker Bridal" on a Sunday and it was like a ghost-town. Wanted to read this, so now seemed the time. True behind the scenes stories of running a business, the bridal industry, with most of the focus on the 3rd generation family member who is now running it.
Interlaced with "one-of-each-kind" of story about brides, families, delayed bride, repeat bride, bride in accident . . the gamut of possibilities to fit into this book.
But nothing is overdone or sensationalized. Very well written with excellent overview and enough details to be an easy interesting reading.
Especially poignant, not so much for the brides, rather for the author. Nationally known, of several other major books - lived in Detroit area and was killed in a winter road accident on a trip promoting the book in Western Michigan.
He mentions the love and hopes he has for his daughters as they grow and marry and the love and anticipation he has for them and their happiness simply glows in his words. That he should lose is life so soon as this was written is truly tragic. ( )

A wonderful book, made exponentially more poignant by the fact that Zaslow has since died, leaving behind a wife and three daughters of his own.

"Sometimes when people are alive, they can't full show the love they're feeling. Maybe for some people...their love somehow comes afterward." (46)

In times of plenty, people find plenty of little things to get them down. (232)

"...These are the hands of your best friend, the hands that will work alongside you, comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief clouds your mind. May [the bride and groom] see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter, and guide." (259) ( )

I had such high hopes for this book. When I requested it through Early Reviewers I was in the middle of planning my wedding, but by the time I received it, my wedding had happened and I was learning to be a wife…and kind of tired of talking about weddings. Maybe that is why I did not enjoy this book. Or maybe it was because I found the author’s voice and the book itself to be uninspired and trite. I felt like I was reading the first draft of an inexperienced writer, not the final draft of a New York Times best seller. Either way, I would not recommend this book to others and now will likely not read “The Girls from Ames” which has been on my shelves for some time. ( )