Into The Garden: A Wedding Anthology : Poetry and Prose on Love and Marriage

Rating:
Summary: Great Ideas
Review: Harsh words, yes! "Into the Garden......." was disappointing and quite a bit "out there". Way too new age. If you want a free copy just send me a SASE.

Rating:
Summary: Garden or Compost pile!
Review: Harsh words, yes! "Into the Garden......." was disappointing and quite a bit "out there". Way too new age. If you want a free copy just send me a SASE.

Rating:
Summary: Okay but not really enlightening or anything.
Review: I bought this book looking for readings for my April wedding. I did end up using a passage from Buddha that I found in this book but overall I was unimpressed with the book. I had a really difficult time finding anything short enough to suit my purposes but not too short or too hokey. Specifically I was looking for something that two people could read together and I found it really difficult to find anything of that type. I ended up using something else from a different book of poetry. Many of the longer readings were very nice but too long or too complicated to ask someone to read at our wedding. This book also did not help either my husband or myself when writing our own vows. All in all I could have probably done without this book but I give it 3 stars because it is not a badly put together book - but perhaps just not what *I* was looking for.

Rating:
Summary: Okay but not really enlightening or anything.
Review: I bought this book looking for readings for my April wedding. I did end up using a passage from Buddha that I found in this book but overall I was unimpressed with the book. I had a really difficult time finding anything short enough to suit my purposes but not too short or too hokey. Specifically I was looking for something that two people could read together and I found it really difficult to find anything of that type. I ended up using something else from a different book of poetry. Many of the longer readings were very nice but too long or too complicated to ask someone to read at our wedding. This book also did not help either my husband or myself when writing our own vows. All in all I could have probably done without this book but I give it 3 stars because it is not a badly put together book - but perhaps just not what *I* was looking for.

Rating:
Summary: Composing your own service
Review: I came across this book when my husband and I were composing our service. I found this collection lovely and a real inspiration. Particularly enjoyable were the sample services in the back. We borrowed liberally from several of those services and the celebrant we used liked the language so much that he asked us if he might "borrow" the passages in future celebrations. Agreat book for marrieds-to-be as well as anyone wishing to peruse a thoughtfully compiled collection of poetry and prose.

Rating:
Summary: great selections even if you aren't planning a wedding
Review: I have had this book for years (I bought the hardcover long ago), and have used it on many occasions--at friends' weddings/showers, etc., on cards/invitations, in love letters, etc. The selections are varied but uniformly great (nothing hokey or overly-anything), and the quality of the translations (when need) from the original language appears to be top-notch. The author-editors clearly have done their homework. I doubt anyone would regret buying this book.

Rating:
Summary: great, truly *original* wedding readings!
Review: If I ever hear "Love is patient, love is kind" or "Let me not to a marriage of true minds admit impediments" read at a wedding again, it'll be far too soon. The sentiments are nice, but those texts are so incredibly cliche for weddings! Luckily, this book exists to save you from tired & trite wedding readings. "Into the Garden" has tons of non-religious poetry & prose on the subject of marriage & love, & even 1 or 2 unique biblical passages. This is the single best wedding-related book I've bought -- it really helped make our ceremony unique & meaningful to us (& not like those cookie-cutter ceremonies put together by bored ministers)!

Rating:
Summary: great, truly *original* wedding readings!
Review: If I ever hear "Love is patient, love is kind" or "Let me not to a marriage of true minds admit impediments" read at a wedding again, it'll be far too soon. The sentiments are nice, but those texts are so incredibly cliche for weddings! Luckily, this book exists to save you from tired & trite wedding readings. "Into the Garden" has tons of non-religious poetry & prose on the subject of marriage & love, & even 1 or 2 unique biblical passages. This is the single best wedding-related book I've bought -- it really helped make our ceremony unique & meaningful to us (& not like those cookie-cutter ceremonies put together by bored ministers)!

Rating:
Summary: For anyone planning a wedding!
Review: Lots of wonderful readings for anyone planning a wedding, particularly nonsecular readings. During my own wedding planning, I have not found another source for readings so comprehensive with so many beautiful pieces. Shakespeare, the Bible, and modern poets of many different nationalities are all represented, among many others. If you're looking for passages about love, commitment, and/or marriage, this book has something for everyone's taste. It also contains sample ceremonies for different styles of weddings, some of which are more creative than you will find in any "wedding planning" book. If you are planning a wedding ceremony that is very personalized to you both, or you aren't interested in having a "traditional" ceremony and want to write your own, check out this book for inspiration. You will fall in love with some of the passages.

Rating:
Summary: Not comprehensive enough. No contemporary poems.
Review: The book is a decent resource if you are looking for classic poetry to be read by the officiant or ideas for a toast. I was seeking a romantic poem for a bride to read the groom. The language was dated in many of the selections. Some seemed plain silly. I wish they included contemporary selections.