Diann Valentine is the president of D. R. Valentine & Associates, a Pasadena based company specializing in events, weddings and interior design.  Diann has planned weddings for some of Hollywood's finest.  I will be the first to admit that WEDDINGS VALENTINE STYLE is a gorgeous book.  The rich photography makes this worthy competition to other coffeetable books.  It's a book based on weddings that Valentine has organized.  It's perfection on paper.

If you are looking for affordable wedding options, you probably won't find much in the pages of WEDDINGS VALENTINE STYLE.  The reception photos are glamorous and mesmerizing with pretty high price tags involved, but that doesn't mean you can't take some of her ideas and turn them into cost-conscious realities.  I have made a few wedding cakes in my days, and one thing that struck me is that the cake section of her book offers simple, easy-to-make creations to more elaborate options.  An idea I particularly like is the idea of getting a chocolate fountain with plenty of dipping items instead of a cake.  In the long run, that is a far more affordable and less of a hassle than a traditional cake.

Every aspect of the wedding is covered in Diann Valentine's book.  Gowns, flowers, cakes, photography and Ms. Valentine also includes a few itineraries from weddings she has planned.  These help give you an idea of the work that goes into creating a dream wedding.