There`s a new bridal bible on the block.
But you won`t find the typical ponderings on dress styles and honeymoon destinations within these 80 pages. Instead you`ll find a sendup of the whole prenuptial experience.
”I was getting married and reading wedding magazines, and I saw how crass and tasteless they were,” says Peter Carlin, creator of ”Brave New Bride” (Warner, $8.95). ”And I thought `I could do that.` ”
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Carlin, a Portland, Ore., free-lance writer and self-described
”recovering groom,” has written a paperback skewering marriage rituals and traditions which he says are ”sort of like running a vast obstacle course mapped out centuries before you were born.”
Working from notes he took while preparing to wed three years ago
(Carlin`s wife Sarah Ames is a spokeswoman for Oregon governor Barbara Roberts) Carlin has penned a full-bodied parody of bridal publications.
He suggests unusual theme weddings. A biker-style celebration for example, is aimed at creating a ”town-trashing weekend of two-wheeled nuptial rowdiness.”
Also included is this sensible advice for fighting family friction:
”Greeting Granny with a strong Scotch and soda should cool her jets.”
Hmmm.
Carlin says his goal is twofold: ”It`s a public service because you need humor to get through any wedding. And others might need a gift that costs less than $10.”