Wyrdwood Publications

Review by Mike Gleason

Magical Bride: Craft an Interfaith Wedding for a Goddess
by Clea Danaan © 2009
Wyrdwood Publications
eISBN: WYRDWOOD-0017
e-Book
194 pages
$6.99 (U.S.)

As a member of the Craft, and as a reviewer, I have read a lot of information on how to create a handfasting and/or an interfaith ceremony. Almost all of them have concentrated on the symbols involved and the writing and performance of the ceremony itself. It would be fair to say that I expected more of the same from this book. I WAS WRONG.

That’s not to say that this type of information isn’t included, because it certainly is. It’s just that this offering is AT LEAST as concerned with the nuts and bolts of a wedding – finding appropriate (for the individual) attire, setting budgets, locating the ideal site for the ceremony, and all the rest of the details that will make or break your memories of this wonderful day.

By the time I was half-way through the book I had only encountered a few pages on the meanings of colors, stones and metals. And most of that was couched in thoroughly mundane terms. This truly is a book which is appropriate for the bride- or groom-to-be at every level of Craft knowledge, from merely supporting you new spouse in their path to full-blown initiate.

Clea provides some very basic information on deities associated with marriage and family life scattered throughout the book. Each box of information is kept short and very general. Again, the idea is to be appealing to the widest possible readership.

This book is aimed at real world brides and grooms. Amongst the best advice she gives is to be organized (even though she admits to her own shortcomings as time grew short for her own ceremony) in your planning and to remember to have fun and be realistic (i.e., keep you expenses to a reasonable level. There is no reason to start a new life deeply in debt).

It is about making your guests comfortable as they share your big day. Your dear Aunt Martha and Uncle Tom may be good Methodists, but there are ways to help them appreciate why you chose THAT particular candle color, or why you chose a song including names from Greek mythology without compromising your own beliefs. By the same token, your coven-mates need not feel they have been forced to endure something which causes shivers. You can be inclusive and accommodating without compromise if you follow some of the suggestions put forth in this book.

If you have a wedding, handfasting, or commitment ceremony of any kind coming up, this inexpensive little offering is well worth the price. In fact, it is worth far more than its price, if only for the common sense reminders contained within it.

"Full of great information and ideas, thank you!' ~ Amy, CA