WEDDING BABYLON, BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE HAPPIEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE by Imogen Edwards- Jones (Random House Struik, R195).

HIGHLY entertaining and honest, this behind-the- scenes look at extravagant weddings will not only open your eyes to the money couples splash around on their big day, but also to the quirks and nightmares they put their planners through in the months before the wedding.

Wedding planners not only do the planning, they go to dress fittings, plump up breasts, become advisors to sobbing woman and buffers during arguments between the stressed out family.

The author, well known for her hit series including Hotel Babylon, Beach Babylon and Fashion Babylon, answers the questions that just beg to be answered. Why are weddings so costly? What makes us spend an entire year’s salary on one day? And just how big does your special day have to be?

And the reality is, even though it’s easier to plan a wedding on an extravagant budget, most of us plan our big day on a shoestring.

This begs the question – does is make it any less romantic when daddy isn’t dropping a cool million dollars for you?

It simply pales in comparison to my wedding four years ago with a budget of under R40000.

The book also looks at some of the big no-nos at weddings. Do bridesmaids’ dresses always have to look so unflattering? Why do brides cry?

Why does Mumzilla feel the need to make up for her own lost dreams? And does the best man’s speech always have to be delivered from a hiccupping groom who’s had one to many?

Packed with scandal, Wedding Babylon lifts the lid on the excesses of an industry where money literally flows like champagne and grossly overpriced five-tiered cakes are made of polystyrene. The book follows a week in the life of a busy wedding planner and according to the author is based entirely on true but anonymous stories. – Reviewed by Liezel Searle ARTS CORRESPONDENT searlel@avusa.co.za