Author mom, daughter share what to expect on the wedding countdown | Kitsap Week

When Elizabeth Wiggs Maas became engaged, she immediately called her mother to share the good news.

It just so happens that her mother is Susan Wiggs, a New York Times bestselling author whose books are known for their romance.

The two began to plan and discuss the upcoming nuptials. Being a creative romance writer, Susan’s imagination went to grandiose ideas. Ideas like honeymooning in a castle in Quebec. But that’s what they were — ideas. Elizabeth, however, took the impressive venue as a guide to the type of wedding her mother would allow her to have.

“We found a huge gap between my fantasy vision and what was real,” Susan said. “Elizabeth took it as gospel like we were going to serve lobster at the Four Seasons.”

Susan realized while she can throw elaborate weddings for her characters in her novels, when it comes to reality, her ideas would have to be scaled back. Oh the woes of perpetually living in a romantic world.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth began to write about her ups and downs of wedding planning on her blog. She was raw, honest and funny. She quickly obtained a large following and her blog went viral on the Internet. Other soon-to-be brides visited her site to commiserate and share in her joys and frustrations. Before saying “I do” Elizabeth’s blog turned into a book deal, a book she would co-author with her famous-writer mother.

“How I Planned Your Wedding” toggles back and forth between Elizabeth’s perspective and Susan’s. Together they share details and give you an insider’s look to what life is like when you are on wedding countdown.

For future brides, Elizabeth gives this advice: “Really, really, no matter what, (the wedding) is going to be the best day of your life--to date. No matter what happens, or you can’t afford a $15,000 gown, none of that will matter.”

As for Susan, her advice for mothers-of-the-bride is to let go. “I learned a lot about stepping back and releasing control. It’s hard because you have been a mom for so long and you have been in charge,” Susan said. “Trust that you raised a good daughter. I really started to enjoy myself once I stepped back.”

For more information about the book, visit www.howiplannedyourwedding.com.

Contact North Kitsap Herald Kitsap Week Erin Jennings at ejennings@northkitsapherald.com or (360) 779-4464.

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