Its title could be a bit more modern, but A Girl’s Guide to Buying Diamonds is perfect for stashing in your purse, and it’s about as practical and comprehensive a guide as a befuddled ring-buyer could ask for.

Siri Agrell’s collection of bridesmaid horror stories is culled from dozens of conversations she had with bridesmaids after she herself was “fired” from a wedding.

Not all women are fortunate enough to have a precise vision of their ideal dress in mind from the moment they first say “I do”—some need a bit of help.

Not all couples want to follow a traditional wedding run of show. For some examples of how to make over the old-fashioned recipe, we enlisted event planner Loulie Walker to create blueprints for three alternative affairs.

Clap Your Hands Say Who?

Tribute acts are usually hokey, forgettable affairs. Here, some sophisticated exceptions to the rule.

(And yes, we know we just spoiled it for the seventeen people who already knew about these three.)

New Year’s doesn’t have to be a nightmare of velvet ropes and supersize prices. (But do book tickets to these shows sooner rather than later.)

Inscribed books make a way-better impression under the tree than usual—and Barnes & Noble knows it, which is why the signings proliferate come December.

This month, hit a high-end jazz or cabaret spot for an echo of music history.