The Ultimate Wedding Themed Reading List

The Wedding People  by Allison Espach

Rating: This book found me at the right time. It avoids the cliché of “extravagance is empty, true love is humble,” and instead offers a sharp, layered story. Definitely a rewarding read for well-read audiences.

Country: United States

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co

Genre: Literary Fiction

Seating Arrangements  by Maggie Shipstead

Rating: I’d skip. It only really resonates if you’re immersed in WASP culture.

Published: June 12, 2012

Country: United States

Publisher: Knopf

Genre: Literary Fiction

The Guest List  by Lucy Foley

Rating: A fun, easy read. Perfect if you need a break from heavier books, but don’t expect to be blown away.

Published: May 20, 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

The Wedding  by Dorothy West

Rating: Excellent! A beautifully reflective exploration of what weddings have meant for Black Americans.

Published: January 1, 1995 (originally 1948)

Country: United States

Publisher: Doubleday

Genre: Literary Fiction

A Family Affair  by Sue Nyathi

Rating: Wonderful! Nyathi captures the humor of Southern African weddings and gracefully tracks three different marriages with warmth and authenticity.

Published: October 1, 2020

Country: Zimbabwe

Publisher: Pan Macmillan South Africa

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

The Polygamist  by Sue Nyathi

Rating: A rare book offering insight into plural marriages. Reading it feels like having a gossip session with a beloved friend.

Published: February 1, 2020

Country: Zimbabwe

Publisher: Pan Macmillan South Africa

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

His Only Wife  by Peace Adzo Medie

Rating: So wonderful! It begins with a Cinderella-like wedding but transforms into a story of discovering independence and power.

Published: August 3, 2021

Country: Ghana

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Genre: Literary Fiction

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

Rating: I devoured this book. It was genuinely fun to read, with all the twists and turns. If you’re choosing between the book and the miniseries, I’d vote for the book.

Published: February 12, 2019

Country: United States

Publisher: Back Bay Books

Genre: Mystery & Thriller

Please, please, please send me any titles that have to do with weddings! Drop them in the comments or message me.