Oouuucchhhh!!!!

... but, alas, so true. Uh, except photography, that is.

: "The marketing of the wedding as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be close to heaven -- or at least close to celebrity -- is explored in 'One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding,' by New Yorker writer Rebecca Mead.

The book is a must-read for future brides and grooms who want to honor the day without getting caught up in the escalating production values promoted by the industry.

'An American wedding is a testament to the enduring desire to have things that seem meaningful and make a statement of commitment,' Mead says. 'People want to know how to get married, and the people most readily available to tell them are the people selling the stuff to do it. There are cultural forces that encourage ‘bridezilla' behavior.'"