The latest editions of Penguin Classics designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith are out and I’m lusting after the covers of Emma and Alice in particular. I’m considering having the last paragraph of Emma read aloud at our wedding, perhaps from this exact copy. I think it would be sweet little touch to our humble, garden nuptials. Of the intimate wedding of Mr. Knightly and Miss woodhouse Austen wrote:
“The wedding was very much like other weddings, where the parties have no taste for finery or parade…but in spite these deficiencies, the wishes, the hopes, the confidence, the predictions of the small band of true friends who witnessed the ceremony, were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the union.”
oh how sweet! It is a perfect quote, I think. If you decide to not do it as a reading, maybe on the program? Or in a frame in a beautiful font on the refreshment table? I’ve been more excited about your wedding than any in some time!! Tell us more, more, darling!
(And LOVE the latest editions!)
Katie! What a darling idea for your wedding. How perfect would that quote be? Emma is my favorite book of all-time. I have yet to purchase the Penguin edition, but it’s next on my list (how can you resist that cover?!). So very sweet :)
XOXO fallon
I’m completely obsessed with these new editions and have been eyeing The Odyssey and The Woman in White. I love that paragraph from Emma and it would be perfect to be read at a wedding.
What a great addition to any bookshelf.
Want to know a little secret? They sell for 20$ a book at Anthropologie… but you can buy them on wal-mart.com for 13$ a book!
Stephanie — Good idea! I’ve been compiling ideas for the program. We must include it!
Fallon — Great minds love the same things, or something like that right? xo
Melissa — The Odyssey cover is so neat too, you really can’t go wrong.
Kirby — You should treat yourself to one too!
Kate — Look at you bargain shopper! Thanks for the tip!
I saw Alice at Barnes and Noble yesterday and just about squealed right there! It’s so neat to see these vintage covers amidst all the modern ones!
OMG! These are amazing. I have friends who work at Penguin and I’m literally considering buying up the whole lot…
What a lovely idea for a quotation at your wedding.
LOVE LOVE LOVE these. Especially because I’ve been watching the BBC version of Emma for the past month haha… This would be a very fun touch at the wedding!!
Yeah! I love the chairs on Emma.
I love the idea of having someone special read the quote at the end of the wedding, very classy and very you!! Then you could also incorporate it somehow into the reception- your readers are posting great ideas! Peace! M
So glad you ladies approve of the idea! I’m dreaming up all sorts of fun things for the program and the ceremony. Can’t wait to share more! xo katie
MUST.RESIST.BUYING.EVERY.SINGLE.PENGUIN.CLASSIC…
Not very easy…
Love this quote…… so many options… I used my talented friends and family to sing during our ceremony, it made everyone else more involved in the whole wedding. People notice special touches during the ceremony that’s what it’s all about.
Hope you enjoyed Glee. We don’t have a TV either so we relax to a netflix movie.
xxx
CEO
I love the Alice in Wonderland copy! I’m not usually a fan of pink, but that’s such a gorgeous shade.
these are so sweet!
i want them all!
Love love love! I’m a huge fan of these designs (and the actual ‘reads’)!
Oh gosh… I love these. Sadly J and I probably already have all the books in some other collection. I may still have to get some though. Oh! And we considered reading that paragraph of Emma in a toast from us to our family & friends but decided against it for some reason. I did however make it my facebook status during the honeymoon! Almost the same right? xoxo
What a lovely touch — made even more lovely by the gorgeous cover. Your party may have no taste for finery or parade but it will not be lacking in love and style. xoA
Dear Katie,
I just experienced a wave of goosebumps whilst reading that exerpt. It is absolutely perfect and charming.
MT
I LOVE that last paragraph — Emma is one of my favorite books, and is definitely my favorite Jane Austen book… These covers are darling!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and for leaving your sweet comment. Yours is absolutely darling and I can’t wait for more!
xxoo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com
CEO — I’m thinking of asking my brothers to sing something, such a great idea!
Kate — I can’t believe you almost used it too! Small world!
Amy — You’re too kind. I just smiled big time.
MT — So glad you approve : )
Josie — Welcome!!! xoxo
I love the idea of using that selection from Emma in your wedding. I also love Emma, love the books…I could go on and on.
The first time I saw the copy of Alice in Wonderland, I wanted to scoop it up and save it to put it on a bedside table in a little girl’s room in the future.
I was actually talking about these new designed books the other day! Anthro is a genius to carry them…and its always nice to have a couple of copies of your faves (especially a pretty copy!)
That’s such a great idea – and what a beautiful quote. Definitely include in the program if not the ceremony – would be so perfect :) I’m dying to get my hands on all these great penguin classics – not only do i love the stories but they keep coming out with such awesome designs!! they must stop :)
I love these, they are great novels but their outer appearance makes them even greater!
Beautiful quote! Sounds like it would be perfect for your wedding.
And beautiful books! I just recieved as a gift Great Expectations, Sense and Sensability, and Jane Eyre. Almost to gorgeous to read :)
aren’t those books just to die for?! oh penguin!! i love the idea of reading that aloud at your wedding! it will be so special!
xoxo
tod
Everyone’s so supportive of the idea—I think we must use Emma! It’s one of my all time favorite of Austen’s works. I love Miss Woodhouse despite her vices. xo
We sell some of these at Anthro…and I spent some extra time straightening them/mooning over them, today, and then here was your post. Great minds, Kate, great minds!
Seeing as though I’ve posted on here before about my love for Emma, you can only imagine how wonderful I think the idea is! Another thought – maybe on the back of the wedding invitation? Kind of a nice preview to the wedding. I also do like the program and ceremony ideas as well :) My favorite line (in the movie) might be when Knightley proposed to Emma and says “marry me, marry me my wonderful, darling friend.”
And – of course – I will absolutely be buying this book. I bought an old, all torn up copy years ago at a secondhand bookstore in Portland, Oregon (in addition the one I read the first time in high school). I think I need to start displaying my collection!
Did you see the new Masterpiece Theatre version of Emma? It was quite charming, and I believe it’s out on dvd now.
That excerpt is a perfect addition to your ceremony. Although based on your blog posts, you have quite the eye for finery!!
I always believed there’s no reason not to buy multiple copies of your favorite classics, and these are no exception. The covers are perfection!
I love those book designs. A blogging friend took this lovely photo back in January:
cup of tea and a good book
which just seemed like the perfect image.
I must tell you, I’m all sorts of excited about these books. I just can’t decide where I send my copies: home to sit in a box in NJ, or to CA where I’d have to find a spot to put them. Decisions, decisions…
ok i know this is my 948571st comment of the day but clearly i’m behind on my blog reading :) this is THE cutest idea i’ve ever heard. that cover is perfection and the passage couldn’t be more spot on. ahhh, obsessed.
Ohh I LOVE the Alice cover! And I think it’s a lovely idea to read that excerpt from Emma at your nuptuals, sounds perfect :)