If you're an excited bride-to-be considering a destination wedding, you'd be well advised to pick up Destination Wedding Planner ($19.95). Written by wedding planner Alison Hotchkiss, creative director of Alison Events, this book is full of all the advice that a bride-to-be could possibly need for plotting the perfect far-flung wedding. I just received the book yesterday, and I haven't been able to tear myself away from its pages.

After pausing to take in the book's gorgeous cover (the photo was taken from a wedding on a Kauai beach), I admired its handsome, smart design. A ring binder spine makes it easy to flip through, and tabs labeling topics such as "Getting Started," "Location, Location," and "Pulling It Off" allow a harried bride-to-be to turn to the correct section at a moment's notice.

Each chapter begins with a collage of inspirational photos, printed on heavy cardstock. The cardstock page flips to reveal a hidden pocket, perfect for storing inspirational ideas, photographs, invitation samples, or lists. Throughout the book, Alison's tone is pitch-perfect. She conveys practical advice and inspired ideas in a welcoming tone that reminds me of my best girlfriends. The book is also really fun to read, with a combination of lists, highlighted tips, quizzes, and pages reserved for notes and contact information.

I definitely needed this book last year, when I was planning my destination wedding, but my loss is every other bride-to-be's gain. And for $20, this may be the smartest item you budget into your wedding!