Many thanks to my editor, Lisa Weinert, for being a champion of this book and helping it find a home at Vintage Books. To my agent, Eric Simonoff, for shepherding the deal, and to Michael Steger, who was instrumental in permissions and who handled my many questions with grace and kindness. To my family, Mary-beth Raff, John Curran, and Maggie Curran, always for your love and support, and for making my wedding one of the best days of my life. To Chase Decker, William Decker, and Annette McGrew for welcoming me into your family with love and laughter. To my good friends Gretchen Comba and Sarah Lese, for listening to my ideas for this book and for the good fortune of your friendship. To my husband, Francis Decker, for being a voice of reason and for always believing in me. And, of course, to the twenty-seven writers who offered their insights, their talents, and their stories of the big day.