Blog #19

I'm in a glass case of emotions!

      
        Say What?

       

                   It's wedding season!

     Since nearly half my family and friends are getting married this year and I'm a bridesmaid in two of them, how could I not post about weddings!  Who knew there are an overflow of traditions, expectations and (as Sheldon would say) 'social conventions' pertaining to  weddings? After listening to many conversations, I just have to say: a  conventional wedding is not for me.  

    First off let me just say that having a wedding is a lot of unneeded pressure BUT millions of girls/boys grow up concocting the perfect wedding day with all the trimmings? How does it happen? I never grew up dreaming of that. Is it an outside influence when we're younger? Why is it the wedding day?

           Secondly, weddings are unreasonably costly ( just as are funerals these days, but that's another blog).  So technically, the bride and groom shell out thousands of dollars to celebrate with every family member they can find in his and her address book, while the guests give them maybe the equivalent in gifts? Doubtful. I can understand wanting to celebrate with family in friends but to celebrate with an Uncle and 5th cousin who last saw you never? Pur-lease. Invite the people you truly want to spend the day with and rejoice you're forever attachment-ness. 

    Thirdly, there are SO many "rules" I never knew about (not shocking).  Examples being: who throws the bridal shower? The Groom's family is supposed to pay for the alcohol while the Bride's is supposed to dish out for everything else? The engagement ring and wedding ring are two separate rings!?  A couple pretty much has to apply to be able to marry in a church? The decorating of the "get away" car is normally done by the groomsmen?  We're practically the only nation that dresses our Brides in all white? In Indian cultures, they wear white to funerals and brides wear red saris (cool!) After frequenting bridal boutiques and shops, I was happy to spy a few "non-traditional", slightly colored wedding gowns on the racks.  

Lastly, since I could go on forever, wedding days are a joyous time; don't get me wrong. Every Bride and Groom has the right to plan it however they would like: traditional or non-traditional and not have to justify anything to anyone.  As long as your day has you sparkling with delight, do it however you'd like! As for me? I'll just stick to the Justice of the Peace and save all my money for a honeymoon to Greece or Italy or Crete or Barcelona!...ok, I digress.

Congratulations to all the dynamite Brides and Grooms! Aryn and Brandon. Cassie and Andrew. Logan and Ken. Nicole and Duke. Lakin and Tyler. Ryan and Kelsey. Heather and Zach.