Let’s face it: Weddings are beautiful. They may be sassy or sophisticated, proper or rave-like, traditional or cutting-edge. At some point, circa 2005 or so, someone whispered into the ears of television executives and told them the brides devour all things wedding in the months leading up to their wedding. They set off to devise a couple (soon to be followed by a series) of shows aimed at Brides eager to watch and learn everything they could about weddings, event planning, fashion, design and personalization. They show us opulence (Platinum Weddings), self-centered brides (Bridezilla), starry-eyed enthusiasm (Say Yes to the Dress), “Are you serious!?” (My Big Redneck Wedding), ambitious do-it-yourselfers (My Fair Wedding) and even behind the scenes of wedding preparation (Whose Wedding is it Anyway?).
Designing and executing a party for, on average, over 100 people , is a difficult endeavor. Some brides contend with full time jobs or children amidst their pursuits to design a beautiful affair. To put things in perspective, full-time event designers carefully plan and budget their time to be able to execute the vision of their clients with grace as their full-time job… and by that we mean 50-70+ hours a week. Stress naturally arises from balancing work, life, family, children and fur-babies without adding a huge party on top of everything else.
By now, you have no doubt read countless articles or testimonials from other brides describing a myriad of pre-wedding issues. Brides working to successfully navigate the waters of family politics, people-pleasing and desperate cries to understand: “It’s my wedding! Why can’t it just go smoothly without a big fight?”
Well, friends, the unfortunately reality is that it isn’t going to change. Family politics, difficult bridesmaids, unsupportive maids of honor and unexpected guests have no doubt been a part of wedding planning for centuries. Don’t ask me to cite research, here. I’m sure it’s there, and I am sure it’s boring. *smirk*
So, what is a modern bride to do? How can a contemporary woman with designs of conquering the world compete with those things which are out of her control?
Focus on your ceremony.
Often overlooked as “a formality” of the overall event, your ceremony is the only time you and the love of your life will stand in front of one another and announce that you will love each other till death parts you. No one will speak but you. No one can share their thoughts but you. No opinions will be voiced. When you stand at the alter, time will stop and speed up simultaneously.
Yes, perhaps mom will weigh-in on the decor. Maybe grandma will comment about the music you selected. Food may be dry, vendors may not show up when expected, friends may bicker, ex-girlfriends may show up, uncle’s may drink too much – and for select and lucky few, all of the above! But nothing can go wrong when you are professing your love and committing a life to one another.
Take the time to think about your ceremony. No one said it has to be stodgy – and while you may have some limitations imposed by the facility, organization or venue from whom you have rented space, the vows you speak to one another can never be censored.
Whether you chose to write your own vows, copy someone’ from the Internet or pull from your favorite movie, poet, Taylor Swift, LMFAO, or Star Trek, “They can’t take that away” from you (Those George Gershwin Fans out there will have picked up on that reference).
Your options are limitless and untouchable – so don’t lose sight of what’s important and what brings you to the party in the first place: your love and commitment to one another.
