In defense of weddings
This year I seem to be hearing and reading lots of tirades about what a wedding consists of. I've read reasons why engagement rings are bad, why food at weddings is horrible, how a bad case of Bridezilla-itis might mean the groom should run, why conspicuous consumption has ruined a sacred institution. I've heard reasons why no guest should be invited unless they are likely to bring a gift worth $50 or more, 60 billion reasons (give or take a few) that elopement is the way to go, and parents console each other through the most stressful year of their life... planning a wedding.
Dare I mention the other frequent complaints? Single women who are guilted into half-heartedly fetching a bouquet... family members who stand up to give a toast and cause the entire guest list to squirm... and waiting forever for the party to start when you really wanted to leave half an hour ago.
I know you've collected your own version of this list, but I would, in the face of this colossal tide, offer up a small defense of weddings.
A) They're pretty.
B) You get to see happy people.
C) It's a party.
Doesn't that tip the balance?
So maybe weddings have gotten a little out of hand, but when the air of the bride and groom is "I'm happy, ever so happy, but it would make me even more happy if you could come and be happy with me" well, then, it seems like a good investment.
Dare I mention the other frequent complaints? Single women who are guilted into half-heartedly fetching a bouquet... family members who stand up to give a toast and cause the entire guest list to squirm... and waiting forever for the party to start when you really wanted to leave half an hour ago.
I know you've collected your own version of this list, but I would, in the face of this colossal tide, offer up a small defense of weddings.
A) They're pretty.
B) You get to see happy people.
C) It's a party.
Doesn't that tip the balance?
So maybe weddings have gotten a little out of hand, but when the air of the bride and groom is "I'm happy, ever so happy, but it would make me even more happy if you could come and be happy with me" well, then, it seems like a good investment.
Comments
Although I have to admit that navigating a wedding as a single girl was a heck of a lot easier than navigating one as a bridesmatron with two children, one of them nursing. Now THAT is a logistical problem! :)