Lessons From 2011: All The Damn Weddings

They did it right, didn’t they?” Friends of ours got married in a 13-person, family only intimate ceremony at a winery. J and I weren’t invited, and that is more than ok. In their Facebook picture, they looked calm, relaxed and happy. A vast difference from the majority of other weddings of 2011.

When we realized the sheer number of 2011 weddings, J and I approached them with excitement and fun. Then wedding after wedding combined with “Four Weddings” episodes, the fun slowly eroded. Family stress, hectic work schedules, travel, bad food, expensive footwear, bridezillas, indifferent couples, and elaborate facades chipped away at our enthusiasm. We started the year with “WEDDINGS HOORAY! SO MUCH FUN” and ended with “Meh. Another one. Wonder what crap chicken dish will be served this time.”

I intend no disrespect to the married couples. They chose to have weddings as we chose to attend them, and 83 percent of them were great times. I do really wish I could get my money, time, and mental sanity back from one, but it was my decision to stick it out and hope for the best. At their core, weddings celebrate love and married life.

Growing up, I never had any princess dreams. When playing pretend, I opted to be a doctor, restaurant owner, pioneer woman, and Underground Railroad leader. A big wedding rarely factored into playtime. I’d always skip ahead to the happily married part with seven kids.

I don’t know if all the stress, time and money is worth one day. One day to wear a white dress that it takes three people to help me use the bathroom. One day to gather every person who matters in my life only to not really have the time to visit with them. One day to obsess about mason jars, table settings, and seating charts. One day to be judged on.

Only thing I do know is that I don’t look good in white.

(Note:  This was written before I got engaged. I stand by it.  If I do wear a white dress, I’m going to department store and walking out with that crap.)

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