Testimonies: I want the fairy-tale wedding!
Simple, tasteful, traditional weddings are the norm in my family. We recently celebrated three poofy dress, three tiered cake marriages. Theme and destination extravaganzas are for people who have money to burn. Any average middle class family does not have the resources to consider excessive luxury in this economy.
One right after the other we shared three big, inclusive weddings. The first marriage took place on a front lawn, with the reception under a tent in the backyard where a local disc jockey rocked the house. The second wedding was to be on the beach, but mother nature cried that morning so, vows were exchanged at home with the reception at a banquet hall. The third wedding took place at a country club. They were equally lovely, the same minister performed each ceremony. The brides were all beautiful in their traditional gowns with cathedral trains and every generation was represented to witness these marriages. Only the banquet hall reception excluded small children. No one tried to outdo the other. It's all about the union and the happiness of the couples. No one went into debt to pay for excessive beyond their means. We are practical people.
We are also an extremely large family. The biggest wedding took place on the lawn. The bride wore white, children of every age were in attendance, so no on had to hire a babysitter and neighbors I had not seen since childhood turned up. The favors were lavender heart shaped candles in line with the wedding party colors with monogrammed ribbon. There was no pressure about gifting as the bride and groom did not register for gifts; but graciously accepted whatever people wanted to give. No pressure. They must have received six punch bowls. In this economy we are mindful that many people are trying hard to resist foreclosure. Reality!
The second couple registered at Target and I thought, "They must be kidding, they don't want any gifts." The gifts were not pricey but practical. They had been living together for more than a year and really didn't need anything. If you weren't first out of the door to buy from the register you missed the opportunity as there was little on it. While the wedding was not themed, the bridal shower had been a pool party with magnetic slippers as favors. All good fun! The truth be told, they had eloped some months earlier but the celebration was for both sides of the family to share their union before God and Man, and the bride wore white.
The third wedding was at the country club, so some guests had dinner before attending because they were familiar with the club. It's good for golf, but "We don't come here for the food." someone said. The bride here with adult children, now marrying for the second time wore an amazing cream colored dress which was designed to perfection. Her tasteful wedding favors were candies in the color of her dress and the matching chocolate brown of her bridesmaids gowns. She looked fabulous and no detail was unattended. They all had looked fab! All three couples had been aglow with the ambiance of love for their fairy tale weddings. Why would I expect anything less? Why would I kill myself to find outrageously expensive favors?
Beautiful, simple traditional weddings are standard and require no complication. While I've not been dating and rarely contemplate marriage, if I were to marry, traditional is a lovely option. All of the exotic options seem like they would be more romantic shared as a couple than with an enormous crowd. Unless ones celebrity dictated and afforded otherwise - I can't imagine it. My family would not go lightly about any choice I might make to marry. We do not accept just any old body into the fold. We've come to discover the hard way that the most treacherous incompatible wolves present themselves in sheep's clothing and require excessively close examination. This scrutiny has now also become tradition, without it the fairy tale would end abruptly as newlyweds exit their reception and turn quickly into a tragic horror! These three unions enjoy the full unwavering support of both sides of all six families involved. It most certainly best supports newlyweds to stand on solid foundations all around while building a life together where the families know each other and harbor no secrets or hidden agenda. This tradition is also most important. There are bound to be pit falls along the road to any new situation no matter how glorious the send off. It helps new couples to know that if they fall, there are lots of solid cushions gathered together to break that fall, to uplift them in love, together. Isn't that what it's really all about?
Learn more about this author, Http://CintiLaird.ws/Cinti
