When I was planning my wedding, I was terrified of being perceived as one of “those” brides. You know, the bridezillas.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t want to be that bride who obsesses over every detail of her wedding and constantly reminds the bridal party that this wedding is “her day.”\u00a0(And even grooms can be this way, too \u2014 it\u2019s not always singled out to one gender.)<\/p>\n
For the most part, I kept my head on straight. Though I\u2019m sure I snapped at my fianc\u00e9, Mike, and was rude to my mom at least a few times. And I got overwhelmed. At times I had a hard time seeing the wedding as a celebration of our new life together, rather than an event that had to look like the perfect representation of our love.<\/p>\n
If I could go back, here\u2019s the advice I\u2019d give myself:<\/p>\n
Pinterest will be the death of you \u2014 and your relationship with everyone you love.<\/p>\n
In the past, I’ve written about the problems with social media (read here<\/a> and here<\/a>). I\u2019ve talked about how Pinterest creates hyperbolic expectations for all things in life. And weddings are perhaps the premiere example of this.<\/p>\n What’s important to know about Pinterest is that the majority of wedding decor, table settings, etc., are props. Most of those perfect photos are the result of photographers, makeup artists and designers who got together and hosted a styled shoot.<\/p>\n Those photos are meant to give you a bit of inspiration. Not necessarily a budget-friendly example.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to be realistic.\u00a0Talk with family and your fianc\u00e9 about your budget and make sure your expectations meet that budget.\u00a0Figure out what\u2019s important, and prioritize. For example, maybe you\u2019ll still have beautiful florals and handwritten welcome signs, but then maybe opt for a budget-friendly option for tables and chairs.<\/p>\n Communicate about your budget and remember that Pinterest should be a tool for inspiration, not an avenue for avarice, insecurities and false expectations.<\/p>\n I’ve had the most fun at some of the most inexpensive weddings.<\/p>\n During weddings, there\u2019s something that hits you on an emotional and<\/em> spiritual level. Seeing two people come together and unite as one<\/a> under God is a joyful and humble experience for those in attendance.<\/p>\n Even if you only said your vows, ate your mom\u2019s staple spaghetti at the reception and threw some homemade cake in your partner’s face, your wedding would still be stunning because it’s not about the aesthetics \u2014 it’s about the commitment.<\/p>\n Before I got married, I never really appreciated the vow exchange.\u00a0But I will remember the moment when Mike and I became husband and wife for the rest of my life. We were both sobbing as we looked in each other’s eyes, and in that moment, we felt the Lord’s presence with us.<\/p>\n At that moment, the florals and the menu and the music didn’t matter. What mattered was Mike and me saying our vows before the Lord.<\/p>\nRemember that your wedding is going to be beautiful no matter what<\/h4>\n