Deep dark secret
I awoke to a dark and dreary day.
Perfect for curling up under the covers with a good book, or maybe perfect for getting a whole lot of work done.
I’m afraid as good as option one sounds, I’m going to have to go for option two.
You see, I’ve only got a 3 day week this week. Why you ask? I leave on Thursday to head off to beautiful Cleveland, Ohio for my brother-in-laws wedding.
Now first of all, it entails going to Cleveland. Don’t anyone get down on me for not wanting to go to Cleveland. I lived there for 4 years and I am perfectly content with never returning (though the Hubster and I do intend to catch up on the old stomping grounds). But the simple fact that when I checked the weather yesterday, it was 20 degrees colder in Cleveland than it is here, is enough to make me not want to go.
And then there’s this. My deep dark secret. Yes, I know I’m a romance author, I loves me the Happily Ever After, but here’s the secret - I hate weddings.
All weddings. Can’t stand them. Didn’t really even like my own that much (although it was so damn simple there wasn’t much not to like).
And I’m not talking about the reception part of weddings (though I do have a profound hatred for the Hokey Pokey and Bunny Hoop), I hate the actual wedding part of weddings.
I just can’t take the stressing out and paying thousands of dollars for a dress you’re going to wear once. The stress for acheiving perfection in everything from flowers, to friends, to small children who don’t want to be dressed up, to archaic vows that don’t really even have meaning anymore.
I certainly don’t find them romantic in the least. I mean what’s romantic about standing in front of everyone you know, making promises that 50% of married couples don’t keep, while everyone whispers behind your back about how long it’s going to last and the rubbery chicken they’re going to have to force down at the reception.
Now, that said, on Thursday, I will put on my happy face. I will be happy for BIL and soon-to-be SIL. I will do the same in several months for the other BIL’s wedding.
But secretly inside, I will simply continue to hate weddings.
To end on a happier note, and since yesterday’s bunnies went over so well, I figured I’d share some pictures over the next few days. Have I mentioned how much I love my digital camera with super awesome zoom lens?
I took this at the National Zoo.
April 17th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Aww, baby! I like him even more than the bunnies. C’mere, kitty, nice kitty!
April 17th, 2006 at 4:09 pm
I’m so glad you said that… me too. I’ve been waiting for Mr. Pink to get around to proposing, but because I want to be married, have babies, build a family. I’m not looking forward to the wedding part of it. I have no desire to dive into the family war, worry about rubber chicken, or spend thousands of dollars for a party. If I had my way, it would be me and Mr. Pink on a beach in the carribean. My mom, however, is freaking out at the idea… I’m dreading the battle.
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one. :)
April 17th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Wow, what a magnificent picture!
I don’t mind weddings too much. I guess it depends on whose it is. It seems I only enjoy the ones of really close friends and family. My own was actually a nice experience. Of course hubby and I dated for eleven years, so it was a long time coming. But he took a lot of the responsibilty too and we took a lot of easy routes and kept to comfortable budget. So I guess that made a lot of difference.
April 17th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
I don’t like going to weddings mostly because I never have a date! But then again if it’s an open bar…whoo and hoo. And even if it is…there are ways to work around that.
April 17th, 2006 at 11:33 pm
Hi Emma! Neat topic! Especially as you point out for romace writers!
The summer before I got married I was in 6 weddings. I wasn’t a huge fan before then simply from the cost standpoint and being that I didn’t have much…well … anyhow, after that I said no way! The bride and groom never see each other all day as their too busy putting out ‘fires’ and taking care of ‘issues’ and making sure things go off without a hitch.
So when we got married I said simple. We got married one week from the day we decided and instructed - no gifts - only a couple of friends and family (parents only if they could make it - I really didn’t care if they did as then they felt they could have an opinion on everything and I didn’t want to hear that opinion) and we got married in a court house. Simple bands - (cheap) - No tuxies(cheap) - a dress from a shop that I altered to fit(cheap) and no reception(cheap) We both went to work the following day (though we did stay at a hotel that night) and between me and you - I believe we have a better chance of *making it* then those who spend a fortune on the single day.
Why so many people don’t invest more into the actual marriage rather then that day I’ll never understand.
Cool subject Emma! I believe in true love and in the vows I took but not because the whole world saw them but because I said them to my hubby. The one that really counts. Thanks for this interesting line.
Have a great evening!
Cole
April 18th, 2006 at 10:26 am
Yay! People agree with me!
I’m all about simple being better. I guess if the bride and groom are happy, it’s a good wedding, but I’ve been to some where they’re so busy worrying about little crap that I don’t see howo they could be having a good time!
BTW, I got married in Vegas. 50 people came with us and I planned the entire thing over the phone. Easy as pie. (MMMM, pie).
But I like what Colel said, people should invest more in the marriage than the wedding!