Anyone else hate weddings?

[Pollyanna]

Our wedding was much like STs. Great fun with lots of family. I don't feel like a gal that is "showy" in the least. Doesn't matter to me what kind of wedding folks choose, they can go all out or not. And yes, I hear people say that you should focus on the marriage and not the wedding and I completely agree but I also don't think those things are mutually exclusive.

[Bittersweet]

I like attending weddings. We eloped and *I* personally wouldn't have felt compfortable spending mega bucks. That wasn't the main reason we headed to Las Vegas, though.

With that said, I don't judge big, extravagant weddings. Not my money = not my business. I respect the decision to celebrate a huge milestone in a huge way.

[diggitydot]

Anyone else hate weddings?

We paid $20 cash to get married at the courthouse in Chicago, had a nice dinner at Coco Pazzo alone, and stayed the night at the Park Hyatt. Then it was back to life as usual. I don't regret this choice for a second. I am from the camp who thinks weddings are a huge waste of money. I guess there's no surprise there.

Kinda similar to our experience. I think we planned our wedding in less than two weeks, paid for a cake, the license, and the person who married us. My mom was appalled that I hadn't even considered flowers or at least a bouquet. I've never once regretted our decisions.

[Sheherezade]

I like weddings, but my personal preference is always for smaller over a blowout. We had a very elegant wedding in a public garden with lunch after at fancy French restaurant. Small guest list, It was affordable. My dad gave me a dollar amount and told me to plan what I wanted. We came in way under budget. I think I'd do the same - earmark money towards a wedding, tell the kids that's our contribution and let them figure it out. My only requirement would be that I'm invited! I don't see saving for my kids as an Either/or situation. We would try to help with a house too, or for infertility treatments. We are already paying for college. I think you have to make decisions about how to contribute to your kids lives as the situations arise. Who knows what they will need or whether it will be a good idea to offer or not? If my kids were horrible students and totally unfocused on the future, we wouldn't be sending them to college right away, either. .

[alison]

I knew we thought alike!!

I edited you because I still like the rest of you even if you are crazy and I hope you like me even if you think I'm a tightwad!

Well... I do think weddings are a waste of money, but who am I to really judge people for the choices I deem ridiculous. I choose to spend hard-earned money on baby strollers. Probably equally idiotic!

[DrBandMe]

I like weddings. Small, large, pricey or not... I love being part of such a special moment in someone's life. My wedding is in 8 days and it is turning out to be all we had hoped for. We decided to go small on the guest list so we were able to pamper our guests a bit and truly only invite those people who are active parts of our lives. I dont regret a cent we've spent and I will happily do the same for our hopefully eventual children.

[Pollyanna]

I like weddings. Small, large, pricey or not... I love being part of such a special moment in someone's life. My wedding is in 8 days and it is turning out to be all we had hoped for. We decided to go small on the guest list so we were able to pamper our guests a bit and truly only invite those people who are active parts of our lives. I dont regret a cent we've spent and I will happily do the same for our hopefully eventual children.

So exciting!!!!! Hope we get to see pics

[spaz]

I like weddings. Small, large, pricey or not... I love being part of such a special moment in someone's life. My wedding is in 8 days and it is turning out to be all we had hoped for. We decided to go small on the guest list so we were able to pamper our guests a bit and truly only invite those people who are active parts of our lives. I dont regret a cent we've spent and I will happily do the same for our hopefully eventual children.

And that is all that really matters!!! My daughter and her friend were watching some bride show on cable when we were at a violin camp.. The brides had to rate each other's weddings.... I made them turn it off. I told them that was the most stupid thing I ever heard of. The only people that it should matter to are the husband and wife. If they like it, then that is all that matters. It is THEIR day and who cares what anyone else thinks!!!!!

[v-girl]

I loved my wedding! Best 4th of July ever! 200 people and a full Catholic Mass, followed by karaoke, BBQ, and beer for hours! My mom paid for it as a once in a lifetime gift and she doesn't regret it. We did focus on our marriage - our diocese required a retreat weekend (engaged encounter), premarital counseling, and a sponsor couple to guide us into marriage.

DH would rather pay for weddings than college. Our marriage has been much more pleasant than our educations. Hehe! Obviously we will help with education as well. 😉


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[DrBandMe]

Of course I'll have photos and share them with you all! I am so excited I feel like I may burst. I'm all sunshine and roses and unicorns and glitter and kittens these days!

[diggitydot]

Anyone else hate weddings?

My Catholic peeps -- can someone please explain the ball signs on the face? What is that? I want to be prepared when we attend our next Catholic wedding in a couple weeks. Hell, I'd just like to know WTH is going on with what I'm assuming is some sort of symbolism.

FWIW, I'm not religious in anyway, was raised Presbyterian (heretical), disagree with many of the church's teachings vehemently, but I'm FASCINATED with Catholic ceremony. I'm not quite sure why, but find it beautiful.

[bobk]

You must be referring to the gesture just before the gospel is read. It's a small sign of the cross made with your thumb over your forehead, lips and heart. It's supposed to be reminder to retain the gospel, proclaim it, and live it.

[diggitydot]

You must be referring to the gesture just before the gospel is read. It's a small sign of the cross made with your thumb over your forehead, lips and heart. It's supposed to be reminder to retain the gospel, proclaim it, and live it.

Is that what that is? I had no idea, but I was pretty sure it had some sort of significant symbolism.

Interesting.

[Pollyanna]

Here is a really good explanation of that:

During Mass, we make a little cross on our head, lips, and heart, because these outward gestures made with our bodies are pointing to an inward prayer that is happening in our hearts.

When the Gospel is about to be read, the priest says: 'A Reading from the Gospel according to St____.' The congregation then responds, 'Glory to You Oh Lord,' making a small cross with their thumb over their forehead, lips, and chest.

Remember, the cross itself is a sign of redemption in and through Jesus Christ. When we make this sign of the cross, in any form, it's an outward act to profess our inward faith in the Trinity. This sign declares that, through our baptism, we belong to God.

The reason for making a cross during this period of the Mass is to highlight the importance of the Word of God we are about to hear.

St. Paul taught us,

'For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart' (Hebrews 4:12).

In the outward sign of crossing our forehead, lips, and heart, we are asking that the Word of God to pierce our mind, lips, and hearts.

We cross our forehead so that the Word of God may be in our thoughts and purify our minds. We cross our lips so that our speech may be holy and incline us to share the Gospel with others. And we cross our hearts to invite God to strengthen our love for Him and others. All of this is so that we might know, proclaim, and love Jesus Christ all the more.

So next time you’re at mass and the Gospel is about to be proclaimed pray that 'The word of God be ever in my mind, proclaimed by my lips, and pierce my heart leading me to deeper communion with you, Jesus.'

[MAPPLEBUM]

I generally hate weddings. Up until recently I had successfully avoided going to any (except my siblings') except for the fact that I have played in hundreds, maybe thousands of them for cold hard cash. Even for the friends wedding we recently attended I played solo cello so once again it was a different experience. It's very different too when you come in and out for the ceremony and usually never even meet the bride, but I've sat through so many the predictability is mind numbing. Yes, the likelihood of a couple hiring a string quartet for an unconventional wedding is pretty low. But for such a booming industry wouldn't you expect a little variance? Bridal gowns remind me of a bigger, more expensive prom dress. It's impossible to fathom how expensive they are when they look so god damn cheap. Same with bride's maid's dresses. I have seen some pretty gorgeous flower arrangements but the color schemes some people choose are horrendous. I won't even get into the stereotypical phrases (like "this ring is a circle without end") officiants use and the complete and utter lack of creativity on their parts. I will say, however, after my own wedding I now do enjoy watching people go through what I describe as the most terrifying experience of my life. It is also nice to reflect on the vows and feel sentimental about my cute beau.

I obviously did not go all out for our wedding, though it was perfect. We chose an all inclusive lodge in the NC Smokies where we'd had a few lovely romantic weekends in years past. Only closest family members, we came in Wednesday evening, got hitched Thursday, and then spent the rest of the weekend having fun. Friday morning after the wedding we rafted the Nantahala and that night partied and danced to a dixie band. Epic views, great hikes, and gourmet food. Ahhhh wish we could do it again this year! I wore a formal gown (not white) that I can use for performances in the future.