Wedding planning really BLOWS. It stressed me out to the max. Between budget problems, bridesmaids who felt “too fat” in every dress I pointed at, parents and grandparents fighting over every magnificent detail, I was ready to run away and never come back!
One thing I’ve always hated is bridal showers (not as much as baby showers, but still). After attending 3 within one month for other people, I was like “This is asinine – I’ve been living on my own for 7 years, I HAVE dishes and towels.” I didn’t ever want to attend another shower, even my own.
So, we moved up the date to within 3 weeks, had it on a friend’s big outdoor farm, and told everyone they were welcome to come on over for some pizza and beer but not to feel obligated. And my bridesmaids could wear their own freakin’ dresses and stop complaining! It was a BLAST, I’ll never regret having done that. And, I got to wear my Doc Martens with my gown :-)
My mom gave me one piece of GREAT advice: Make it a day that represents who you are as a couple. Not what your families expect, not what your friends want, not what all the bridal magazines expect you to spend $25,000 on. The whole idea is to present yourselves newly to the world as a couple. Do it YOUR way!
