Second Thoughts

Good news! I've got vendors all picked out and plans in place for my One Perfect Day. It's all coming together.

But... I've been spending a lot of time looking at those budget numbers. Dad has been very generous by offering us the wedding gift of a check and his encouragement to plan WHAT I WANT. Tough decision. I've been thinking about it a lot. Weddings are good family fun, a chance to show off my great taste and party with the people who grew me up and support us. I love my family, and I want them to celebrate this rite of passage with me. But it's asking a lot for them to visit Oregon, and most won't make it. Not to mention my feminist, environmentalist, anti-consumerist objections. I think most of you know and love me enough to understand what I mean when I say that I've got that Steve Miller song running through my head, "Go on, take the money and run...." 

Not to turn this into a political statement, but below are some articles about conscious brides and the wedding-industrial complex.  (Check out the romantic South Carolina wedding in the photo - recognize that gorgeous blonde?)

BY CAITLIN FLANAGAN
The Wedding Merchants
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200102/flanagan


by Elise Mac Adam
Why even the most savvy brides strive for that "One Perfect Day"
http://indiebride.com/interviews/mead/index.html

By Hannah Wallace
The marriage industrial complex
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2007/05/21/mead_weddings/

By Meghan O'Rourk
I Love You, Let's Have a Blowout: DOING TIME IN THE WEDDING-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX.
http://www.slate.com/id/2165581/