Weddings can become such a spectacle sometimes.
I become quite disheartened when people stress excessively about the actual wedding day, that they forget about the lifetime of hard work after - who's going to be in the wedding, what are they going to wear, it must all be uniform, blah-blah-blah. Then you get those overbearing aunts and cousins who are under the illusion that they have a say and like contribute their two cents, even though it isn't wanted or needed, and the poor bride capitulates so as not to offend or cause huge rifts in the family. On the flip side, you get brides that don't give a rat's ass about anyone but herself, and alienates people who have been there for her, her whole life.
One thing in particular that really upsets me, particularly with Muslim marriages, is how the brides forget the boundaries of our religion when it comes to their wedding. I was really appalled at one of my cousins when she got married, because her dress was so transparent, she may as well have been naked. You have just bound yourself to one man, and every other male attending your wedding reception is treated to what should be for your husband's eyes only.
My baby sister was married eighteen months ago. She prides herself on being unconventional, and I daresay, certain aspects of her big day were quite so. I was really proud of the decisions she made with regards to her wedding.
The image above was taken in one of our local botanical gardens, and the only specification she gave to the photographer on that day was that she wanted to have 'sneaker' pics.
We are part Indian, and those of you who have attended one will know it can be quite an extravagant affair. The week before the actual wedding day is crammed with smaller functions and get-togethers. She chose to forgo all of that.
Her dress was beautiful - it covered her completely, and instead of having her hair done up with a tiara and veil, she wore it completely covered, simply draping her headscarf in a more formal way. She also said "To hell with fashion, I want to be comfortable" and wore flat satin pumps, instead of six inch heels.
Her bridal party consisted of eight of our family's grandchildren - five of our nieces and three of our nephews. Instead of spending obscene amounts of money on custom made ensembles that they would wear for only one day, she allowed the four bridesmaids (of which three towers over her) to select their own dress, in a colour of their liking, so that they could wear it again, and asked them all to accessorize with silver (scarves, bolero jackets, shoes and jewelry).
She didn't hire a stylist, a make-up artist or fancy cars, and she designed her own wedding dress.
Her unusual wedding was the most relaxed and most enjoyable one our family has experienced in a long time.
Convention is definitely overrated.
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