Hi,
Back again after a brief interlude. No real excuses for my tardiness...but I'm back on track now, fit and healthy (hmm), and raring to blog! It's been a heck of a couple of months hasn't it? Earthquakes, Tsunamis, nuclear threats, wars....and that's just in our house! But tomorrow we're all going to be treated to a great big slice of pomp and circumstance in the shape of 'The Royal Wedding'. Woop woop!!!
Don't get me wrong, I'll be watching it! I'm even travelling to the North East to watch it on the TV with my Mum (sad but true), but as someone who worked in the wedding industry for ten years, I'll be watching it with a uniquely critical eye!
We've seen the trees and flowers being delivered to the Abbey, but will the style of the flowers REALLY match her dress? Will William's waistcoat match the bridesmaids' dresses; and the table cloths; and the napkins; and the seat coverings? Will there be a chocolate fountain? Will the evening buffet consist of pork pies and vol-au-vents or will they go for bacon butties? How many Swarovski crystals will be sprinkled on the tables, and will the 'Favours' contain handmade chocolates, or just the cheap option from Thorntons? Will they have to pay corkage for the wine, or will the venue provide the alcohol? Who will sit on the top table? What colour hat is the bride's mother wearing, 'cos Camilla can't wear the same!!!!
Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhhh!
I love weddings! I really do! But how commercial have they got, and how flipping expensive!?!
I used to exhibit at wedding fairs a lot so I've met a lot of Brides. Some were calm, minimalist, working to a budget, rational, in love. For others though, getting married was going to be the BIGGEST and MOST EXPENSIVE day of her life. EVERYTHING had to match, even the chocolate in the chocolate fountain! EVERY bridesmaid needed a mini version of her elaborately beaded tiara (even the 12month old with no hair!) The menu would be studied, rejigged, and tasted to ensure that every detail of the meal was perfect (in her mind). The cake design was laboured over for days; traditional or contemporary; coloured or white; fruit or chocolate; until the poor cake designer became as neurotic as the bride. Then of course there is the dress. Designer or off the peg, pinned and tucked and re beaded to fulfil her idealistic princess fantasy that in reality is NEVER going to me matched.
It isn't a wedding.
It isn't a show of love and affection between two people.
It's a competition!
'Angela spent £10,000 on her wedding, we need to spend £12,000.'
'Deborah had fireworks at her wedding, we need monogrammed Chinese lanterns.'
What the...?
Does all this expense, and stress, and debt lead to a happy marriage? Of course it doesn't. If people love each other it doesn't matter if you get married in Westminster Abbey and have monogrammed page boys, or go to the local registry office and have a bag of chips after. Weddings shouldn't be stressful, they should be fun! And if the Bride is SOOOOO nitpicking about the first day of her married life, it doesn't bode well for the rest of it! After all, not every day of every marriage is going to be faultless!
So, as Kate steps out of the carriage tomorrow looking like the princess she is to become, probably feeling sick with nerves and overcome with the whole event, take a moment to feel a little bit sorry for her. Yes, she gets the ultimate expensive wedding, but she probably won't enjoy it half as much as she would've done having a quickie service and a nice tea with their respective families. Lets hope the pomp and ceremony doesn't impact on their relationship, and lets hope their marriage is a success despite the fact it won't belong to them, but to the world.
In case you were wondering, my wedding was a quiet, budgeted affair, with a lovely meal and a fantastic party afterwards, and yes, we're still in love!
