Weddings: My thoughts

So I have been married for a little over 2 months and that has given me a lot of time to think about weddings. Isn't the concept of a wedding a little wierd? I mean if you think about the origins of weddings, they started out as celebrations thrown by the family of the bride. Not to say that the bride's family doesn't pay for the wedding anymore but it is different. Back in the day it was a celebration that the family was able to find a match/a mate/a soulmate/husband for their daughter. It was the big send off to start them out right. It was a way to show off wealth. It was a way to give the young couple well wishes and a good start to their new life together. Many times a family would provide the couple with a new home or land or a business, something to start the couple out right. Many times the man was much older than the woman, but younger couples wed as well. That was also why guests would bring gifts, however it wasn't always toasters and towels.
Weddings are just wierd. Jeremiah and I planned an entire wedding and reception to celebrate our wedding. I feel like it shouldn't be the couple throwing the reception. Its like throwing your own birthday party. Gosh we could have bought all the gifts on our registry (well most of them) for the total amount we spent on our wedding. But don't get me wrong, I loved my wedding and reception and I am glad we were able to have a celebration with our families. And the other thing I find extremly wierd is the gift registries. Yes I made one, but as I told everyone it was more of a suggestion list. My favorite gifts were the ones that came from the heart that were not on the list. These include:
-Monogrammed towels
-Handmade platter and placque made by the one and only Caitlin
-The scrapbook a friend is making for me
-The cookbooks
-The water bottle with my name etched into it
-The cookie and cake mixes
And the countless other items that came from the heart.

I guess I just find weddings a little wierd, but I am glad I had one and I am glad it turned out exactly how I wanted it. It wasn't big but it wasn't small. It wasn't expensive. It was exactly how we wanted it to be. And that is how a wedding should be. It shouldn't be night that will cost you more than a down payment on a house. Your dress should never cost more than 2 months of paychecks (mine cost me $100). You shouldn't go broke and max out your credit cards just for one day. Because it is only one day that marks the start of forever. A future that you are excited for. It should reflect the life you plan to live. It should be fun and classy and reflect your personalities. Pick colors that are you, not the in colors. Pick food that makes you happy, not fancy and expensive. Pick a dj that will make you want to dance. Pick a site to have your reception that wants you to have the perfect day. Use your resources wisely and use your friends. Well don't use them, but utilize them. Most likely they will be more than happy to help out, everyone loves to be part of a wedding.

Thats my two cents, its not right or wrong, its just what I think.