You Don’t Need to Get Married to Have a Wedding
Take a look at Augustus Toulmouche’s “The Reluctant Bride” over on the right. Doesn’t she look happy? What a joyous celebration! The times when forced marriages made unhappy brides are over. Now a marriage is a choice...and a wedding is, too. Let’s face it; you don’t need to have legal documentation on fancy paper to celebrate your love. Yeah sure, it helps with taxes and insurance, and the certificate definitely makes it easier to explain your relationship in an “official” societal context. But for some, it’s more about the commitment ceremony itself and the celebration of your love with family and friends, and not so much about the legal mumbo-jumbo.
Legal doesn't always mean right. Now, don’t take that as a license to go crazy and drive 100 mph on the freeway while putting on your mascara and talking on the cell phone, because that is definitely neither legal nor right (at least that’s what my partner tells me). What IS right, whether it’s legal where you live or not, is the beautiful bond between two people. After all, who said a government-condoned celebration is the only meaningful type of ceremony? If you really cared a million percent about what society wants you to do, you probably wouldn't be reading our site anyway. So, have a party; whether it’s legal or not. The government can’t regulate parties, after all.
Same Sex Weddings—Yes, please!
It is our firm opinion that two people in love, regardless of gender, should be able to marry in the eyes of the law. Sadly, some people in some states disagree. Why in the world should you care what they think? Have a party, celebrate your spiritual bond, and do it with style! (Need some designs? We have same-sex wedding invitations we think you’ll like.) You’re not old and stodgy, you’re unconventional and unique. It’s time for new rules!
Living Together Is Not Just a “Trial Period”
You grow up, get a job, and get married, right? There’s no reason that you have to. Some people want to get married, and we say...let them. Some people don’t, and that's okay, too. That abominable phrase “significant other” signifies a real, commited relationship. Though your family and friends may not always get the “significant” part, the truth is, you don’t need a piece of paper to validate your relationship. But you can still celebrate it! Throw a party. Show everyone what your relationship means to you, even if you don’t want to succumb to legalities and societal expectations.
Renewing Your Vows—Why Not?
So you got married a while ago (maybe a long while ago). Relationships, and the people within them, go through many levels of change in the course of a lifetime. Have a reaffirmation ceremony and tell the world that your love has grown over time, and no matter what changes have occurred, you love your partner just as much, and maybe even more, than the day you first married. Some people (and we might just know at least one) had their wedding originally in the traditional way a long time ago, with the poofy white dress in a church. Pretty much did the whole big thing to make other people happy. Well, time has gone by and now you think, what the heck? That ceremony really didn’t represent me at all. Well, have a new one, a fun one this time! Tell people you're tired of conventionality and are going to do it your way this time around! This time, celebrate what makes you both unique—and what makes your love last. Have a beautiful party!
The point is, weddings and marriages are not the same thing...and we support of all your reasons to celebrate. Are you detecting a theme here? Parties = good. Legal = whatever.
