Offbeat Bride

Without realizing it, I chose the best wedding advice website for myself months ago. Offbeat Bride is a site made specifically for those who are undermining regular social conforms to present a wedding that is unique for the couple's style and personality. There are discussions on how to destroy the word tacky and how to deal with those who believe that tradition should come before happiness. For months, I've stuck to this website without much search for others. Having changed that this morning, I won't do it again.

There are layers and layers of social etiquette laid down by the same people who condemn partners who have had premarital sex and consider a twenty three thousand dollar wedding to be cheap. For a woman who is trying to get out with about seven, all of their requests seem ludicrous.

I googled "cash bar vs. open bar" a few minutes ago. There are pros and cons to each and I've been debating seriously on which to have. Cash bar is cheaper and it isn't like I'll be of age to drink at my wedding anyway. Open bar is more traditional, but leads to guests getting completely wasted and leading to embarrassing things. Now, it might be worth the money just to see some of my friends perform whatever ridiculous stunts they might do. I would have loved a comprehensive list that someone else had thought of too. That isn't what I received at all.

The first two links made me absolutely furious. The point of these websites were to shame any couple who chose to meander from the well-beat, over-used path that weddings usually take.
Cash bar? You'll be considered trash by all your friends and they will never accept you in their social circles again. It's so tacky and everyone will know that you're not rich enough to throw down thousands for every little whim!

Really? If that is what my friends would think of me upon realizing that we're having a cash bar, I'd prefer if they chose not to come to the wedding. In reality, 90% of the guests will be under the drinking age. We would be buying the bar for about 10 people. Unless there is a company willing to only charge for those over 21 attending my wedding, I really don't want to dole out that cash. I'll buy drink tickets and put them in the card specifically for those guests over 21. The other option doesn't make sense.

I didn't stop reading when I should have. The second website I visited immediately started scolding those who choose not to have children at their wedding. Again, this hasn't been on my mind much, but I'm considering cutting out kids from my wedding.

Being that my wedding is going to be in a cave over 500 feet underground, I don't especially want your little ones running around underfoot. Along with that, most of my attendees are under 21. There are only a few who have kids, and most of the ones who do are family. If I have kids coming to the wedding, it will be because I've looked at the roster and realized that there are family members who can't leave their kids four hours away. Plus, most of the kids are over the age of 5 and much less likely to freak out in the caves.

Either way, I should not be chastised for what decisions I choose. It isn't being a bridezilla; it is being realistic. In this economy, there aren't many families who can afford the average $22,000 wedding. For those who would gasp and be appalled at my decisions, feel free to let me know ahead of time so I can cut you from the list.