Now, it seems that my daughter is perfectly capable of planning and organizing things, and only barely needs some assistance from me or anyone else, and I remain blissfully ignorant about many details or decisions, but again, I will show up happily on the day.
However, I notice a steep rise in prices of things (at least I can recall being a bridesmaid and being somewhat horrified to spend $100 on a dress I'd certainly never wear again, and did so several times -- the going rate now looks more like $300, so sticker shock is a reasonable response I feel) and we have not yet gotten to bands and flowers and food and drinks (oh my gosh, I hate to think of the bar bill!!), so it's anyone's guess how this will all play out. Friends who are in the wedding biz tell me that the average US wedding costs $30,000 and Marilla is hardly average! Did you know that there are gifts of some sort at the reception for the guests? I said no way, that the guests bring gifts, they don't take them home, but apparently, the bridal industry has thought up yet another way for people to spend money on these events.
And so, I am finding myself somewhat of an old fogie. Separately and without discussion, my ex-husband and I each suggested a supper dance instead of a dinner dance -- rejected by the daughter/planner. I offered a weekend of ceremony with just family and wedding party with a later big ol' party as an option -- rejected by the daughter/planner. What about something small at a pretty place out of the country, knowing fewer people would attend a destination wedding -- nope. So it seems to come down to a ceremony possibly at a church, followed by a sit down dinner, and lots of dancing and drinking. Who could object to that!!!??!!
Yet, I have been amazed by my daughter and her beau. They seem much more grown up than I remember feeling at 24 and are relishing all the decision-making and planning. They like hearing 15 bands over the course of several weeks and choosing one. They know what questions to ask and how to negotiate a little. They are a good match for each other -- that old yin and yang in action. And so I am happy for them... and for me since I am apparently not a wedding planner at heart.
