Saturday 9... Wedding Bell Blues

1. If you have been or are married, tell us about your wedding. If you are not, tell us how would you want it to be.
Our wedding was at Moon River Ranch... in Satin, Texas. It was a "destination wedding" as neither of us (or our families) lived in Texas at the time. I saw this venue on the Internet... we drove cross-country to see it... and we fell in love. It was absolutely gorgeous. We were married in a hundred year old little white chapel and had our reception in a barn. All of our guests stayed for the weekend at the ranch in a big bed and breakfast style Texas chic lodge. It was miles from civilization... located right on the Brazos river. It really was the perfect setting for us. Our "theme" was naturally a western chic style being on a working ranch...mixed with aviation (as we both fly). We loved it and wouldn't have changed a thing.

2. What age would you encourage your children to get married?
Mid to late 20s... old enough to know who you are and what you want in a partner and out of life, finished with your education, starting a career... but still young enough to enjoy each others company for a little while without the biological clock pressure of starting a family right away.

3. Who got married at the last wedding that you attended?
We did... our wedding was the last one I went to.

4. Do you enjoy weddings and receptions?
Depends... I really enjoy weddings when I know the couple well. I generally enjoy the wedding ceremony regardless... with that being said, many receptions are just flat out awkward. I don't necessarily enjoy being in a room with 500 other people that don't know each other... especially when you are seat assigned at a table of people that you have nothing in common with.

5. Have you cried at a wedding?
Yes... at my sister's wedding and I got a little misty eyed at my own. ;)

6. Would you prefer a lavish event or a intimate ceremony?
Intimate ceremony... there is no better way to celebrate such an important decision and event than with the company of those whom you are closest to.

7. Have you ever been in some one’s wedding party? If yes, do tell.
I was the maid of honor in my sister's wedding... 8 years ago. I enjoyed every minute of the planning and participating in my role as maid of honor. However, I can understand how that role would be "less than exciting" if you are a bridesmaid in a very large wedding party or are not super close to the bride.

8. Does a wedding make you happy and sentimental or grouchy and skeptical?
If it is ridiculously apparent that the couple are joyously in love, meant-to-be soul mates... then I am overjoyed and happy. If it is a wedding where the couple is just taking "the next step"... then I suppose I am a little skeptical and saddened for them.

9. Why do you think our divorce rate is so high?
Because it is socially acceptable in our society to give up, trade in, trade up, quit and move on when we are no longer "happy". We have lost our value in "hard work" especially when it comes to relationships. As soon as there is trouble... we flee instead of fight. We put our own happiness before that of our family... and make decisions based on how we feel instead of what we know to be the right decision. (I am aware that divorce is necessary in certain situations... IE abuse, cheating, etc) I think the prevalence of divorce allows people to view it as an "option" and feel as though there is always a way out, should they change their mind at any time after they say "I do". Accordingly, I feel that many marriages (especially young marriages) are not carefully considered or fully understood as to the weight of "until death do you part". If divorce was made illegal and no longer an option (not that doing so wouldn't cause a plethora of even bigger problems... but just hypothetically)... I think the percentage of marriages would drop dramatically as people would really have to consider the permanency and certainty of their decision. Just sayin'.

Visit the Saturday 9 to see more of this meme. That is all. ;)