I know a lot of time and money are spent planning a wedding (because I’m actually in the process of planning my own), but SO much has changed not only in the past 50 years, but also within the past decade.
The proposal of marriage predates ancient times (we’re talking thousands and thousands of years ago). Marriages have come quite a long ways: from uniting a male and female only for the purpose of producing offspring to lifting bans on same-sex marriages and even performing marriages between humans and animals or inanimate objects. In earlier times—biblical times—men and women would marry their cousins or siblings. Today, couples meet their significant other while attending school, parties, the work place, popular restaurants or club-like venues, and even online (which is what happened in my case).
The choice of one’s wedding depends solely upon the person(s) getting married. From lavish to limited and outrageous to ordinary, weddings vary and will continue to change through time’s revolving door. My mom’s wedding consisted of her brothers, a sister-in-law, brother-in-law, cousins, close friends, family and church members. The bridesmaids donned different pastels to form a rainbow-themed procession. She was given away by her brother and married by her father (the late Rev. J.C. Ganey) to my dad, Roger Webster. Two daughters, two grandkids and numerous pets later, the happy couple will celebrate 40 years of living happily ever after on July 19.
My sister’s fairytale wedding in 2003 was an elaborate occasion, complete with classical instruments, an a cappella song tribute to husband Scott, an ice sculpture and a horse-and-buggy exit. The church was lined wall to wall with guests, with some standing out in the foyer and down the steps. Heather, my favorite and only sibling, jokes with me now, saying, “I wasn’t able to eat at my own wedding, so I’m going to make sure that I eat at yours.” She and Scott celebrated their 12-year anniversary back in March and have the two most beautiful children (I’m a little biased).
For my wedding, I have all of these wonderful and brilliant ideas, but my problem is finding the time to sit down and decide on what ideas I want to use. Dress … check! Venue … check! Everything else … No clue! I have friends and family offering help and sending me ideas, phone numbers, websites, etc., which is awesome; however, I get so overwhelmed sometimes that I put the wedding “to-do” list on hold and just try to enjoy my weekly routines of cleaning the apartment, going to work, spending time with my fiancé and his amazing, little threenager daughter, Danielle (who is 3 going on 13, at times).
I am, however, 100 % certain about these five facts:
- I will make decisions about my wedding that I will be pleased with. Everything might not go as planned on that special day, but I am the one who will make the decisions and live with them.
- I will spend tons of money on just a one-day celebration. But, that one day is all about me and will be the only day for the rest of my life where I am all dolled up and my every whim is catered to.
- Even though it will be one of the happiest moments in my life, it will also be one of the saddest. I’ve always been Briana Webster (initials, BMW). Throughout school, college, occupations, I’ve been known as Briana Webster (sometimes Miss Webstar, Webdog and little Webbie). My father never had a son, so I was the closest thing to a son he could ever have (I was a huge tomboy growing up, still am to an extent). It will be a bittersweet moment when we are pronounced Mr. & Mrs. Hess!
- There will be dancing … Lots and lots of joyous dancing. And, of course, food!
- I have never met nor envisioned being with anyone other than my future husband-to-be, Justin. I honestly thought I would grow old, focusing on my career and living with my 6-year-old pug, Puddles, for the rest of my life in either Alabama or one of the surrounding SEC states. I had, honestly, been considering adoption on down the road if I wanted a small family of my own one day. I was content with my life, but I wasn’t happy. I had never felt true happiness in my post-adolescent years until I met him. I’m so thankful “to be stuck with him,” as he tells me. I look forward to a very blessed future together.
