I admit it. I am fascinated by the show Platinum Weddings on We TV. I’m not sure if I can explain exactly why, but there’s just something about the $150,000 rehearsal dinners, bouquets of the most expensive orchids in the world, and seemingly infinite diamond necklaces that captivates my attention. Sure I’m a single twenty-something woman right now and I definitely dream of getting married someday, eventually. But I think it’s more than that. The opulence just seems to never end, but in reality it does. It’s all over in 1 day (ok maybe 1 week in the case of some of these wedding extravaganzas). Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent for 1 day. I have to wonder if it’s worth it—especially if the marriage ends in divorce. The pictures may be great, but I’d be willing to bet that couples who have reached their golden anniversaries and were married in their church with only their pastor, immediate family, and maybe a bouquet of flowers purchased from the local florist are just as content, if not more so.
This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t have nice weddings, but doesn’t there have to be a point when you focus more on the marriage than the royal violet Norwegian orchids and herb encrusted scallops that were harvested in Nova Scotia and air-lifted in for the reception? I hope so! Celebrating is important, but I’m not convinced that these platinum brides are celebrating love, family, marriage, and community.
To my future husband, whoever he may be: I don’t want a wedding that will cost as much as a mansion. A sincere and fulfilled commitment of unending love and faithfulness is all I need. But then again, I wouldn’t mind a nice ring as well!
