This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and WE tv.
I like to think that I wasn’t a high-maintenance bride-to-be. Oh, I had my moments – like when I couldn’t decide on an everyday china pattern and when I didn’t feel like anything in my closet was pretty enough to wear to our rehearsal dinner.
You know, major life problems. Earth-shattering events.
But in all seriousness, I loved being engaged. I loved addressing wedding invitations, writing thank-you notes – the whole deal. I tried on three wedding gowns, decided on one, and pretty much skipped out of the bridal salon. I let my friend Bubba pick out my flowers. I let Mama and her friends plan all the food. I did my own hair. And while I probably could’ve been more thorough with some of the details, I was just as married when I walked out of the church as I would’ve been if I had stressed out for the five months preceding the wedding.
I just think that I was so ready to be married that the wedding wasn’t nearly as important to me. And I have never for one second regretted that more laid-back approach.
However.
Because I was a fairly low-key bride, I am fascinated – FASCINATED – by shows like “Bridezillas.” It’s a show I’ve watched before, and it cracks me up. It’s part of WE tv’s Ultimate Wedding Sunday (along with “My Fair Wedding,” a really sweet show about making people’s wedding-related dreams come true), and I recently got to watch a preview of an upcoming “Bridezillas” episode that features two brides-to-be named Martina and Natalie.
Now here’s the thing. Martina and Natalie are both beautiful girls. And they’re both engaged to guys who seem really kind and understanding. But what Martina and Natalie have in common is a tendency to get a little, um, wound up about wedding details, and oh, is it ever entertaining to watch. We see Martina obsess over painting an aisle runner (I seriously didn’t know that it was possible to personalize such a thing) and whether or not people are going to adhere to her “strict no-child policy” at the ceremony (and if you watch, be sure to check out Martina’s mom’s reactions to her daughter’s demands – made me laugh out loud). Natalie can’t bear the thought of giving up her maiden name and is so worried that one of her bridesmaids hasn’t picked out the right dress that she makes her try it on in the middle of a pedicure.
You know what you call that, my friends? TV GOLD.
Now that I’m a little older and (hopefully) a little wiser than I was when I walked down the aisle thirteen years ago, I wish with everything in me that I could crawl into the TV and tell Martina and Natalie that, at the end of the day, being married is way more important than having a perfect wedding. The wedding, by comparison, is easy-breezy. Marriage is work. But oh, IT IS WORTH IT. I hope Martina and Natalie will feel the same way after they’ve been married for awhile.
To celebrate the season premiere of The Ultimate Wedding Sunday on Sunday, June 6th at 9 eastern / 8 central, BlogHer and WE tv are giving away a $100 Visa gift card. If you’d like to try to win, all you have to do is answer one question:
What was your favorite part of your wedding day? And if you’re not married, then answer this: What’s the best wedding you’ve ever attended?
My favorite part? So easy.
All the people who shared the day with us. I can’t even tell you how touched I was when I walked in the sanctuary doors and saw the pews filled with people who just meant the world to us. It still makes me teary-eyed when I think about it.
Make sure you leave an accurate email address in your comment (that’s how I’ll contact the winner), and if you’d like to take advantage of four more chances to win, check out the BlogHer.com special offers page.
And as always, there are official rules for your joy and perusal.
Good luck, everybody.
Or to use a little wedding lingo: best wishes!
This giveaway is now closed.
The best part was when we high-tailed it out of there for the honeymoon! WooHoo!!!
My favorite part was my husband. Love him.
I loved our reception!
Walking down the aisle, straight into a new life, locked arm-in-arm with the man I knew I would spend the rest of my days with…Forty-five years later: no regrets! Thanks be to God.
My favorite part was the day itself. I was meant to marry this man and I couldn’t wait for it to get here. Oh, and I loved my timeless Victorian wedding dress. My daughter altered it for her wedding last year. Thanks for the chance to win.
The best wedding I ever went to was a cousins’.. outside at a marina and so beautiful and touching.
Seeing my hubby at the end of the aisle.
clarskrfun at gmail dot com
I loved our whole wedding…but my FAVORITE part was when my husband and I got in the car that drove us away from the reception. Our first moments alone as husband and wife, the very beginning of our new life together. I have such great memories of our time in the car together with all the excitement of an unknown future together.
I’m not married yet, but I absolutely love it when couples have communion at their wedding (especially communion with yummy wine and bread). To me, that’s such an important part of community that is richly layered in symbolism. It will definitely be part of my someday wedding.
My favorite was not that I paid for bridesmaid dresses and then the store closed with no warning and I lost the money, or the fact that when the florist pulled out my flowers everyone asked if they were the bridesmaid’s flowers. The whole goal was to be married and that was my favorite part.
The best wedding I ever attended was my best friend’s huge blow out wedding. They were so happy and in love and we danced all night long!
You usually hear of weddings starting late, but mine started early! By 1:55, I literally could not sit still so I told the wedding director to start. She said there were still people coming in to be seated, but I said they better hurry because we’re starting. I was so excited I practically dragged my dad running down the aisle! (And I’d run down the aisle to marry him again today)
It’s a toss up between the part where my new husband prayed over me (so sweet) and our pastor broke out in a big smile with fake Billy-Bob teeth in (hysterical).
Like others, my favorite part of our wedding was getting to share it with so many family and friends.
The best part?! When the minister was having us hold each other’s hands and was talking to us, saying “These are the hands that you will hold as you grow old together.”
Thank the Lord that I am not the only one who sits in awe at Bridezilla’s! I’m like you–my wedding was so laid back that I don’t understand who people can get so wound up.
Anyway…to answer your question: my favorite part? Our vows. We had the traditional stuff (love, honor, etc), but we also had fun stuff like, “do you promise to still love him even if he pulls the clothes out of the dryer and leaves them in a pile on the bed.” It showed that yes, we love each other, even when the silly stuff gets in the middle of it all. : )
We also sealed the deal with a kiss & a high five.
My favorite part was seeing my husband for the first time on our wedding day. He had the sweetest expression, and I was so hopeful for our future together.
We just celebrated 10 years of marriage!
Melanie
My favorite part of my wedding after being pronounced husband and wife – the deal was sealed!
: )
I loved everything about our wedding, but my grandparents surprised us with fireworks, and that was pretty amazing!
My wedding is just a few weeks away, and I can honestly say that what I’m most looking forward to are the moments in the ceremony where we will covenant with one another and with his 5 1/2 year old daughter. I take promises seriously – all of them – and I am looking forward to making vows to both of them that I know I can uphold for the rest of my life.
I really cherished the time before the wedding where I walked in to meet my groom and we prayed together (and then had our pictures done). It was such a sweet time for the two of us, and about the only time we were alone to talk for the whole day. :)
My favorite part was driving to the reception. We rode in the back of my brother-in-law’s jeep, my veil blowing everywhere, waving to everyone who were honking their horns at us.
Not married yet – but the best wedding I ever went to was for two of my friends. They had their reception at the Ballpark at Arlington (where the Rangers play). It was such a cool reception – and we had a blast.
Btw – Bridezillas is one of my guilty pleasure shows.
We had an outdoor wedding at the local arboretum, beautiful weather!
the best part..well the actual day itself since its still a year away! i CAN.NOT.WAIT especially reading all the comments!
When it was over!! I really didn’t want a wedding. I just wanted to go get married but my sister and his sister pitched such a fit, so we had a wedding. Very low key, nothing fancy and cheap! But just like you we are just as married as those that spend lots of money and have major stress. 12 years later we are still just as married.
Definitely the doors opening at the back of the church and seeing my handsome husband with a big smile on his face at the end of the aisle. I laughed and cried the whole way down!
My husband & I eloped, and my favorite memories of that day are when we went to light the unity candle & buried the wick in wax, thus having to get napkins handed to us to clean it off before it would light & when we were driving to our honeymoon cabin, the cork from our champagne shot from the backseat, hit the front windshield & whizzed by my husband’s head & I thought for a moment someone was shooting at us!
All the family there.
The best part of my wedding day was that it was spontaneous…Went to pick out a ring and while they were sizing it went home and showered and got ready to get married by a Judge at the courthouse…
cheggie@charter.net
I had really hoped our friend with an amazing voice would sing at our wedding but he was unable to, so my husband surprised me in the middle of the ceremony by singing me a song he’d written! And he’s not a songwriter (but many many thanks to his brother who is and who helped him!).
Best wedding I’ve been to: A Jewish wedding in DC. Gorgeous flowers, amazing food, fun guests and the traditional dances. So much fun to see!
My favorite part about my wedding day was sitting on the beach that morning watching them decorate my gazebo. Loved the destination wedding!
Hmmm….
Favorite part of my first wedding or my second?
Decisions, decisions….
It’s been over 20 years since my first and it didn’t end well and he passed away over 5 years ago so I think I’ll go with my favorite part of my second:
The look in his eye after he said his vows, (I still get butterflies in my stomach when I think about it). He told me with his eyes how much he loved me and wanted to be with me and that he was making a forever promise and commitment to me and my kids. That was six years ago and he shows me every day that he still means it.
Wow!
The FUNNIEST part of my wedding was when all the groomsmen sat down on the stage. Unfortunately, that story is a little long for the comments section of someone else’s blog. But the BEST part was just being married. And the cake. I’m a HUGE FAN of wedding cake.
My favorite part was walking out of the church with all our friends and family lining the sides of the sidewalk shouting bye and blowing bubbles at us as we left for our honeymoon. My niece and a friend snuck into our trunk but I was tipped off so I busted ’em! They had filled our car with rose pettles and put on a romantic CD. Such a fun day!!!
My favorite part of my wedding was when my soon to be stepdaughter, who has Down Syndrome, interrupted to the reverend to mention she had to use the bathroom… and off she and her daddy went, and we just hung out on the altar and waited. : )
I loved it when Hubby and I were standing together in front of the alter just after I’d walked to him, and we were having this little whispered excited conversation. It was just so sweet :)
Walking down the aisle with my Dad and seeing my future husband waiting for me. Second best part, driving thru a Wendy’s after the reception because we were starving! And that was 31 years ago today!
My favorite part of our wedding day was seeing everyone there to celebrate us. It meant so much. And it also made me so happy when literally EVERYONE was dancing at the reception. Like, all night long. People had so much fun and that warmed my heart.
samanthajocampen at gmail
driving away from the reception, thinking: it’s over! now we can just be married :)
I’m not married, but have attended a lot of weddings. One of the most recent weddings I attended had an outdoor reception on the lawn of our church and it was absolutely beautiful.
My favorite part was when my mom grabbed my mother in laws hand to lead her up to the unity candle.
I really would have to say my favorite wedding has to be my sister’s (not because it was my sister) or my friend Laurette’s. It was everything I believe a wedding should be — more than a wedding, it was a worship service. And it was an amazing representation of how our relationship with our significant others should mirror our relationship with Christ.
I loved my entire wedding day so very much! Highlights were roses waiting from my soon-to-be-hubby when I got to the church, the music for the ceremony, riding to the reception in the back of my Dad’s pickup (because our limo didn’t show up!), and our first dance together. Sweet, sweet memories!
My favorite part was in the limo. leaving the church on the way to the reception. It was just a few minutes to ourselves inbetween the craziness.
Best part? Not feeling my legs as I floated down the aisle on my dad’s arm, eyes locked on my husband-to-be’s face. I seriously to this day cannot figure out how I got from the sanctuary doors to the altar.
watching my dad (priest) marry my cousin and her husband.
My favorite part of my wedding was my sweet husband getting all choked up over his vows! So sweet!
After we were announced man and wife and kissed and walked down the aisle there was a crazy eruption of applause and all the people we loved most just cheered us down the aisle. It was a beautiful moment to have so many people share our happiness!
My favorite part of our wedding day was right after the ceremony when my husband and I got to spend about 15 minutes by ourselves, sampling the reception food and being together, before going out to greet all of our guests.
I had a Welsh friend read EB Browning’s “How Do I Love Thee?” and it was so beautiful! Or maybe it was when they threw open the big doors at the back of the church and the organist started playing Handel’s “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” and here I came down the aisle! It was a nice wedding, but the marriage it started was far more important.
The pastor singing the Lord’s Prayer over us as we knelt on the kneeling bench. Beautiful.
I loved my wedding day. My favorite part was dancing at the reception with my grandpa who had recently lost his leg to diabetes. :-)
When the pastor (at the height of “Who wants to be a millionaire?” craze) said “Is that your final answer?” to my hubby :-)
Favorite part of the day? Wow, it is hard to pick. One that stands out in my mind – was after the ceremony – we were in the car heading to have our pictures taken and my (brand-new) husband could not stop staring at me. He kept telling me how beautiful I looked and he was just beaming. We were both so excited to finally be married!
My favorite wedding I have ever attended was my older cousin when I was a little girl. She married into a wealthy family and her wedding was something out of a fairy tale. To 10 year old me, she was the epitome of grace and class.
Getting tongue tied when it was time to say I do.
The best part was when the ceremony was over… I was really stressed out about everything going well. Sounds silly now.
The best part of my wedding (taking place within a year) will be when my pastor prays a blessing over the 2 of us and our marriage!
The best part of my wedding was my dress.
I loved having so many wonderful people join us on our special day. It was all so fun, every single bit of it!
The best part of my wedding day was when I slipped a pair of handcuffs out from underneath my bouquet and handcuffed my husband. I did it right after the priest said ” I know pronounce you man and wife”. Our family and friends all thought it was great. My favorite photo is the look on my husband’s face when I did that. Priceless.
My favorite part of the entire day was when we were pronounced husband and wife. All of that hard work came together in that moment and made it all worth it.
Since I am not married, I would have to say my favorite wedding that I’ve attended was my friends, Matt and Kim. It was just after we had all graduated from college and it was the first time most of us had all gotten together again. We danced, sweated, and ate cake all night long!
i love all the beautiful flowers and the color in the church decoration.
The reception!! Dancing, visiting and eating with family and friends!
klbeaver64@yahoo.com
favorite part…realizing we were married! and not being able to take the smile off our faces!
erin
My favorite part was having all my family and friends there to share it with us. The other thing was the look of relief as we walked out of the church. we have a picture to capture that “Ohhhhh!!” look on both our faces.
My favorite part was my husband-to-be bawling his eyes out as I walked up the isle to “Praise Anthem”. Precious.
My favorite part of other people’s weddings is the first dance, so I’m thinking that will be at least in the top five favorite moments at my wedding in November.
The best wedding I’ve been to is my brother’s – it was great to see family and friends gathered together to celebrate!
My favorite part (like so many others) was walking down the aisle and seeing my sweet husband. The look on his face was priceless to me. Besides our own wedding (almost 18 years ago!) I have to say my sister’s wedding was the best. My husband is a pastor and he literally drove off with the notes for the ceremony on top of our car so he had to improvise a lot. It ended up being such a unique and personal ceremony! :)
My favorite part of my wedding day was locking eyes with my husband as the church doors opened and I saw him standing at the alter. Everything else just disappeared.
{And it’s been 9 years of ‘easy’…oh wait..not really…at all…and I wouldn’t change a thing :)}
So fun to think about.
My favorite part of my wedding? Humm…the cake was REALLY GOOD. Like, BEST CAKE EVER.
But, I’d have to say the best part of our wedding was actually seeing my husband’s face as I walked towards him. I will never forget those doors swinging open and seeing him at the other end of a way-too-short aisle. How I wished that aisle could have been about 100 yards longer, so that moment could have lasted!
When my hubby leaned over during the ceremony and whispered “I’ve made a huge mistake.” He was not being serious – just quoting GOB from AD. We couldn’t stop giggling.
The favorite part of my wedding was that the judge that presided was a criminal judge and her office was in the same building that housed the jail. Now back up – neither of us were in jail at the time!
Hands down, my favorite part was the surprise I pulled off for my husband. His all-time favorite movie is “Lonesome Dove” and the theme song is this gorgeous orchestral piece that starts out with just trumpet and french horn. A couple in my small group happened to play those very instruments and whipped up an arrangement of the song. They began to play it just before I walked down the aise and the look on his face was priceless! It was the most fun gift I’ve ever given someone…
The kiss.
My favorite part was seeing my man’s face when I first walked down the aisle. We were both crying…
Standing outside the church sanctuary listening to our pastor’s wife sing “How Beautiful” before the bridal party entered… then seeing my husband-to-be’s face as I walked down the aisle…
The azaleas were in full bloom…that is in my forever memory. You may kiss the bride was pretty good too!
My favorite part was probably the homily. The priest who married us, Fr. Sean was such a great guy and gave a wonderful and funny homily. I also liked the being pronounced man and wife part-hooray!
The best part of my wedding day were when it was over and it was just him and I. Just getting to be together alone. Relief. Oh and the cake was great too!
My favorite part of my wedding day was actually before…my wedding portrait. It was taken outside, in the mountains, in the middle of a waterfall (on a rock, and we laid out a white sheet to protect my dress). It turned out a beautiful picture and a GREAT memory!
Walking down the aisle and seeing my husbands face and misty eyes…oh my. It was a wonderful day!
The whole day. It was so relaxing. I read the Sat. comics, had brunch with my family, hung out at my soon-to-be ex-apartment with my roommate and friends, and then went to the church for the evening wedding. Weddings were much simpler 34 years ago.
It is still talked about as one of the most beautiful weddings people had seen. I think because of it’s simplicity.
My favorite part of my wedding day was walking down the aisle with my Dad and knowing how proud and happy he was.
My favorite part of the wedding was walking down the isle to David. We only had eyes for each other and he had the most precious look of love on his face. We celebrate 27 years tomorrow and I wouldn’t trade those years for anything!
Lots of favorites from my wedding day but I think my most favorite moment was driving away at the end of the reception with my husband! (we left everything to be undone and cleaned up by others!)
My favorite part was walking down the aisle.
It being over! I don’t like being the center of attention, and I had a lot of fun, but thank heavens I’m only planning on doing that once. Phew.
My favorite part of my wedding day was when it was over! LOL It was so stressful! But afterward we went to the hotel and had the bellhop bring up all of our gifts to the room! It was so much fun to open them in bed with champagne and strawberries! LOL
Believe it or not, my favorite part of the wedding day was before the wedding. Myself and one of our best friends and a neighbor I had known all my life all made all the flower arrangements and bouquets that morning/early afternoon from flowers I myself had grown. They were gorgeous and it was really relaxing to be working with them before the big moment!
My favorite part of our wedding day was walking down the aisle on my dad’s arm, looking at my handsome husband standing there waiting for me. Such a sweet moment.
My favorite part of my wedding day was when those church doors opened – I saw my man – & my Daddy & I nearly ran down the aisle! A mixture of nerves & being so in love I couldn’t see straight! A dear pastor friend said, “Slow down!” from the crowd. I was a laid-back bride & all I wanted was to marry that man!! And I’m happy to say that I’d still RUN to marry him today…12 beautiful years later!!
My favorite part of my wedding was, hands down, the reception and going table to table. It was so great to talk with everyone and walk hand in had with my husband!
My favorite part was when we were on our way to the honeymoon destination post-wedding and my man broke down in happy tears of what we had become. About 4 hours later we were in the ER in a hospital in a state far from hom b/c he had a kidney stone or two. Fun times!
Our hour-long drive to our hotel after the reception was over. We talked about the whole day and all of the wonderful friends & family who celebrated with us. It was such a blessing!
My favorite part of my wedding was that it was low-key and everyone had a great time.
The first thing that came to my mind was when it was over and we got in the car, we were married and it was over! :) What’s funny is I thought of what I would type before I ready any other replies so that it wouldn’t sway what I would say. After I made up my mind, then I read some and had to laugh that some others actually said the same thing! Gotta love it!