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.
My favorite wedding was my high school youth worker’s wedding. It was small, intimate, and very personal. I still remember the beautiful music and the simple, laid-back approach of the ceremony.
Fave part of my wedding was when my dad walked me down the aisle. He’s my step dad and it overwhelmed me so that I started crying the moment we began our procession to the altar. *tear*
Favorite part… that’s hard! Someone told me afterward that there were butterflies floating over me and my dad while we walked down the aisle (outdoors obviously!). I thought that was really cool even though I didn’t actually see it!
Oh, and the completely random yard sale/thrift store JUNK that my hubby’s friends filled his car with as their version of decorating it!
The best wedding I ever attended was my own which was on a beautiful beach in Maui at sunset. Our families were there and it was a wonderful day.
I attended a wedding in Savannah, Ga that was held in a beautiful old Bed and Breakfast with a gorgeous courtyard.
Best part of my wedding day was that my dad was able to attend. He passed away just two weeks later.
My favorite part was realizing that we were actually married! we had actually done it and we were free to be on our own…
The best wedding, ever: The bride was so sweet and loving, and asked all of us kids to participate. Did I say sweet and loving? Then she, the bride, later safely escaped our family and remarried a real jem. She got away. And I was so happy for her!
I’m not married yet, but will be next year! I’ve been to so many weddings it’s hard to choose just one. I like when they have an anniversary dance at the receptions and it’s amazing to see how long some people have been married. I hope to be in their place someday.