Mum's the Word

Ahh, Mom. She gives you cookies, love, care and advice. Yes, advice. Mom is always full of advice! "Look both ways before you cross the street!" "Never swim on a full stomach!" "Don't hit your brother on the head with a toy computer"... Maybe that was just my Mom. And if you lived with out a Mom, then I'm sure there was or is someone in your life that loves to give you great advice.

My question is, will you take advice from your Mom or 'advice giver' when it comes to your wedding? Especially when her "advice" translates more to her opinion on how your wedding should happen. Some of us have a Mom or Dad or Aunt or even friend who can't help but blurt their opinions about everything! When it comes to your wedding are you going to bend or are you going to be firm in your own ideas?

I will probably listen to what my Mom has to say, and take her advice or opinions in stride. I love my Mom and I think she is a smart, and creative women (can you hear the 'but'?) but I have a feeling I am going to be 'one of those' brides who will keep wedding planning to myself and my fiancee. If Mom wants me to carry daffodils and spend a small fortune on decorative tree centre pieces... then that's her advice. But it's exactly it, just advice. Advice doesn't always have to be followed!

...Except for that crossing the street thing. Mom kind of hit the nail on the head with that.

How do you tell your Mom to, well, 'butt' out? It's hard! It's hard for me to get my Mom to leave me alone about anything! I can't even begin to imagine what it's going to be life when I get married-- oh god.

I value my Mother's opinion, (as I think almost anyone does) but when it comes to the union of me and my fiancee... I think her advice may just have to take a seat on the sidelines.

What do you think?

<3 Miss Charlie

Don't Single Me Out

I've noticed lately that there seems to be some prejudice against a single woman discussing weddings. I mean, not necessarily the fact that they are talking about their own wedding-- but weddings in general. Personally, since the launch of Little Bride on the Prairie I've had people ask me flat out: "Why do you care about weddings? You're single."and "what do you know about marriage and relationships, you've been single for years!" It struck me as odd that I had to have a relationship status to incur an interest in nuptials. Even odder that I apparently know nothing of relationships just because I am in said 'singleton' state.

 Personally, I have an interest in weddings from a purely aesthetic point-of-view. Would it be different if I were in a relationship? I can't say for sure. However, I don't think I lose credibility as a Wedding Blogger just because I myself am not planning a wedding, or thinking about a long term relationship.

Of course there are women who are in relationships that enjoy researching weddings online, and maybe they do appreciate the input from another woman who is in the same stage of life-- or maybe what matters is the quality of the information, not who it is coming from.

Martyrdom of Singlehood

I think people may picture the single as a woman in-waiting. Waiting for love, waiting for courtship, dating, romance, sweep-you-off-your-feet gestures, marriage, babies, houses, you name it.

Buuuutttt I like to picture myself more as a Warrior Queen (a la Boudicca) or some sort of strong soldier of singlehood.

I am proud of my relationship status. I don't think it makes me a lesser person to admit it either. Does it make it harder to understand the concept of marriage? Well, no, not really. I have parents and they're married. My Grandparents were married, my relatives have gotten married. I have friends who are close to marriage-- I think there are a lot of resources I can draw on to make educated decisions about what constitutes a good wedding and what doesn't.

The thing is, I love weddings. I love the idea of a great party, the dress, the amazing cakes, the table settings -- maybe I'm just an event planner at heart... But really!

I will admit that yes, I probably would have more insight in to the emotional aspect of getting married if I were in a serious relationship, and the commitment it takes. (I leave that all to Miss Bee because she is a smarter lady than I).

Yeah, I do tend to enjoy the more frivolous parts of getting married (like the shoes!) but I don't think that makes less of a wedding blogger because of it.

 I think what I lack in experience I make up for in enthusiasm. You can talk my socks off about your wedding and I will listen and give you my full attention for hours. Maybe its the student in me talking, but I enjoy hearing different perspectives on The Big Day.

So talk to me! Tell me your stories! I may be single, but I appreciate the huge event in your life when you said 'I do'.

 ♥Miss Charlie