Yes, but WHY? part 2

Okay, so I've talked about why marriage. If you haven't read it, here's the short version:

MARRIAGE = GOOD

Yes, but why the wedding?

Texas allows for a common-law marriage (it's actually called an "informal marraige" within the state); if we agree with each other to be married, live together, and represent ourselves as a married couple, in what's called the three-prong test, we're married according to Texas law. At least, until one of our mothers kills us dead.

There's always eloping; as long as we invite family, we avoid moms-killing-us syndrome. It's also cheaper, faster, less hassle all around, and there's the benefit of the built-in honeymoon (once anyone who comes along has moved along, anyway). But somone one will feel left out. Also, people are less inclined to give gifts if they didn't see it happen, I would imagine.

With the wedding, there's the buildup, there's the ceremony, there's the fantastic party, there's both pomp and circumstance and the photos for the generations to come. That's not the reason to do it, though, not the way I see it. Actually, "the way I see it" is the reason: this is for the bride. This is a whole day that's about her, like her birthday times a thousand. She's the star of this show, and the show's all day long, baby.

Here's what the meaning of the wedding ceremony is, for me: this is the day where all you people get to see my bride as I see her. This is our gift to you. Oh no, no need to thank me. *points to registry links to the left*

For more on this, check out this article on Jewish law regarding what's a lie on a bride's wedding day, and what is not.