Anonymous wrote:No really. I’m an introvert and much prefer visiting with my family and friends in smaller/quieter groups. And they’re always so expensive — travel and hotel and present — for me as a guest. But I love them even if I don’t like them if that makes sense? I love what they symbolize. I feel like if I could just teleport in to watch the ceremony and hug my friend/family member then teleport back out again and skip all the waiting and slightly awkward loud socializing that would be ideal. Last wedding I attended I brought my kids (they were invited since I know DCUM has feelings about this) and I actually really appreciated getting to totally skip the between ceremony and dinner 1+ hour of cocktails to take them to the playground across the street.

I maybe should add I haven’t been to too many weddings — maybe one every 2-3 years since my early 20s and I’m mid 30s now.

No really. I’m an introvert and much prefer visiting with my family and friends in smaller/quieter groups. And they’re always so expensive — travel and hotel and present — for me as a guest. But I love them even if I don’t like them if that makes sense? I love what they symbolize. I feel like if I could just teleport in to watch the ceremony and hug my friend/family member then teleport back out again and skip all the waiting and slightly awkward loud socializing that would be ideal. Last wedding I attended I brought my kids (they were invited since I know DCUM has feelings about this) and I actually really appreciated getting to totally skip the between ceremony and dinner 1+ hour of cocktails yo take them to the playground across the street.

I enjoy weddings, but that’s probably because they are pretty special — I have only been to one American wedding as an adult (invited to one more but it was a 10 hour flight and I couldn’t afford to go). DH and I had a tiny civil ceremony abroad with family only, so we don’t get reciprocal/obligation invites. Now that we can afford to attend them, it’s honestly kind of sad watching everyone we know constantly celebrate at weddings when we can’t even get on the invite list.

Hate going alone though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I'm 37 and I haven't attended a wedding since I was 19 or so. I want to elope when I find my life partner.

Do you not have friends or do you just choose not to attend weddings you're invited to? I can't imagine not showing up for friends/family.

I have only been personally invited to one wedding. I had to go out of town during that time. I'm an introvert with a small number of friends and I live far from my family of origin.

I hate the wedding template and the ridiculousness of spending 30k+ basically for what looks like a coronation of sorts. Why is she walking down an aisle in a gigantic expensive gown? Why did her 5 friends have to fly with her to Mexico together last month? WHY ARE THERE BRIDESMAIDS? Why did she have 3 showers at pricey restaurants with a caterer? Engagement pictures, wedding pictures, videos, etc? Is this a business merger of two giant corporations? Is this the launch? Why are we witnessing 5 minutes of legalese in fancy clothes? We all know they moved in together 2 years ago, have everything they need, bought a house already, what are we actually celebrating- that they now can be on one health plan? Tax status? Why have we risen above patriarchal roles yet we still play this game? The chances they will be married in five years is pretty low.
We need to start celebrating everyone's lives- throw showers for people moving out for their first job, going to school, etc. Marriage isn't an accomplishment before you are even married.

If it’s a good one. It doesn’t matter if it’s low budget or high-end, if it’s well-done and filled with love, I enjoy it. I’ve attended some bad low-end and high-end weddings and didn’t enjoy myself. Almost all of those couples are not together now.

No. I don’t like dancing.

I'm 36 and have never attended a wedding. But tbf there are a lot of social rites of passage I've never experienced.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t love them but that’s just because most weddings are out of state. For whatever reason all of my buddies married women who were raised outside of the DC area.

If my immediate friend circle, who all wine to Hs with me, only one wedding was local.

So yea, I love going to them but I don’t love dropping $2k every time.

Whatever reason, indeed.

Anonymous wrote:Eh not really but I specialize in not being very fun. I'm always really cold in the venues.

^ That said, a hundred years ago when an ex and I were traveling in India, I got pulled off the street to come attend a stranger's wedding - and my gd was the food delicious. Indian food is already my favorite food, and the food at the wedding just blew my mind. I haven't had a lot of good meals at American weddings, by and large.

And I did love my own wedding! It was very casual

Eh not really but I specialize in not being very fun. I'm always really cold in the venues.

I understand the folks who said they loved them when they were in their 20s, but not in their 40s. In your 20s, it's all your close friends getting married. In your 40s, not so much. Now that I'm in my late 50s, lots of my very close friends' kids are getting married and it's really exciting to see young people who you have known since they were born start their lives as married couples! And riding along when your best friend's daughter is planning her wedding is just priceless. I'm experiencing that right now - my best friend since we were 10. Can't wait for that wedding next year.

Big PLUS for me - DH is from India. And the BEST weddings are the Indian destination weddings that go on for four to five days in a fabulous location. The parties, the food, the clothes, the jewelry, the baraat, the locales! My goodness - can't wait for the next one!

Anonymous wrote:No, I'm 37 and I haven't attended a wedding since I was 19 or so. I want to elope when I find my life partner.

Do you not have friends or do you just choose not to attend weddings you're invited to? I can't imagine not showing up for friends/family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes or no, why or why not?

Also, how many have you attended? Mostly family or friends? Travel or not?

I love weddings! Don’t care if they are family or friends. It’s nice to see people, it’s nice to help launch a couples life. We have so few rites in our culture, it brings people together.

+1. I love them too!