tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post7563527149439841981..comments2024-03-12T01:20:45.509-06:00Comments on Anna Allen Clothing Blog: my thoughts on... weddings.Anna McClurghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02924367696371374833noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-11444140733440255072009-08-28T10:17:28.242-06:002009-08-28T10:17:28.242-06:00This is my first time reading your blog and I LOVE...This is my first time reading your blog and I LOVE this post! My husband and I did end up spending too much money on our wedding it is because we got married in the caribbean. We did this because we wanted to go somewhere special with all the people we love and make life long memories. It is probably the only time in our life we will ever have all our favorite people on vacation with us. I think weddings should be about the LOVE you and your partner share, not how big of a diamond your husband buys you. I don't have a diamond but I have a beautiful ring that fits me perfectly! Lastly, no offense, but wedding dresses are horrible now and they are still super expensive! I am all for couture or a dress that is not a wedding dress. I could continue, but I will end with saying I love your blog! Your pictues are beautiful!Cathy Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11855270213496869318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-26534301037257134892009-07-28T16:30:51.676-06:002009-07-28T16:30:51.676-06:00Hi Anna! I've never commented before, but I to...Hi Anna! I've never commented before, but I totally agree with you on this wedding thing, and just wanted to let you know. I'm in the same boat as you with all the girlfriends <i>constantly</i> going on and on about the future weddings, and no one even has a date! I'm not wedding person at all, and I know I never will be, so I get just a tad tired hearing about all the drama and who wants what, etc. (Not to say I won't get married - I want very much to be married, but not with a big wedding!)<br /><br />All the money wasted on this one day really gets my goat, too. In my mind, wouldn't it be so much better to save all that expense and be able to spend that cash later after your married, when you'll really need it?<br /><br />Anyway, don't think you're alone on this. It seems like many of us are sick of what weddings have become. :)NoirGirlhttp://caseykoester.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-13679941081683290592009-07-25T15:25:29.450-06:002009-07-25T15:25:29.450-06:00Rant away!
As a florist for 20 years, I've se...Rant away!<br /><br />As a florist for 20 years, I've seen many weddings but few marriages.<br /><br />Too many people get caught up in the planning of the party, and what to wear instead of what the reality of this event should truly be...the union of two people choosing to live their lives with love and laughter from this day forward.<br /><br />My husband and I wanted a small ceremony but once his family become involved, all hell broke loose! I stopped tallying expenses at $10,000 because it made me ill to think about the house we were going to buy getting smaller each day. Now if they were willing to pony up the cash that's one thing, but the bride's family was expected to pay for it all. And my family was poor, divorcing, and generally not into the spirit of celebrating. My husband and I paid for it ourselves with my Grandmother's help.<br /><br />In two years for our 20th, it will be done right!<br /><br />Keep up the good work!<br /><br />JenniferAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-57347273057904784652009-07-22T14:45:33.833-06:002009-07-22T14:45:33.833-06:00hi anna! this post made me smile so wide... thank ...hi anna! this post made me smile so wide... thank you for your honesty it is really refreshing. one fantasy i have is to have a super simple wedding,( if at all) then have a wonderful marriage for many many years,....and then throw down for a big loving celebration. Pretty easy to get engaged, but to stay together for 20, 30, etc. years? That deserves a party! Imagine the stories told and toasts made... I agree, its just ONE day, of what is really important: the being together and sharing every day.elenagoldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-64494309163957992942009-07-22T10:32:06.130-06:002009-07-22T10:32:06.130-06:00Heck yeah lady. I just shocked the pants off of s...Heck yeah lady. I just shocked the pants off of someone recently when I told them that my wedding dress was a $7 thrift store score. And it really is so crazy to see people, even people you wouldn't expect, adhering to traditions that in many ways make the event seem so much less personal or creative. Snoozerama!<br /><br />xo<br /><br />HHeatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06149616878637625583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-73766425284840690592009-07-22T08:06:59.087-06:002009-07-22T08:06:59.087-06:00I agree with all you have said! tee hee! :) I thin...I agree with all you have said! tee hee! :) I think if people want to stress and plan all these things, it's fine...whatever floats your boat. :)MarmeeCrafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00982043656369835684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-48847394973829353132009-07-21T20:33:35.249-06:002009-07-21T20:33:35.249-06:00You're right about Queen Victoria and the whit...You're right about Queen Victoria and the white wedding dress. I really wanted to wear a gray wedding dress for our 1840s wedding but it was impossible to find silk satin in that color so I went with Ivory. My sister just wore a gray dress from Target for $25 bucks. We got almost all of the flowers for free from a friend, my cousin was the photographer, we made our own wedding clothes, I made the wedding cake, and our caterer did it for us at cost. Talk about a bargain wedding!Chandra M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-88695719014571854262009-07-21T09:07:41.297-06:002009-07-21T09:07:41.297-06:00liz, i totally agree! and i am still so annoyed th...liz, i totally agree! and i am still so annoyed that i couldn't come to your wedding! but i'm so happy it turned out beautiful and by the pictures it looks like it was an awesome time. we will have to celebrate next time i see you (i still have cherry bounce...if it hasn't gone bad by now!!) :)Anna McClurghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02924367696371374833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-34322095891958957372009-07-21T09:00:14.323-06:002009-07-21T09:00:14.323-06:00Ok, now I have to comment on this! :) Since I just...Ok, now I have to comment on this! :) Since I just got married back in June, I really do agree with a lot that you have said. I loved my wedding, it was beautiful and more so, I am happy in my marriage with my best friend. When planning our wedding, I was more excited about our two families and closest friends all being together and having a good time! (Simply because that will probably never happen again with our families living far apart and most of our friends) So, I loved and enjoyed every second of it!<br /><br />I wasn't a detail nazi, I never understood girls that went crazy over every little thing. Mine just kinda fell into place with what I had. I also didn't want to take and take and take from my parents and use their money at my dispense. I didn't have the heart to do that to my parents. I also don't understand bride's who get on the drama queen thing and hurt their relationships in the process of their weddings. Why burn bridges with people over ONE day??? People need a reality check.<br /><br />As far as the bridesmaid dresses, I didn't think they looked like prom dresses, considering I let them pick out their own, just in the right color. I HATE the matchy look. Besides, every girl was built differently, so why enforce that awful rule of the same ugly dress? But, I love the color lilac and they all wore it.<br /><br />Anyway, I just wanted to chime in. I totally agree with what you had to say, but I loved our wedding and I had so much fun. It was well worth planning because in the end, everyone had a good time & Pat and I are happy (AFTER "the big day"). I am a sap, and I loved the showers, the bridesmaid luncheons, and the parties and the sentimental things leading up to it. Why not enjoy it? Marriage is a wonderful thing and you might as well have fun leading up to it and after it, just don't morph into a "its all about me monster" and it's perfectly fine!Elizabeth Landrumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-6051277329525705392009-07-21T08:43:39.141-06:002009-07-21T08:43:39.141-06:00it sounds like a very special day, elizabeth! i...it sounds like a very special day, elizabeth! i'm so happy for you!! btw, where did you find the wool voile?? :) and i agree, living history gave me a whole new outlook on clothing.Anna McClurghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02924367696371374833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-37606792840455751232009-07-21T08:36:08.901-06:002009-07-21T08:36:08.901-06:00PS: My dress was made out of wool voile, which was...PS: My dress was made out of wool voile, which was an AWESOME fabric. CW re-enacting has given me much respect for the temp regulation of natural fibers and the voile acted like a dream the whole day, never wrinkling and draping beautifully...Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086027193830503146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-6711149501321130772009-07-21T08:33:12.881-06:002009-07-21T08:33:12.881-06:00I just got married on Sunday and I had always want...I just got married on Sunday and I had always wanted to elope somewhere to the southwest..however...I have since learned that a wedding is not "your" day...it's everyone else's day. my mom's, Jon's mom's, Jon's day, and sometimes it's easier to compromise than to fight it for the long run...so we went with the traditional (well, traditional quaker) wedding, and a reception. I did, however, make the same observations about wedding dresses and made my own out of the best fabric I could find....<br /><br />I have to say, despite how much I was dragged kicking and screaming into wedding planning I had a lot of fun at my wedding!Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086027193830503146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-46842459594592889542009-07-20T08:59:32.016-06:002009-07-20T08:59:32.016-06:00i'd agree: i think more women tend to worry an...i'd agree: i think more women tend to worry and stress about the wedding, while not paying as much attention to the marriage. (ahem, high divorce rate these days). for me, i was ready and excited to be married, but i was less than thrilled to plan a wedding-- or stand up in front of a crowd of people. so we gave everyone one weeks notice, had a courthouse ceremony, and a big family italian dinner. we kinda had a honeymoon: we went to the desert with some friends-- i had to bring my algebra homework with me. <br /><br />** i just had to share, since i agree**<br /><br />p.s. i love how the more i get to know you, I get to liking you. We seem to have a lot in common.emilyhttp://thegoodsheep.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-48154822083979848512009-07-19T12:37:24.414-06:002009-07-19T12:37:24.414-06:00Amen Sister!Amen Sister!zarahttp://www.sevencolordays.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-72709384068017287342009-07-18T22:14:11.716-06:002009-07-18T22:14:11.716-06:00I couldn't agree more. My husband and I got ma...I couldn't agree more. My husband and I got married 5 years ago on about $3000 total, and though it followed some traditions, and yes, my gown was probably made of polyester and beads and acetate, (but I bought it for $200 on ebay and it was what I wanted at the time) I am pretty proud of the day we put together.<br /><br />My husband designed our invitations and we put them together ourselves. We were married on a friend's private property and it was gorgeous. My dad's friend's band played, and my brother and dad sat in with them, and a bunch of other people played the djembes. We put our own food together from things bought at Costco. We borrowed chairs and tables from my childhood church. A family friend married us. My "bridesmaid dresses" were matching wrap-around skirts and each person chose their own white top and shoes. I wore flip flops with my wedding dress. We made our own packets of birdseed and little boxes of wildflower seeds for each guest. <br /><br />5 years later, most of our guests still tell us ours was the best wedding they've ever been to. And I'd have to agree!Soon, Thenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15855857323371531628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-66395873865216790782009-07-18T17:54:13.472-06:002009-07-18T17:54:13.472-06:00I completely agree. My sister is getting married i...I completely agree. My sister is getting married in september and while she feels the same way about weddings, shes still making more of a fuss than I really think is needed. Weddings are supposed to be about making a promise in front of your friends and family, not about a dress, or some gifts. I love the idea of a small gathering and NOT spending thousands of dollars. and I totally agree with you on the state of current wedding gowns. So ugly! My family is norwegian and traditionally Norwegian Brides wear green dresses. I believe this is actually a Norwegian-American tradition to remind the bride of her homeland. I think that kind of tradition, than means something, is cool. This idea of tradition for the sake of tradition is just dumb. I'm so glad you wrote about this!Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16042180500149633135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-44685445798364255402009-07-18T17:05:04.019-06:002009-07-18T17:05:04.019-06:00Hey Anna.....I find your thoughts very very refres...Hey Anna.....I find your thoughts very very refreshing. I really hate weddings...for the most part. In the deep south, where i grew up...I used to call what they do...the wedding template. Same old same old routine...and with the awful band that is way too loud and you can't even sit and have a decent conversion. Hate it! I got married quite young...just short of 20 and I just went along with the flow...and did what everyone did... pretty much. But, I refused the band..and kept it pretty simple. But even now...I wish it had been even more simple. I'd rather go somewhere really special with only those closest to us and have a wonderful dinner afterwards. And OMG...the money people spend! ANd then they get into power struggles...geez...I'd so much rather take that money and find a great little house. Believe me....there are many who share your opinions on this = ) When you get married...do it in your own unique wonderful way. And BTW...I also never dreamed of my wedding either. And...when I went to look for my dress at the town's big bridal shop...I left in tears because ALL of the dresses had all the beads and sparkly things on it and that lace... =p<br />But, that's a whole other story......<br />...oh and heehee....the only wedding function/party that was under my control was my bridesmaid luncheon. I upset my mother in law because I wore jeans and was barefooted. I wanted it to be casual and told everyone so....I baked a gorgeous braided ring of bread, and it was casual and fun at our house. Without asking me...my MIL posted one of those silly notices in the paper about the luncheon and you know how they always describe what the bride-to-be wore? LOL She wrote that I had on a blue pants suit!Heide Pressenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-46376404008620162872009-07-18T14:45:14.072-06:002009-07-18T14:45:14.072-06:00Amen, Anna. I wish more and more women felt the wa...Amen, Anna. I wish more and more women felt the way some of us do about weddings. So many people lose sight of what the day is actually about - getting married. It shouldn't be started with stress, anger or lots of debt. <br /><br />I never thought my wedding day growing up until I was forced to take this stupid Adult Living class in high school. The teacher made us plan our weddings as a project. I was so furious about it that I planned the most ridiculous and expensive wedding that I could imagine. When my teacher told me the wedding I planned was absurd, I told her so was her project considering not all us are living to plan a stupid wedding. She didn't say another word to me. <br /><br />My wedding last August wasn't fancy or large. We had a full Mass because that was important to us but our reception had a picnic feel, which I wanted. We personally knew and loved everyone at our wedding. Our goal was to keep the focus on what the day was about, us getting married and not some silly fancy reception. <br /><br />I saw footage of a 1940s wedding right before the fella was shipped off. They went to the church, got married, and then they had a small picnic type backyard reception. That was my inspiration for my wedding. When I felt being pushed to do things more traditional, I would just remember that footage. :)<br /><br />-LorettaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-18389325977198481742009-07-18T06:43:07.136-06:002009-07-18T06:43:07.136-06:00I totally agree with you....at the same time I thi...I totally agree with you....at the same time I think each person has to do it their own way. I do loathe the crazy bridezillas, that's on a completely different level of nutso IMO. I've been to some beautiful weddings, full of love that clearly cost a serious amount of money that I would never in a million years feel comfortable spending.<br />I'm the youngest of 5 girls, so my family could care less what I did, but my MIL snowballed it into something big that was just NOT ME. While my Mom was sending me articles on "How to elope without pissing off your family" articles, my MIL was sending me articles on $3000 cakes and the fanciest places to have a wedding (In my MIL's defense, she only has boys and this was her first wedding). So I called it all off, told my MIL to take a little time out, regrouped and thought about it. In the end, we invited our family and closest friends to town one weekend (with about 3 weeks notice), walked out on our favorite bridge over the Charles River and our friend married us. It was us to a Tee, no fuss no waste. Just a beautiful June day, a simple dress and a lovely dinner. We loved our wedding~! You just have to be willing to push back against the industry that is The Giant Wedding Machine (and overbearing MILs). :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-26654663891091396692009-07-18T01:36:07.252-06:002009-07-18T01:36:07.252-06:00One last item ... about the silk dress. Silk is b...One last item ... about the silk dress. Silk is beautiful and wonderful (I'm a professional stitcher in the theatre), however I purposefully chose a poly because it wouldn't be wrinkly after sitting down once, though it was all lace overlay so there was little chance of lots of wrinkles. <br /><br />The friend whose photography package cost more than my wedding had a pure silk dress (the lining alone cost $1200 to give you an idea of how big that shindig was) and it rained that day and the dress was wrinkly for the rest. <br /><br />However, I do agree most of the stuff at the bridal stores is made of out the most atrocious fabric known to man. I only spent about 10 minutes in one of those David's Bridal places because I couldn't stand it.Molly W.http://www.thenewdomestic.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-28322185791348645492009-07-17T23:14:11.398-06:002009-07-17T23:14:11.398-06:00I originally found THE dress at Goodwill, a beauti...I originally found THE dress at Goodwill, a beautiful silk dream dress. And it remained THE dress until our wedding got so much larger than I had planned! Then I needed something more fitting for the occasion...more fabric in the skirt, to be exact. But, whoa, was it difficult to get a silk dress! I was really specific too, it had to be SILK...so why did the bridal shop attendants keep bringing me 'taffeta' and 'satin'? Well, finally I did find the right one, and it was silk. But it was difficult. It's sad that it's so hard to find quality in wedding dresses!<br /><br />Well, when you do get married, I hope you make your dress at least. Even if it were simple, I'm sure it would be gorgeous!Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12997514607291740440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-82037144353534608972009-07-17T22:29:57.470-06:002009-07-17T22:29:57.470-06:00I love that at this moment, you are reading The Wo...I love that at this moment, you are reading The Woman in White, or whatever the title is. :DJ.asahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10893960632618862783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-78207421642407761242009-07-17T22:06:26.969-06:002009-07-17T22:06:26.969-06:00WOW! i guess a lot of you out there think the same...WOW! i guess a lot of you out there think the same way! i was kind of afraid to put down my thoughts, because it's a touchy subject for some people. and honestly, these are just my thoughts. there's nothing that says i won't change when my time comes. if that time comes. ;) i've put together parties in the past and stressed myself out and after going through this over and over i decided the stress is not worth it. not saying i don't want to have a wedding. heck, i don't know what i'll do when/if that day comes. i just wanna have fun, really! and if you can throw a party without spending thousands upon thousands, then i think you can throw a wedding for the same. just want to encourage some of you who might be getting married or thinking about it that you should do what YOU want to do. not what a lot of magazines and media tells you. i'm telling you, corporate america sucks, but we don't all have to conform to one way. anyways, thank you all SO MUCH for adding your input. i really loved reading every one. and if you just found this and feel like writing (or want to write more on the subject) by all means, type away! :) i don't always speak my mind on this blog, because i have no idea who reads it. i've gotten myself in trouble in the past. some people took things i wrote the wrong way or customers found my blog and took offense at beliefs i had. and other crazy crap. so i try to keep these thoughts to myself for the most part. though i must say, it feels kinda good to let loose once in awhile! anyway, thanks again guys! ya'll are awesome.Anna McClurghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02924367696371374833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-29970219265859323872009-07-17T18:19:39.966-06:002009-07-17T18:19:39.966-06:00Great minds think alike! When hubby and I tied th...Great minds think alike! When hubby and I tied the knot, we knew two things: It had to be a PHENOMENAL party, but it had to be done on the super cheap. <br /><br />We had a good, old fashioned country picnic. We invited all of our friends (we're bing in community theatre, so once we invited the whole theatre group, we had over 300 guests - but we paid for everything out of our own pocket AND we did it for UNDER $3,000 - ALL of it, including our outfits!) <br /><br />We didn't use credit cards. We didn't borrow money - we saved up for it and paid everything in cash - only what we could afford. <br /><br />We roasted a pig in the back yard, made all the rest of the food ourselves - salads, baked beans, pickles and tons of fruit (invited all the women folk out the day before to help us cook and gossip - great fun!) <br /><br />I made my dress. It was fire engine red. And sparkly. Totally 1950s.<br /><br />He (and his groomsmen) all wore Elvis jumpsuits ..... and skydived into the wedding. (They're competitive skydivers). They landed in our neighbors' yard and we had the town judge officiate the ceremony as soon as they landed. The ceremony lasted 11 minutes (the perfect amount of time, if you ask me). We set up karaoke (perfect for a theatre group), ate a lot of BBQ picnicky foods in the big tent we rented and strung with a billion sparkly white lights.<br /><br />We also rented a cotton candy machine and a bounce house for the kids. I ate most of the cotton candy, tho', and we never saw any of the kids because they were playing in the bounce house all day.<br /><br />People STILL tell us our wedding was the most fun they've ever had at a marriage ceremony. I agree, but I'm kind of biased. ;-)Heather Pipernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073762742008407695.post-62069626377080982102009-07-17T17:04:07.792-06:002009-07-17T17:04:07.792-06:00I think the bridal magazines fuel a lot of the hys...I think the bridal magazines fuel a lot of the hysteria, along with the Amrican "tradition" of keeping up with the Jones's and feeling you have to meet everyone else's expectaions. I totally agree with you.Mary Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15147791473133449106noreply@blogger.com