to think that people who b*tch about other people's weddings are just sad, sad, sad..

[Saveme]

..and probably jealous, and really should just shut the f*ck up.

Can you tell I'm bored of the wedding bitching that keeps popping up on here?

I have also met MI and she is not remotely bitchy, she is charming.

I'm not married but will be getting married in a year or two. But I will not be wearing a meringue and I will not be indulging in wedding histrionics. I will have a big party to celebrate or union but I won't be calling it a wedding, mainly because I see no need for an extra zero to be added on to the cost of everything just because it is a wedding.

And Saveme if you had been on mn for long you would know that Motherinferior isn't in the slightest bit bitchy, pithy perhaps but not nasty and I know who I would prefer to meet in rl.
In fact MI do you want to come to my wedding?

Divorce rate lowest for 22 years

There was a slight blip in the ongoing rise in divorce in the ONS statistics linked to there, 2 years ago, but the more recent figures show a rise again. That link is to out of date figures.

Overall there's a fairly consistent rise in divorce over the last few decades, in most/all western countries.

Carmenere, I'd love to .

I hate weddings.

If that makes me a bitter old moo or just sad sad sad, so be it.

I'm not a guestzilla and I always go along politely and ooh and ahh in the right places, but honestly my heart does not leap with glee when a wedding invitation plops onto the mat.

I think it's gross to spend thousands of pounds on such a self indulgent, ostentatious and intangible thing as a wedding.

I find the pomp and ceremony surrounding two people commiting to each other cringy.

I resent how expensive it is to go to weddings these days.

I'm not religious.

The false jollity, organised fun and obligation to have a great time feels a bit like New Years Eve.

Sorry.

Lol at meringuethingy (sp???)
Have to say that I usually have fun at weddings. Provided they are not too stiff.

I can't stand people that fuss or like fuss.

I made my own wedding dress and we had 20 friends for a big champagne lunch at a lovely hotel straignt after. We then had a party (we specified strictly no presents) for 80 at our house in the evening I did all the catering and wore jeans and an black Max Mara sweater for the evening.

Fennell - where did you get your stats?

And are they distorted by people marrying for the 2nd/3rd/4th time, whose marriages are statistically more likely to fail?

I think that bitching about weddings is my Feminist Duty

LOL MP
possibly quote of the week

Just read the statistics here in Italy: divorce rates slightly down, but less people getting married (I hope I remember well... )

My stats are from the latest figures from the ONS, for 2007 - your link is to 2006 figures. but I'll go and find the longer term figures.....

Yes, she's the queen of statistics.

Anyhow, I'm starting to wonder what all these English weddings are all about... never been to one. And judging from the amount of "lamentatio" on MN they sound rather scary....

My reasons for finding the whole thing distasteful is nothing to do with low success rates for marriage - I am all for marriage and think two people wanting to commit to one another is absolutely fantastic.

I find the peacock-feathers display aspect fairly gross, and i loathe the me-me-me squealing, but the actual act of marriage is something of which I wholeheartedly approve.

And don't get me started on wedding lists . Gifts! give us gifts! It's only fair that you should give us a gift when we have paid x per head for each of you to come to celebrate us!

I am getting mattied ( for the first time) this year and Idon't know if I will be a bridezuilla or not...hasn't happened yet, but i have a few months to go...

But I turned into a brain dead numpty three times when I got pregnant,so I can't see a temporary braindead bridezilla act bothering anyone....

married not mattied obviously

Asking permission of the father
The whole 'engagement' thing - not least the ring symbolising the purchase of the woman
Having their father give them away
Writing "Mrs" on everything
Taking husband's surname
Planning this Disney-Princess "ending" since they were 3
Blithely accepting idiotic superstitions
The creepiness of the veiled bride
The demeaning rite of throwing the bouquet
The woman being the 'pretty' star of the show
The whole rigmarole of chosing flowers / themes / favours - 'women's work' obviously
The groom carrying his bride over the threshold
State-sanctioned sex
Months of 'preparation' (meaning choosing what eyeshadow you want) without giving any attention to your erm actual relationship
The ghastly baggage of the language used: wife / husband and don't get me started on fiancee
The obscene money spent
The obligation to buy presents for the bride and groom
The making of 'sacred vows' which are utterly irrelevant in this culture and time
The mad assumption that you are going to spend your life with one person

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It's the gift lists that read like this that really make me want to cry:
Dualit 2 slot toaster with sandwich making compartment and cage £145.00 - John Lewis.

In general if there is a gift list I buy the couple a copy of Simon Schama's Power of Art - Books are never on the list - why? An oversight due to merignue/flower/seating arrangement overload I suspect.

We are going to spend money making sure that our guests have brilliant food at a gorgeous venue, free alcohol and entertainment for both adults and the children.....Gosh how selfish of us!!!!!
I will wear a big dress and I will care if it rains, but seeing as my DP nd I will have been together for almost 12 years when we wed I doubt it will ruin my life....

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