Friday
Feb272009
The Year of the Wedding
Friday, February 27, 2009 at 09:28AM As 2009 is so deemed. By me. Why? Because EVERYONE is getting married this year! Or at least it seems that way. I think it's mostly because a bunch of really important people in my life all decided to get married (or at least decided to talk about getting married) all at the same time.
It all started when a good friend from high school (hi Brooke!) announced a while ago that she'd be marrying a guy that graduated with us (hi Rob!) in June. So that's one. But at least she gave us a little time to process the information. Everyone else just decided, oh oops, hey I'm getting married this year!
In January, Robin suddenly had a ring on her finger and decided she was getting married this fall. As in THIS fall! This girl has been one of my best friends for 16 years and now she's getting married. This fall!
Then a few days after that announcement, my friend Erica's boyfriend starts asking for engagement ring advice. And two weeks ago it was official - Erica is engaged and getting married in August. She and I met in 6th grade and she has been one my best friends ever since. And she's getting married. In August!
So that's three. Three of my long-time friends getting married within five months of each other. And to top it all off, two other very significant people in my life (they shall remain nameless for now) have been talking pretty seriously about weddings and marriage as well. All this in contrast to last year when I had ZERO weddings to attend. There's something about 2009 - it's like all anyone can think about is weddings!
And I have to admit, I'm kind of getting sucked in. I am beyond excited to help Robin and Erica with their wedding plans. I bug Robin daily for details on her latest thought or idea (and offer several of my own). And even though I'm not actually in any of these weddings (they're being smart and keeping it simple), I feel like I want to be as involved as possible.
I've even been thinking about my own wedding lately. You know, the one that doesn't even exist? Yeah, I can't stop wondering what it might look like, who might be there, what I'd wear, where it would take place. And this coming from me who always planned on a no-frills elopement. Seriously, it's like a disease I've contracted. Wedding2009itis. Hopefully the symptoms clear up after this Year of the Wedding is over because man, this is so not like me!
The strangest part is that none of the five people in question were even dating the people they're marrying when I started my relationship with Brad. I spent over three years with this guy thinking I was going to marry him, and now we're not even together. A few of them even used to get discouraged about potentially never meeting the right guy, and now they're all in wonderful relationships with wonderful men and I'm the single one. (Ok not entirely single - the Giraffe is pretty frickin' cool - but you get the point).
The point is not that I regret the way things happened or that I'm jealous or in some big rush to get married. I think the point is that even after years of waiting, it can all happen SO fast. One day you're single and the next you're in a bridal shop fitting room wearing an ill-fitting white dress.
So who else is getting married? Are you?

Shannon |
15 Comments | 

Reader Comments (15)
I'm in a wedding on the 20th. The shower is tomorrow. So much to do!!!
But that's my only on this year so far. I love going to weddings. I'm excited.
I have 6 weddings this year, so far! Andy and I have officially claimed this as our "year of the weddings" as well. Besides the three that you named, my cousin Breanne is getting married, Andy's friend Jeff and my neighbor's daughter Melissa. It's crazy to me. Apparantly I married 4 years too soon :)
hee hee ... already married but i'm shooting a wedding tomorrow, does that count? ;-)
2008 was the Year of the Baby for my circle o' friends. Funny how that works.
I KNOW! everyone I know is, well, ok 3 people I know are getting married this year! Crap! and J and I were invited to all of 'em*.
*Damn, wedding gifts are expensive.
and I married 7 years too early. My sister-in-law is getting married as well.
i already got married. :) but as you were alluding to, things just happen in their own time. if i were any of these women or to impart any wedding advice: definitely keep it simple. and i ran away to get married. single best decision EVAR. it still involved the fun part of planning and very little of the stressful part.
Me eod Georgia eow meowly meowwied meowing wo meo mtete ow Meowigan meowe me'ee meew meoing meoowher wo meog. (Me and Georgia are already married according to the state of Michigan since we've been living together so long.)
I remember going through this same thing. First the weddings, then the babies.
Yes, it all depends on your life stage. Like Jess says, first weddings (our year of the wedding was 2006, our own plus three others) and now it's babies.
My best girlfriend maintained all through college that she never wanted to get married. But once her two best gfs tied the knot, as well as other friends, I think she realized there's not such a stigma to it as she thought. And now she's found a wonderful man and wedding bells are in her near future too. And she's not doing it because she feels a push from "society," she came to this decision all on her own for good reasons. It would've been totally fine if she never did get married, but it's always important to never say never - even about the baby thing Shannon ;)
Nope, I'm already married. I will tell you that the actual day is nothing like you expect or plan for. It's a whirlwind day, that's for sure. I think 2007 was the wedding year for me (including my own).
I'm with Nanette, 2008/2009 is the year of the baby for me. And turning 30 in December 2008 has it at the forefront of mine and my husband's mind especially when I tell him, "Guess what? XYZ is pregnant!"
I'm attending 6 weddings this year. 6! And like you it's with some of my oldest and closest friends.
Last year was light, but both of my sisters got married last year, so it does seem like all of my closest friends and loved ones are all making it happen now.
I thought I'd be jealous, but it just makes me hopeful that their good fortune rubs off on me since we all seem to cross major milestones together! (too bad I'm not dating anyone right now tho!)
The year of the wedding for me was in 2006. I think there were 8 weddings that year? They're still trickling in but I'll never forget that crazy year... I also got engaged that year so it made it even crazier!
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