I’m a huge fan of the blog A Practical Wedding. The blog focuses on the importance of the marriage you’re creating and how to make sure weddings, above all else, reflect the love of the two people getting married.
Meg Keene, the blog’s creator, recently wrote a book, and I just finished reading it.
Image via A Practical Wedding / Photo by One Love Photo
If you are engaged, helping plan a wedding, in a serious relationship, or even just think you might want to get married at some undetermined point in the future, you should buy and read this book. There’s helpful content about logistics and how to prioritize during the planning process, but what sets it apart from other wedding planning books is that it made me think about the choices I’m making. Meg’s approach to weddings is that brides (and grooms) should choose what they want to include in their weddings because they really want those things, not because people tell them they need them.
For example, there’s an entire chapter on tradition and what a “traditional wedding” really means. Did you know that the unity candle was made up in the 1970s for a soap opera? So maybe if your mom* tells you that you HAVE to have that unity candle because “it’s traditional,” you can be better prepared to explain why you feel it’s unnecessary.
My favorite part of the book was a list of questions thought up by the APW community to ask your partner before you get married. Mr. T and I spent a random weeknight going through these questions, and it was a great evening! The questions cover every topic from religion to money to how we feel about divorce.
Even though our wedding isn’t exactly low budget, I think that we really are having a practical wedding, and this blog and book have helped me to determine what that means. It means that your marriage is the most important part of your wedding. It means that you include in the wedding only the things are important to you and your partner. It means focusing on the big picture. A practical wedding is one that you plan on your own terms, and I highly recommend this philosophy. So, go buy the book!
*For the record, my mom hates the unity candle. My mom is totally on Team Practical.
I love APW! It’s been so helpful to me in thinking about the marriage, not just the wedding. You don’t see a lot of that in bridal magazines or many wedding blogs.
This sounds great! My FI and I are running into that issue a lot, of what’s important to us vs what other people want. I’m going to seek this book out as a way to put it all in perspective, thank you!
I didn’t come across APW until recently. I am definitely going to share the site with all my newley engaged friends!
I love that book!! It’s amazing!
I love APW too and our wedding “story” was featured in the book and trust me – we were not a budget wedding either. I think you can totally be “practical” about things and spend money (if you want to). Loved the book too!
Thanks for recommendation Treasure! I also recently stumbled across APW and I think it’s a great resource for all brides!
Think the Practical Wedding blog is a must! And even after you’re married, they have some great posts on being a wife!
I’ve been an APW fan since early 2009 and 3 years later, I’m still avidly reading daily! I’m only sorry the book came out way after my wedding was said and done!
Yey! Finally a book I can actually use, rather than forking out money on books on why gold-plated napkins are “a must” for your reception!
However, do they have a section for “crazy people” – us bridezillas who are freaking out about perfecting every detail, despite their wedding being still two years away?!
Yay for all the Team Practical Bees!
@chrispygal – That’s so cool that you were in the book!
Mrs. Treasure, Chicago Age and Occupation: 24, Law Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Equity Analyst Engagement Date: July 30, 2011 Wedding Date: September 2012 Venue: Saint James Chapel at Quigley Prep/Murphy Auditorium About Me: I was born and raised in Indiana, but now live in sweet home Chicago. I'm a third-year law student and aspiring trial lawyer, which means Mr. T never wins an argument. Other than Mr. T, I love singing, exploring the Chicago restaurant scene, and Notre Dame football. We met in a musical (just like my parents!) and after 4 years together, we are excited to be planning our urban "destination" wedding.
I pass the book along to all newly engaged friends.
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