When we think about weddings it seems we automatically think big. We think grandeur, we think elaborate buildings and stunning locations; we think of the classic Prince and Princess wedding. More and more though that attitude is changing; brides aren’t necessarily dreaming of being married in some grand castle, in fact a lot of brides I’ve spoken to have actually told me something I really didn’t expect… that they ideally wanted to get married at home.
The more I thought about it the more I realised that maybe there is something in that idea. A wedding was symbolically the day that the responsibility for looking after your daughter was passed on to a suitable gentleman, the day you would leave the family home and go and live for the first time with somebody else. Those ideas might be somewhat outdated but there is something in the idea of tying the home where you grew up into the wedding. Holding the event itself there may be impossible due to licensing laws and most houses aren’t big enough to house the reception (although marquees in the garden may be an option) but there is one way to tie those family home memories in: getting ready at home. Lots of people like to get married in elaborate suites and grand locations which can be great, but there’re many reasons why getting ready at home can be a better option…let’s see whether I can persuade you (although Matt’s going to do his best to stop me!) It’s time, ladies and gentlemen, for the FRIDAY FIGHT-OUT!!
Getting Ready – Home Vs Elaborate Suite
In the Red Corner, demonstrating why rolling out of your own bed and straight into your wedding dress is a GREAT idea, she loves being in her family home so much that she barely sees her own, it’s Dom “The Tog” Bride
In the Blue Corner, thinking he would probably just get changed in the gents but suggesting the Bride needs something altogether grander on her wedding day, he’s had the same jeans on for definitely more than four days now… to be fair it’s because we’ve been staying at my parents house for longer than that… It’s Matt “The Gormless” Groom
FIGHT!
Dom: A Wedding isn’t just a coming together of two people, it’s the coming together of two families. Getting ready in your family home is a nice way of combining your past with your future and doing that symbolic “saying goodbye” to your childhood memories.
Matt: You got ready in your family home every day for most of your life, surely on your wedding day you want to do something a bit special, a bit different… it should be your perfect day and should start just as perfectly as the rest of the day.
Dom: Most couples these days have moved already moved out of their family home well before they get married, whether that be living together or in their own separate homes. As a result going back to get ready in the family home before your wedding is actually something nostalgic, and is really special to be surrounded by your family again as you were through your childhood.
Matt: I may not be the expert here but often some of the best photos of the day are the getting ready shots… seeing the bride transformed into this magical vision in front of the camera makes for some stunning imagery and doing that in an elaborate setting can surely only help the photographer to create something amazing!
Dom: Actually some of my favourite getting ready shots have been taken at the Brides home, particularly in their own childhood bedrooms! Being in a room where every object holds some real significance to the bride can make for a much more poignant and powerful image and provides a much greater emotional attachment to the photograph for bride and general viewer alike!
Matt: Part of it is going to come down to practicality: if you’re getting married near your family home then maybe getting married there makes sense, but if you’re getting married further afield or particularly if part of the wedding is taking place at a hotel where, more likely than not, you’re likely to have a grand complimentary Bridal Suite all ready for you then surely you’re going to choose to get ready there rather than just doing it at home?
FINAL REMARKS:
Dom: Your wedding day is all about emotion, family and love. Starting your day in the place that holds so many memories of your past whilst you prepare to begin your future life is just beautifully fitting. Being around your family and being somewhere so familiar can also be reassuring and help to relax you before your big day. Oh, and with props and backdrops of emotional attachment all around you you really can get some amazing photographs!
Matt: The getting ready part of the day isn’t just putting some clothes on and doing your makeup, it’s the final moments before you become somebody’s wife. It’s an important time and it should be exciting and special… doing it in grand surroundings is in keeping with the rest of the day and makes it all the more memorable. Bring your family and your bridesmaids in with you: on your wedding day surely it’s people, not objects that really matter.
If you have an opinion on the getting ready section of the day we’d love to hear it! Leave your thoughts in the comment section below or join the debate on Twitter.
