I am slightly horrified by this reader email that landed in my inbox recently. Do we need to send a clearer message about wedding expectations and wedding self-esteem?
Hi, Hindsight Bride,
I love your mountain wedding blog . I’m wondering:
I thought I’d use mason jars and peonies but am now reconsidering since your guest post. Would you consider antique silver mercury vases a rustic or elegant decor?
If I used them instead of mason jars to pair with periwinkle blue tablecloths and rustic tree bark slices and burlap runners would that clash? My venue has a ton of different table decor to pick from and not sure what to use to achieve a chic rustic look but with a little elegance thrown in without clashing or looking schizophrenic? Do you have any thoughts?
I would love your opinion,
N~, a mountain bride-to-be
My first response: Oh no! Go with your heart girl. It doesn’t matter what I or anybody else thinks!!!
Look, I LOVE mason jars and peonies! Seriously, I love them. Peonies are definitely classic and will remain so, and I think mason jars are well on their way to becoming classic too. And don’t get me started on wooden rounds and burlap – I love them too. Why? Because I’m a mountain girl and such things make sense to me. They make sense within the context of a mountain environment.
I also love them because they are inexpensive and are rooted in the make-do tradition of the mountains.
But here’s the real deal: Nobody but you is looking at wedding magazines and blogs. None of your wedding guests will look at your mason jars and say, “Really? Mason jars? That’s so last year! I’m leaving this instant.” They are going to look at your mason jars and burlap and say, “Oh that’s so sweet.” or “Wow, that’s different, I hadn’t seen that before.” or “That’s soooo N~!” (which is always the best.)
Here’s the other real deal: You need to do what makes sense to you and what is practical from a financial standpoint. The best thing the Hindsight Groom and I ever did was pay cash for our two weddings. We started our marriage debt-free and, after that fleeting day, were able to focus on our relationship and move forward. (OK, not entirely. I am a wedding blogger after all, so it’s still all weddings, all the time. But you know what I mean.)
The point is, this celebration is for you, your fiancee, and your family and friends. It’s not mine or any other bloggers day. It’s not your wedding vendor’s day. It’s your day. Do what makes sense to you. Peonies, mason jars, twine, burlap, whatever!
