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Saturday, July 17, 2010

Getting married in your 30's vs. 20's


I'm not just saying this because I was on the verge of becoming an old maid, but I think getting married in your 30's has a lot of advantages over getting married in your 20's. I'll admit, I have a ton of friends who happily got married in their 20's, and now have a few darling kids (some of my friends have 15 year-olds. Yikes!), and they are super happy. But I realize when I went to their weddings, I was the worst wedding guest ever because I had no idea about wedding etiquette and gifts, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

Here was what I thought.... a) That me being there was a present enough, so I never got them anything. If I did get them a gift, it was usually the cheapest thing on their registry. b) I never RSVP'd, because I figured they just knew if I was coming or not coming, and c) I never really appreciated their centerpieces, flowers or anything else. I just got really drunk if they had an open bar.

If you think about it though, for people who get married in college, or right afterwards, we are all really poor and can't rub two pennies together. It wasn't like I was trying to be cheap, but my reality was making $14,000 a year at my first television job. Now, our friends are established, most have great jobs, and are much more educated in wedding etiquette.

For our wedding, I can't believe the amazing gifts and amounts of money our friends are giving! (Now that shouldn't matter, but it really does.) Many of our friends clearly tried to give back what they know we spent per person for the wedding. I just think that's really cool and thoughtful.

To my friends who got married in their 20's, (like Jennifer McClintic-you're the first to come to mind:), I'm sorry I was the worst wedding guest ever! If you renew your vows, I'm totally getting you a great gift. (That is, if I get a great job by then. Otherwise, it looks like plastic salt and pepper shakers are comin' your way!)



3 comments:

  1. Jennifer McClinticJuly 17, 2010 at 9:25 PM

    It is so funny you wrote this because I am still working on your gift because I want it to be perfect:) If you would have gotten married ten years ago, it would have been a gift card and card but I know how wonderful marriage is and the work that goes into it-therefore, I want your gift to be something that you always remember me by. You weren't the worst wedding guest ever-I actually have the best picture of us together:) I completely agree with getting married in your thirties-more life experiences and time to know what you really like-but I wouldn't change my wedding-and I still LOVE my china-so that isn't too bad:) Love ya and hopefully my wedding gift doesn't turn into a one year anniversary gift:)

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  2. Hehe, I was hoping you would read this! You and Mike are such great examples for me and my Mike. You have a wonderful family, with the best-looking and sweetest kids, and you're so put together. Me? I'm a hot mess who will probably have to wait another 10 years to have kids :)
    Love ya!

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  3. I feel like when you wrote this post you were reading my mind. I still apologize to friends who got married years ago because I totally didn't have a clue. I use their baby gifts as an excuse for a do-over ;)

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