Bridal Party: Revisited

As usual, I haven't been doing much in the wedding planning department. {Shout out to one of my BFFs, Brittany, for getting me a bridal mag for my birthday. It's helping...a little lol}.

Anyhoo, even though I haven't really been planning, I have been thinking a lot about who I actually want to be in this thing. Long story short, someone wasn't happy with me because I asked another individual to be in my wedding and not her. I have nothing against the person I didn't ask, it's just that I don't really interact with her all that much. I don't want anyone up there just because they asked, and I said, "Okay." I want women that I actually interact with regularly {whether they're my friends, my family or Chris's family}, women that I'm close to, and women who are supportive and have my back.

So I kind of felt bad about not asking her, but now I'm kind of thinking it's my wedding. {Well, it is.} I just feel like if I don't talk to you often, why do you feel slighted if I asked someone else? If the tables were turned, I wouldn't feel that way...

Just my thoughts...what do ya'll think?

Photo from: jupiterimages.com

Cohabitating: Yay or nay

Last night, I was watching "True Life: I'm a Newlywed." One couple hadn't done anything-- they hadn't even kissed on the lips, and they wouldn't lie on the couch together at the same time {I thought it was...kind of cute, a little strange, but cute}; and they knew nothing about sex. I mean, not even the basic stuff you get in eighth grade P.E. The other couple has been in a long distance relationship for four years and only saw each other every couple of months.

So anyway, throughout the show, we see their lives, of course. We see how awkward the first couple's kiss was and how they had pretty good sex the first night...it was interesting how they reacted about the whole situation {but that's a post for another day}. In the long distance relationship, the female moved 600 miles to live with her new hubby, and she suddenly realized she didn't know anything about how he lived or his finances {which I didn't understand; they didn't discuss this at all before the marriage? But I digress...}.

This last couple really made me think about the whole issue of cohabitating or even just spending the night with your SO before marrying him/her. I know many are against it for religious/moral reasons, or they don't want to give their milk away {you know the saying}, and I know people who think it's a good idea to do so.

I don't really believe that whole "why buy the cow" thing is true in every situation. I mean, sure, you have some people who want to live with you without the commitment, but a lot of people just want to see how the other person really is and how he/she lives. You never really know someone 'til you live with them. On the other hand, I can understand if you don't want to give your partner "too much..." But if your partner was super messy or a border line hoarder, wouldn't you want to know?

Anyway, what do ya'll think? Do you think it's a good idea to cohabitate before marriage?

Support

As many of you know, I'm a freelance copywriter & blogger. I've been doing this pretty much since I graduated from college, and Chris has been with me every step of the way.

I'm not exactly where I want to be financially in my career, but I am very lucky to have someone who supports me- financially and otherwise- when I need it. He even proofreads my work, and I know he hates doing it! Lol I know many people have significant others who don't encourage their dreams and minimize their goals. I'm very happy and appreciative that Chris believes in my goals, dreams & me.

Yay for support! Lol

Photo from: gettyimages.com

Titles: Boyfriend vs. Fiancé

Boyfriend or Fiancé?

Last Monday, I went to my alma mater, GCSU, and I hung out with some friends, of course. And a lot of times when I talk about Chris, I call him my boyfriend and not fiancé. My friend, Michael was like, 'Why do you call him your boyfriend?! He's your fiancé now!'

I mean, I know, he's my fiancé, and I'm proud of that and all that mushy stuff {lol}, but sometimes, it feels like fiancé is just so much to say {weird, I know}, and I don't want to be like, "My fiancé this," and "my fiancé that." And I really don't see it as that big of a deal, I guess. Now, when we get married, I'll definitely be referring to him as hubby/husband/etc.

What do ya'll think? Should I be calling Chris my fiancé or does it matter?

P.S.- I love u, Chris : )

Is there a right time for marriage?

I was on one of my favorite websites, Nappturality, and I came across a thread in the forums. In it, they are discussing what it means to be "ready" for marriage.

I think it's a really great question. I hear so many people give their opinions of when other people will be ready for marriage, but I think the only people that can determine that are the ones in the relationship. In some relationships, I suppose you can kind of tell if the couple isn't ready {like if one of them is cheating or they fight/argue all the time, or if they're under 18}.

But I think that if both parties are mature, realize what they are getting into, do the things they need for a successful relationship {effective communication, trust, respect, etc.} and know that the other person is the person he/she wants to be with, then I say they're "ready."

What say you? What does it mean to be "ready" for marriage in your opinion? Do you think someone else can tell you you are/aren't "ready?"