We were absolutely stunned, my husband and I, when our daughter Emily announced she was getting married. She was only 18, after all. There was no persuading Emily to reconsider.
My mother-in-law put her through her paces:
Emily, are you expecting a baby?
No, Gran.
Emilys fiancé was only two years her senior. We sat down with his parents and agreed the wedding would be held at our house. Emily was horrified.
Thats so old-fashioned! Cant we do something a bit more up-to-date?
The arguments dragged on for ages. Eventually, we decided the reception would be at a local restaurant. Emily chose the priciest package they had. Neither we nor the grooms parents were particularly pleased.
Emily burst into tears.
We only get married once in our lives!
We took out a loan. So did the grooms parents. They bought the diamond ring Emily had her heart set on. Together, Emily and I picked out a breathtaking dress.
We hoped to take her to the registry office in our old battered Ford, but Emily wasnt having any of it.
Hire a Range Rover!
Her father tried to reason with herit was simply too expensive!
But I want it so much.
We hired the Range Rover for Emily and her soon-to-be husbands big day. When the wedding day arrived, we were worn out in both body and spirit. The whole affair cost us a small fortune. Six months later, Emily and her husband filed for divorce.
It turned out Emily simply didnt like being married. She had endless complaints about her husband.
I couldnt help but remember my own wedding day. I wore a beautiful blouse and skirt. My fiancé waited outside the registry office with a bouquet of flowers. Weve been married twenty years now, we raised a child. A lavish wedding does nothing to guarantee a happy marriage.
Its not that Im against weddings, far from it. But everything should be done in moderation. I can only hope that next time, our daughter will show more caution.
