You're Getting Married!

Gail and Mozart (one of my absolute favorite couples of all time)
Photographed by Le Image Inc.

This seems so long overdue, but now that wedding season is finally winding down, the timing seems right to start a blog to record the experience of being an event coordinator, in hopes that my learnings will help those of you who are planning your own events to benefit from my own experiences.

But for my first post, I want to reflect on something that I always remind my brides when I first meet with them:

It's about the marriage, not the wedding.

Spending your savings on one day of your life seems extravagant to many, but it's not about the party, it's about what you're celebrating.

Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, says "The most important career choice you'll make in life is who you marry." But this commitment goes beyond career--marriage is the single greatest determinant of happiness in adulthood according to H. Jackson Brown, Jr. in his book "21 Suggestions for Success" where he famously states Rule #1:

"Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery."

But getting married may statistically make you more likely to be happy, regardless of the groom.
According to a report from Michigan State University released in May, married people are happier than their single counterparts. And although the report shows that while married people are not necessarily happier than they were when they were single, marriage “appears to protect against normal declines in happiness during adulthood” that happen over time.

But beyond what the scientists say, weddings are important because marriage is important.
Who you marry is important.
That you found each other matters.
That you're in love is wonderful and exciting.
And it's worth celebrating.