Tag: wedding

Wedding bells, now what can we sell?

Wedding bells, now what can we sell?

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I always knew I wanted a small wedding party that would be filled with simple decorations and centerpieces, but I didn’t quite realize how much a wedding would cost even if I wanted it to be simple and small.

It has come to light that wedding loans have become popular, and in some cases the only option for couples, as the cost of weddings has skyrocketed.  So step aside, home loans, car loans, and student loans.  You have another loan to compete with.  The news has actually brought this to my attention more recently in these articles: Wedding Costs Skyrocket and Wedding Loans.  Not only that, but I have come to realize how many people so freely share their opinions once I got engaged to my fiancé.  People asked the first week if we had set a date as if fast-forwarding us through time.  While planning a wedding is a fun adventure it can also be overwhelming.  Everyone has an opinion on something, but sometimes you have to remember that you won’t be able to please everyone on your wedding day.  The more I think about it the more those words ring true not only with weddings, but with life!  While this blog post focuses on depicting the greed within the wedding industry, it by no means is meant to make anyone feel guilty about their own wedding, values, or choices.

The wedding industry has become one of the biggest industries filled with overpriced products and services that many people choose to buy.  From the venue to the photography to the catering and wedding dress, a wedding can quickly turn into the equivalent of buying a car, putting a down payment on a house, or traveling the world.

As I plan my own wedding or choose to elope I am finding it even more difficult to understand and stomach the costs associated with a wedding.  I live in small, rural America and even so it has been exceptionally difficult to find an affordable venue to host my special day.  A special day that I hope emphasizes simplicity, love, and beautiful memories for my guests. The first venue I looked at was $2,500 and that was actually with a fifty percent discount since I am getting married in March, which is often considered an off-season month.  I continued looking because this was higher than I wanted to spend.  I went on to look at others that charged $1,800, $4,600, and $1,000.

While a wedding is a very special day and in my opinion should be celebrated, it is ultimately about two people falling in love. For me personally, it isn’t about a grandiose reception, being in the spotlight (because I don’t like that), or spending an exorbitant amount of money for a one day event that may last 4 to 6 hours.  This is precisely what the wedding industry wants us to think and believe, and what they hope we will buy into (literally by forking out thousands upon thousands of dollars). That just isn’t who I am or what I stand for.  Don’t get me wrong I love gazing upon beautiful wedding pictures of close friends, family, or even strangers –  I enjoy their pretty flowers, and love seeing different color schemes, centerpieces, and wedding decor.  I am most certainly not here to judge the weddings of others or how much someone else chooses to spend on their special day.  Each person views and values a wedding differently.

However, I am finding it difficult to spend close to 10k or more on my own wedding, which is approximately what it costs for an average, normal ceremony and reception.  It also means you must budget well and cut corners when possible.  It concerns me mostly because there are so many people in the world that could use the money that are fighting to survive, charities doing phenomenal work all around the world, an endless number of places I would love to visit to learn about other cultures, including India to learn more about my own.  Hence, I am finding it incredibly difficult to overindulge myself (even on my wedding day).  How can I justify in my head spending so much on one day?

So am I eloping or throwing a small, non-traditional reception?  Only time will tell, but one thing is certain, if I find 10k is the best I can do to throw a small, non-traditional reception then I will elope and cherish the love I am celebrating.  That money can be used more productively based on my values and morals.  That’s because I know myself well enough that I would look back and feel bothered that I spent 10k for a one day, 4 to 6 hour reception that was really about two people going on an adventure called life together.  So if I host a reception you can guarantee it will be a very budgeted occasion that doesn’t overlook my values.

You just learned more about me than my website, Facebook page, or even meeting me in person may show.  One thing is for sure, I am luckier than I can even begin to imagine because I am able to consider whether I want to host a reception or elope.  It makes me more blessed than a lot of people in this world and for that I feel grateful for the life I get to live.  My advice is to be wise about what you choose is best and enjoy the adventure.

Feel free to let me know how you feel about the wedding industry.  How have you seen it change or evolve over the last decade, or since you got married?

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

You’ll only regret the workouts you don’t do!

You’ll only regret the workouts you don’t do!

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We all have days when we feel unmotivated, don’t want to workout, feel lazy, want to take a nap, or just want to do other things, but on those days it is important to still do some type of workout, whether it be a short one or long one, cardio or yoga, or a quick run.  Sometimes thinking about my favorite person who inspires me such as an athlete is enough to motivate me!  If you are having one of those days, think twice before you skip your workout and remember all the positives of a great workout, including the reasons below!

     100 Reasons to Exercise Now (Courtesy of Pinterest)

  1. Because it makes you feel confident
  2. Because it helps you get stronger
  3. Because exercise helps combat depression
  4. Because you’ll feel proud of yourself
  5. Because you have goals you want to reach
  6. Because you’ll feel bad if you don’t
  7. Because you want to move forward, not backward
  8. Because it burns more calories than not working out
  9. Because it improves your heart health
  10. Because you want a great butt
  11. Because it prevents diabetes
  12. Because you want to be a good example to your kids
  13. Because you want to feel good in your clothes
  14. Because it reduces your risk of cancer
  15. Because your body was made to move
  16. Because you want to be an athlete
  17. Because you want to look better
  18. Because it lifts your mood
  19. Because you want to stand taller
  20. Because it reduces back pain
  21. Because it feels good
  22. Because it makes you feel accomplished
  23. Because you spend most of your day on your butt
  24. Because swimsuit season is always coming
  25. Because strong is the new skinny
  26. Because dieting only works so much
  27. Because it strengthens your bones, too
  28. Because it helps you lose weight
  29. Because it allows you to eat more food
  30. Because it’s the best way to spend “me” time
  31. Because it helps you de-stress
  32. Because it’s cheaper than therapy
  33. Because you want a strong core
  34. Because you want to take care for yourself
  35. Because you take pride in your body
  36. Because it strengthens your legs
  37. Because it helps your clothes fit better
  38. Because you want to push yourself
  39. Because you are capable of more than you ever imagined
  40. Because moving your body feels good
  41. Because it keeps your mind sharp
  42. Because it helps you beat belly bloat
  43. Because it helps you sleep better at night
  44. Because it gives you energy
  45. Because you want to stay healthy as you age
  46. Because you want to look younger
  47. Because you want toned arms
  48. Because it improves your balance
  49. Because it burns off last night’s dessert
  50. Because it boosts your immune system
  51. Because sweat is sexy
  52. Because you want to live longer
  53. Because you want to get better at your game
  54. Because you want to catch someone’s eye
  55. Because exercisers earn more money
  56. Because you’re more likely to eat better when you exercise
  57. Because you want to shave time off your running pace
  58. Because you want to breathe easier
  59. Because you want to see the scale drop
  60. Because exercise improves your sex life
  61. Because you are worth it
  62. Because being fit makes everything in life better
  63. Because you promised yourself that you would
  64. Because you deserve a better life
  65. Because it’ll help you drink more water
  66. Because you want to do real push-ups
  67. Because it reduces your health care costs
  68. Because you’ll miss fewer days of work
  69. Because you want to create a new future for yourself
  70. Because it’ll help you like what you see in the mirror
  71. Because it makes clothing shopping more fun
  72. Because you want to look and feel incredible
  73. Because exercising can be fun
  74. Because it’ll give your skin a glow
  75. Because it’s a good way to spend time with your friends
  76. Because it’ll help you prevent the middle-age spread
  77. Because it reduces your blood pressure
  78. Because you don’t want to let yourself go
  79. Because you don’t want to squeeze into an airplane or rollercoaster seat
  80. Because it strengthens your spirit
  81. Because it’s a cheap way to entertain yourself
  82. Because you’ll be able to reward yourself
  83. Because you need a reason to wear those new workout clothes
  84. Because you’re tired of being tired
  85. Because not working out is not going to get you very far
  86. Because it’s a great way to spend time outside
  87. Because you made a commitment to yourself
  88. Because you’re tired of starting over
  89. Because there will always be another wedding, vacation or reunion
  90. Because you’re not a quitter
  91. Because it improves your cholesterol
  92. Because it boosts your metabolism
  93. Because it prevents age-related muscle loss
  94. Because if you can do this, you can do anything
  95. Because a fit body is a healthy body
  96. Because it beats sitting on the couch
  97. Because  everyone has at least 10 minutes to spare
  98. Because you want to be stronger than your excuses
  99. Because not working out isn’t working out for you
  100. Because the only workout you ever regret is the one you skip

Now, GO WORKOUT!  You will feel much better once you do!

~jj

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