Ever-changing Societal Norms

I am a firm believer in making decisions based on what you want to do and not travel down a life path that solely adheres to what your family, friends, or society expects of you. That includes my personal take on marriage. It's not that I am "un-romantic" or trying to "prove a point," it's that to me, marriage is a very personal thing between you and your partner. It should not be reserved for certain people and exclude others, and it should not be a such an ostentatious event like it always sometimes is today. In my personal opinion, if you decide to take this step in your relationship, what does a huge party of "support" from your friends, family, and people you barely know, (your mom's cousin's son that you had to invite to assuage an old family feud) have anything to do with your lifelong commitment to one another? Regardless of my opinion and thoughts on the matter, society is changing and evolving. People are now marrying later (or not at all) and having kids with friends, donors, or on their own (or again, not at all). 

via NY Mag

This article from New York Magazine, "Parties We Should Have Instead of Weddings," though not particularly insightful, is what got me thinking about all this. The author's point is that society is changing, so the typical wedding - and all of the parties and hoopla that go with them - are outdated. Why have a couple register for gifts when they've been living alone for a decade and already have the things that they need/want? 

Personally, I love the idea of having a "home warming party;" when my boyfriend and I move in together, we are going to be without the funds to buy what we really want or even need, so it would be an amazing help if our friends and family could each pitch in a little bit. Especially because we don't plan on getting married (at least in the traditional sense with a huge party). It's not like we want to hit people up for gifts all the time... It's that we'd rather have the stuff we really need when we need it. And not years down the road if and when we decide to even have a wedding celebration. All I'm saying is, I have no problem buying my friends gifts when they get married and have babies and then move again and then have another baby. But why should they have all the fun of opening gifts? Can't we throw a few parties for our life accomplishments too? 

PS... For the future,  like West Elm for many home goods ;)