She Strengthens

The Reality of Wedding Planning in the Digital Age

Growing up, I thought I knew what to expect from life’s major milestones. After all, I’d seen it all play out on screen. When I got my first period, I sent my friends on a chocolate run, because that’s what you’re supposed to do, right? Fast-forward 15 years, and I’m now engaged, but my film and TV-addled brain is struggling to reconcile reality with the romanticized versions I’ve grown accustomed to.

The Social Media Effect

Getting engaged used to be a grand affair, with face-to-face announcements, gleeful squeals, and dramatic ring reveals. Today, it’s all about updating your Facebook status and posting a ring selfie. I opted out of the latter, hoping to preserve some of that old-school magic. Instead, I got bombarded with “show me the ring” texts. No excitement, just a sea of screens waiting for my Instagram post.

Pinterest Perfection

Wedding planning used to mean flipping through glossy magazines, marking pages with post-its, and experiencing that iconic Charlotte York freak-out moment. Now, it’s all about Pinterest boards and online research. While Pinterest has been a lifesaver, I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing out on that visceral, tactile experience.

The Dress Debacle

Dress shopping was another letdown. I didn’t have that fairytale moment, where I emerged from the dressing room, glowing like a princess, with my entourage’s jaws on the floor. Instead, I sipped wine alone, scrolling through online boutiques, and stumbled upon a hidden gem from an Australian designer. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and clicked “buy.”

Registering for Reality

Even registering for gifts didn’t live up to my expectations. I envisioned a fun, gun-toting adventure with my fiancé, debating china patterns and playing “hit man” throughout the store. Instead, we sat side-by-side on the sofa, scrolling through options on Zola, an online registry, while watching “Seinfeld” reruns.

The Pressure to Perfection

It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing it right if you’re not posting pictures of cake tastings or vineyard visits. Sometimes it feels like the only way to validate your engagement is to curate a flawless social media feed. But at the end of the day, what truly matters is the love you’re about to embark on, not the likes and comments you accumulate along the way.