As you read this, I’m preparing for the rehearsal dinner for the Big Day, and I couldn’t have gotten through it without endless hours of “Say Yes to the Dress,” “Bridezillas,” “Ace of Cakes,” “A Wedding Story” and “For Better or For Worse.” And the list goes on.
Who says reality shows are mindless TV? I’ve found these shows and more to be inspiration of what to do, but more importantly what NOT to do. While I did have my “Bridezilla” moments (the Man on the Couch will agree), I felt bad for the way I had acted after each one and promptly apologized. Unlike Kanye West, my apologies were sincere.
I learned not to cry if things don’t go exactly as you planned or envisioned. I learned that almost everyone has at least a few pangs of dress regret when they go for a fitting and see rows of beautiful gowns that perhaps they should have tried on.
I learned that I didn’t want an over-the-top wedding cake. I realized that no matter what happens, the Big Day is perfect no matter what. Candles can light table linens on fire, rain can dampen the ground but not spirits, and outbursts from small children are welcome, not frowned upon. After all, the end result is the same and the Man on the Couch will forever be My Man on the Couch after Saturday.
So guys, when you get tired of finding oodles of wedding shows eating up space on the DVR, when you grow weary of watching episode after episode of shows that always have the same end result — a happy walk down the aisle — and just when you think you can’t look at one more white ball gown, remember: It’s all worth it.
Helping to create the perfect Big Day is something you can hold over our heads until at least the fifth wedding anniversary. Want to watch football? Remind us of the time you brought us the box of tissues for the “Wedding Story” finale.
Don’t feel like doing dishes or taking out the trash? Recall the money you spent so that we could “Say Yes to the Dress” we fell in love with even though it was over the budget.
And to the Man on the Couch: Thank you for putting up with me and my reality TV, and here’s to many more years on the couch.