the other side

a good friend sent me an instant message the other day - saying that she will be at my wedding ceremony, but not at my reception. i thought that what would come next would be the usual excuse - something work-related, an important family errand, or another wedding. instead, she told me quite honestly that she's a bit tired of the extra helpings of mush during wedding receptions, and that it is not a boycott of any sort... and ultimately, that it doesn't quite sync very well if you're single and you only know the bride.

we talked quite lengthily about how she feels as a single girl in a crowded reception - and it does make perfect sense. i've been to a wedding or two without aldo, and it does feel quite overwhelming - what with the bouquet toss, the roll call if you don't get on the dance floor, or the bridesmaid role. i guess for some couples, mushy programs during receptions do not seem offensive and insensitive - but for some guests, the whole relationship and happy-bubbles-everywhere is just a tad bit too much, and strikes (and maybe even pounds on) uber sensitive strings.

with all the excitement and anticipation that weddings bring, it's not very hard to forget the other side of the fence sometimes.