Hello,
I will be 50 at the time of my first wedding and I am unsure how to deal with 2 issues that are troubling me greatly. I met the man I am going to marry after waiting 46 years and turning down 3 other men. For a while there I thought I might never meet someone but now here I am at the age of 50 having my first wedding. I have 2 issues that have been troubling me and I am hoping someone can help as I want so badly to have a beautiful wedding but given these issues I am thinking of just going to a justice of the peace in my comfy jeans!
Anyway, the first issue has to do with amount of guests representing each party. My fiance, Nate, has a large family, a very large family, and while we will not be inviting all of them, we will have to invite a good chunk. My family, on the other hand, now consists of just my father. I had a small family to begin with and my mother passed on when I was 18. Also, given my age we have had other losses so literally it will just be Dad as there is no one left. There will be friends but I am not a social butterfly so there are only about 10 really close friends we will be inviting and 2 of those are friends that Nate brought to the relationship. So, my 'side' of the room during the ceremony is going to be so empty and I am feeling very self conscious about it already. What do I do? To have Nate's 'side' filled and mine empty except for my Dad, Oh I can't fathom it and it is so distressing I am thinking of just going to the local court house!
I am at such a loss here I am reaching out today to see if anyone has suggestions as to how to deal with this type of issue? I will listen to any suggestions as I do very much want to have an actual wedding to celebrate our union.
The second issue has to do with my dress...As you all know by know I am 50 and I have been struggling with what to wear. The little girl in me, actually even the big girl in me, wants to wear that beautiful wedding dress, the one we all dream of but is that OK at 50? Will I be the laughing stock? Should I wear a much toned down dress instead of an actual wedding dress Is there etiquette that defines this kind of thing?
I have to admit I know what I want to do, but the question is, is what I want to do the 'right' thing to do? How do you know and where do the rules come from if there are 'rules'?
Thank you all for reading my story I do appreciate any help you can provide.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Massachusetts