Running the risk of sounding like an asshat (which wouldn't be the first time on these boards lol), I'm not 100% sure what's the issue with Pretty Princess Days? Other than it isn't technically a wedding and people tend to call them that, I'm not really sure what the problem is, because some people do it as a means to celebrate with their families and to get something that maybe they couldn't do when they initially got married. I also understand that some people view it as doing it out of order and just using it as an excuse to dress up and get pretty and show off when if you wanted to do it, you should have done it when you got legally married. Personally, I'm on team "Do You" but eh.
I'm not really defending it, I just don't really get the animosity that there seems to be towards it, or if I'm just reading into stuff incorrectly.
Re: PPDs
I've never encountered a PPD wherein no one was lying or deceiving someone else.
That's not a pretty princess day. If you are not permitted to marry because of bigotry and hatred you at the very least get to have all the weddings you want.
And if you are lying, then you clearly know you are doing something wrong. Why would you lie to those who are supposed to be nearest and dearest to you?
http://belize.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers/marrying-in-belize.html
I don't like them because a) the lying that usually accompanies a PPD and b) it portrays to people that small, private, civil ceremonies are not good enough or "real". As I've been married twice, I have had both the large, traditional wedding and the private civil ceremony. While my first traditional wedding was gorgeous, I MUCH prefer my civil ceremony. It was more personal and, to me, reflected the true meaning of what a wedding should be. When I see posters look down on smaller civil ceremonies, it makes me feel like they are missing the point. The wedding is not about a party or being a princess, it's about the marriage. However, I am all for a nice anniversary or celebration party!!
But yeah, I don't like being lied to. It is the lying that bothers me about most PPD situations.