I'm getting married on Saturday. I'm wearing white, although originally I'd planned on wearing red (I just couldn't find a red dress I really liked and I got this one from a vintage shop and I was bored of looking at and thinking about dresses). I'm not being given away, I'm not changing my surname, and I'm giving a speech (and so is my sister, who would have given the speech even if my dad was still alive because he would have found it too much).

Originally I wasn't going to wear a wedding ring, but then I found one that I actually really like and so will probably wear it most of the time (though I really think my relationship is my business and nobody else's). All in all, I can't really think of anything that's un-feminist about my wedding. Possibly the dress, but since it's the only time in my life I get to wander around looking quite that ludicrous whilst everyone cries and tells me how lovely I look (at least they'd better!) it was too good an opportunity to pass up on.

Posted by: Shinykatie | July 21, 2008 4:40 PM

I'm also wearing white, mainly because it's the most exciting part of the traditional aspect for me. I ignore its meaning and am going to enjoy being the centre of attention for the right reasons. I am giving a speech (my father will speak briefly but he hates public speaking) and we've ensured the vows don't have any one-sided elements.

In a traditional Greek service, a woman can be best 'man', and when the line about obeying the man is read out, she stamps on his foot... We're having a (pardon the pun) unorthodox Greek-Jewish service so in all elements we'll be considered equal.

I'm wearing a ring because I think they're pretty and because it is my outward sign of my promise to Ash. Ash is wearing a ring because he wants to (I'm not sure of his reasons, to be honest, but I suspect they're pretty similar).

Surely feminism is about allowing women to make whatever choice they want? Berating them for choosing certain signs and symbols which have long ceased to stand for anything much (or even if they DO accept their meaning and have chosen to do so)... that doesn't seem so feminist to me.

Posted by: Alex | July 22, 2008 10:51 AM

The thing is, white wedding dresses aren't actually symbols of "purity and virginity" at all - it was a fashion started by Queen Victoria, and I'm pretty sure most women nowadays wear them for reasons that have nothing to do with their "purity" or otherwise. I know I did. So Gary Nunn is "protesting" against something he doesn't seem to actually know too much about.

I think, as Alex points out, that women (and men) should feel free to have whatever kind of wedding they like without being berated for it. I also think it must be pretty tiring to go through life allowing yourself to get so wound up by the personal choices other people make, but hey, he seems to be enjoying patting himself on the back for being the Best! Feminist! Ever!

Posted by: Amber | July 22, 2008 4:37 PM