Press, Recession memes, and zeitgeist shift

Lots of journalists calling us these days looking for stories on "recession weddings". (the latest was the Voice of America, the New York Daily News, and even Japanese national television). But it's hard to get them to do the story about the REAL shift in weddings - from the corporatized slick airbrushed BridesMag style to a more personal, Etsy-flavored, "artisanal" , green, eco, friends&family - d.i.y. zeitgist. The shift isn't just economical or because its CHEAPER to do your own wedding. People are changing their wedding plans to reflect changes in their own lives and outlook on life, and it's a natural shift.
Yes, it's cheaper to make your own decorations, have a wedding in the park, ask your friends to bring food, buy a vintage dress, play your own music, and source everything locally and green - but that's what we're doing now for any party. We haven't had the first wedding invitations on Twitter that I know of - but I'm sure they're out there. Along with other great ideas for saving trees, and communicating laterally. Cupcake trees and bamboo plates aren't new - and biodegradable soap bubbles and flower seeds replaced confetti long ago.

Ten years - such a difference. I DO remember the bride that showed up with 25 members of her family in the white Hummer - and the hothouse flowers, and the toxic glo-sticks and the plastic decorations. And they're still out there. But a simple, organic, natural wedding is now a norm, not an anomaly. We've gone BACK, in a way, to home and family weddings, where you know everyone who is there, and you have time to greet them and share the day with people you will see again. And the other details - the home or park setting, the simple natural food, the friends who do the music and make the cake, the handmade programs and decorations and locally-sourced details, are all OUTCOMES of the switch back to the real meaning of a wedding: declaring your private commitment to each other in a public ceremony to your family, friends and those who will continue to love and support you in the years to come. Simple. And now let's eat.

Live music for the ceremony?

Yes. With reservations. But usually much better than canned.

Ipod-driven tracks are great - but we've had some doozer mistakes (never use an antique shuffle - we got heavy metal for the bride's entrance, to everyone's amusement). We've seen grooms hiding out in a closet frantically searching I-tunes to find wedding tracks when the DJ had a hangover or dropped the files. Don't go there.

It's hard for a dj or digital sound people to see the bride when the place is full and everyone's standing up. A live musician (except keyboard or harpist) can move around and see people. Live music carries well, and is more responsive. You can adjust to babies, late ceremonies, jets flying over, and don't have to worry about batteries and dead sockets - which happened at a penthouse wedding - no juice!

Violins, brass, woodwinds, dulcimers, accordions all carry well in parks. Guitars, not so much, ditto cellos. Rain is bad for most everything - especially strings. String quartets need to sit down somewhere, as do a lot of guitarists.

Outdoor amplifiers need LONG extension cords, and don't work in parks.

Singing is good! Acapella is wonderful (or with flute or folk instruments). Live jazz or blues is good. We often have the guests hum the wedding march in the park - along with the birds and other natural sounds, it's very happy.

If you have a musical friend/relative - let THEM plan things for you. They'll work harder if you give them their own head, and list your faves, but trust their judgement. It's a wedding gift - talent from those you love.