I Married My Middle-School Bully

Posted on February 21, 2013 by meredith

Everyone who knew me at Paulo Intermediate School knew at least two things about me: that I had big teeth (still do) and that I had a big crush on my classmate, Paul. Telling everyone I encountered about the object of my affection embarrassed Paul; he’d gone through physical puberty before his brain had a chance to catch up. In retaliation for the humiliation, and probably in an effort to inspire me to move on to the next poor, unsuspecting sixth-grader, Paul teased me mercilessly. Continue reading →

The Time Someone Died on Our Valentine’s Date

Posted on February 9, 2013 by meredith

After a Valentine’s dinner at a Chili’s when we were freshmen in college, Paul and I decided to step things up for our sophomore-year Valentine’s date. We found a more upscale restaurant in Boston that we could still afford and Paul even agreed to see the romantic comedy of my choosing at a nearby theater. But fate had other plans. Continue reading →

The 5 Wedding Questions I Get Asked All the Time

Posted on February 3, 2013 by meredith

Having worked for wedding magazines and websites and blogged about weddings, I’ve learned a few things along the way. My friends know this. My Twitter followers do, too. And because the world of weddings can be downright confusing, they often turn to me when they have a planning conundrum or an etiquette question. Some queries pop up more than others. So consider this the FAQs page on my site for brides and wedding guests. Continue reading →

The Absolute Silliest Reasons for Which I’ve Gotten Mad at My Husband

Posted on January 30, 2013 by meredith

I don’t enjoy being angry. I much prefer to talk about butterflies and sing. Truly. But when you’re with someone for 17 years, you’re bound to get mad about something. I try to limit livid responses to only Paul’s most abhorrent actions. Still, on occasion, I’ve become furious over admittedly stupid things. Here are the highlights. Continue reading →

6 Ways to Really Burn Stress on Your Honeymoon

Posted on January 22, 2013 by meredith

No, I don't suggest de-stressing by playing chess with a bad sunburn, as Paul did on our honeymoon.

Maybe you’ll be one of the lucky ones for whom wedding planning is a breeze. Dream venue? Open on your date–and for half the regular price! Family drama? Nope, both sides meet to join hands and sing Cumbaya on a monthly basis. More likely, though, there will be some friction and less-than-ideal circumstances as you plan your party. But the honeymoon you take after you get hitched is the perfect opportunity to send that stress packing, but not in the ways you’d think. Continue reading →

The One Thing I’d Never Fault a Bride for

Posted on January 15, 2013 by meredith

There are a lot of things wedding guests have every right to expect from the couple hosting the reception. That they’ll be fed enough that they don’t have to leave mid-wedding in a hunger-fueled frenzy to hit up a Burger King. That the conditions will be comfortable, as in an A/C is on if it’s 85 degrees out, the heat’s on if it’s 45, and if it’s outdoors, the venue isn’t infested with mosquitoes. That every effort will be made to show them a good time–so there’s music for listening and, with any luck, for dancing too. But there’s at least one expectation that I don’t have. Continue reading →

The Best Way to Guarantee Wedding Guests Show on Time…and One of the Meanest Things You Can Do to Them

Posted on January 7, 2013 by meredith

I love wedding ceremonies, but I wouldn’t have faulted any of our guests if they chose to skip witnessing our vows. Despite brides’ best efforts, ceremonies can be boring. (Besides, I’ve missed the temple portion of bar/bat mitzvahs–listening to someone in the middle of puberty sing in Hebrew at 10 AM on a Saturday can be downright painful.) But other couples want full attendance for the ceremony so badly, they may use this trick I just heard about to get them there. Continue reading →

Why I’d Rather Kim Kardashian Have a Baby Out of Wedlock Than Get Married Again

Posted on January 2, 2013 by meredith

I had lots of wishes for 2013: that there be an end to gun violence. That global warming slows down enough so countries stop melting. And that Kim Kardashian doesn’t get hitched again. Why do I care about that last one? A 72-day-long marriage makes the institution look like a bad joke. When I heard on the last day of 2012 (happy New Year, btw) that she was procreating with Kanye West, who by all accounts seems to be the world’s most conceited human being, my reaction was to shout “Nooooo” in slow motion, like a person just pushed from a building in a movie might. But I’m rethinking that response. Continue reading →

The Almost Bride of Sandy Hook

Posted on December 20, 2012 by meredith

I’m in the middle of re-reading an engrossing Jodi Picoult book, Nineteen Minutes. It’s about a school shooting. So on Friday, when the tragic news broke about the elementary school in Newtown, CT, I thought the novel had made me imagine that headline. Sadly, it hadn’t. And I’ve spent the past few days learning about the victims, most of whom were too-adorable-for-words six- and seven-year-olds, others brave teachers about my age. And just minutes ago, I found out one of those unlucky women was just days away of getting the best surprise of her life. Continue reading →

Lamenting the “No Spouses” Rule for Company Holiday Parties

Posted on December 10, 2012 by meredith

Last week, I asked one of Paul’s co-workers what she’s wearing to their company’s semi-formal holiday party. She went on to describe two beautiful-sounding options and asked me to help her choose. Then, she asked what I was wearing to the event. “Oh, I’m not invited,” I said sadly. Shock crossed her face. Here’s why I suspect that happened. Continue reading →