by Christyl Rivers

Created on: December 08, 2011

It is the marriage which you want to cherish, not some overly pretentious, overly priced, over the top Kardashian wedding trash.

Choosing a pre owned gown, and for that matter, a totally recycled event, is another way to cherish your love and your love's connection to the real world.  In the modern age, status and pretension often seems to threaten our connection to quality and true beauty, which is always found in the thoughtful and appreciative connections to others, and to other living things.

When you wear a gown owned, or worn by a mother, grandmother, or even a close friend, you are acknowledging your connection to them. The meaning is increased by several magnitudes.  Your savvy in realizing what is worth saving money and resources for more  also increases. Surely there is a better investment than an expensive gown, even the party itself, a giving celebration to your friends and loved ones, is bound to be more appreciated.

It is also a great statement about your taste. You can choose almost any style of dress, rather than being restricted to just what is in current vogue of the day. A few years back you could not find a wedding gown without an enormous giant bow atop the bum. Selection was limited to what was in fashion.  Shortly after that era, gowns were almost always strapless. If you love the old fashioned Victorian style, the mod of the early sixties, or the contemporary hip styles of the early 21st century, you can pick and choose whatever is personally attractive to you. Take a look on E-bay, or your local consignment store for limitless possibilities.

It is the bride's day. So the bride should not be limited to fashionista dictates of the "market". If the bride and groom want to wear spacesuits because that is their passion, or if they want to wear wild west attire, they should feel free to do so. Nonconfmity is the true liberation from "societal norms.

Being fun and creative is much more important and meaningful than having the highest priced gown in the town.

Marriage these days, especially to open minded and compassionate people, should not be dictated by those market forces that would easily have you spend $2,000 or  more on just the gown alone. Instead, be a rebel bride and not a fashion slave. You will have enormous fun, and it will be remembered by everyone.

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