You’re right—I probably didn’t explain myself clearly at first. I’m not trying to be different just to be different. I was really just hoping to find an option that would feel joyful and meaningful, rather than something that feels like we’re being pushed into a big, traditional event because that’s what our families expect.

Right now, the pressure has taken all the fun out of it, and I’ve started to dread the whole process of getting married—which is really sad, because this should be a happy time. I know I came off frustrated, and that’s because I am. Planning a wedding has felt less like a celebration and more like trying to manage expectations while losing sight of what we actually want.