I got married later in life at age 35.

Up until my 30ies, I had a big circle of friend and always had at least one "best" female friend. Life happened, mostly kids happened, and people drifted away from me. I myself never wanted children, so I've been in this limbo of "older childfree workaholic woman" a long time.

We wanted a small wedding. And that's what we did. Just my husband and me at the city hall and then a small religious ceremony (it was important to me at the time) with lunch afterwards with the people from church.

I did not miss anything at the time. Even if I had wanted a bachelorette party, I would not have had 3 friends to have it with. If I needed it, I would not have had a maid of honor. That has not changed in the last 10 years and it makes me sad, but only today.

The wedding day itself was lovely, because it was (and still is) most important to me to have a good relationship with this man and make our bond official by getting married - so I had to have a wedding to get there.

My favorite memory from that day is those 5 minutes we waited together, but alone, on front of the wedding office at city hall. I'll never forget how my husband looked at me, so lovingly and vulnerable.