Growing up, most girls have this image of how they want their

The words of Elana Meyers—“Growing up, most girls have this image of how they want their wedding to be and things like that. I had none of that except for the cake I wanted, and that’s what I got. The cake was the first thing we ordered.”—speak with both simplicity and strength. They remind us that while many dream of gowns, music, or flowers, true joy is not found in fulfilling every image the world paints for us, but in holding fast to the one thing that truly delights the heart. For her, it was the cake, the symbol of sweetness and celebration, that carried the greatest meaning.

The wedding cake, though humble in comparison to vows and rituals, has long stood as a symbol of abundance, blessing, and shared joy. In ancient Rome, bread was broken over the bride’s head as a sign of prosperity; in later centuries, cakes became towers of sugar and artistry, shared among the guests as a promise of sweetness in the new life ahead. By placing the cake at the center of her preparation, Meyers was not disregarding tradition, but choosing the part of it that resonated most deeply with her spirit.

Her confession—that she had no other visions of her wedding—reveals wisdom hidden in simplicity. Many are burdened by expectations, painting grand pictures of perfection that later weigh heavily upon them. Yet Meyers shows that freedom lies in choosing only what truly matters, and letting the rest fall away. By anchoring her day in joy rather than spectacle, she found a celebration that was sincere and free of burden.

History offers us the example of Diogenes the Cynic, who rejected the trappings of wealth and ceremony, choosing instead to hold fast to what was essential. While others mocked him for his simplicity, his life became a lesson to future generations: happiness is not in having more, but in knowing what is enough. Meyers’ words echo this ancient truth: though the world urges many dreams upon us, contentment is found in recognizing the single thing that brings true delight—and claiming it.

Therefore, O listener, learn from this: the greatness of a wedding does not lie in its grandeur, but in its honesty. If your heart longs for a thousand ornaments, pursue them; if it longs only for one cake, let that be enough. For joy is not measured by how much is planned, but by how deeply the moment reflects the truth of the souls united. In simplicity, there is freedom; and in freedom, there is lasting sweetness.