Having this whole wedding situation, people should warn you how
Erica Mena, speaking with the honesty of lived experience, declared: “Having this whole wedding situation, people should warn you how stressful it is.” In these words she pulls aside the veil of romance and spectacle to reveal a truth often hidden — that the path to celebration is not always light, but heavy with burdens. For behind the beauty of flowers, music, and vows lies the weight of expectation, planning, and the endless demands of custom.
The ancients, too, knew that every feast and festival carried its strain. To host a banquet was to summon not only joy but also labor — the cooking, the arranging, the appeasing of guests. Kings and queens, though robed in splendor, often found themselves troubled by the sheer effort of preparation. Thus, Mena’s words echo through time: the wedding, meant to be a day of love, can become a crucible of worry when the heart is overwhelmed by duty and detail.
History offers us the tale of Marie Antoinette and her marriage to Louis XVI. Their wedding, though meant to unite empires, was overshadowed by grandeur so vast it brought more strain than joy. The ceremony became less about love and more about politics and display. What should have been a moment of intimacy was drowned in the noise of expectation. Mena’s reflection, though born of a modern world, shares the same wisdom: that the weight of preparation often eclipses the simplicity of union.
Yet her words also carry hope. To acknowledge the stressful nature of great events is to free oneself from illusion. It is not weakness to feel burdened, but truth — and in speaking it, others may prepare their hearts more wisely. The recognition that even joy can be heavy allows couples to approach their wedding not with naivety, but with patience, humility, and humor.
Let the generations remember: every great joy is born of labor, and every celebration carries its trials. Do not despise the stress, but see it as part of the journey. For when the day comes, and love speaks its vows, the weight is lifted, and the memory of toil fades before the beauty of union. As Erica Mena teaches, wisdom lies in being warned of the burden, so that when it comes, it may be borne with grace.
ATNguyen Thi An Thi
Weddings are often seen as magical, but Erica’s comment is a reminder that the journey leading up to the wedding day can be anything but. How much of the stress comes from the expectations placed on couples, especially women? Could we do more to make wedding planning a less stressful experience by adjusting what’s considered 'necessary' for the big day? What changes do you think could make weddings less about stress and more about celebration?
VKnguyen van kiet
Erica’s experience with wedding stress highlights an important issue that many couples face. The pressure to have a 'dream' wedding can often lead to unnecessary anxiety. What if we started normalizing the idea that weddings don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful? Do you think society's obsession with wedding perfection is making the process more stressful than it needs to be?
HMhoang mai
Erica’s quote really makes me think about how much weddings have become about perfection. The stress is often ignored because we focus so much on the big day, but in reality, it can be exhausting. How do you think we can shift the focus from having a flawless event to simply enjoying the moment? Is there a way to reduce the pressure and still make the wedding meaningful?
TTdinh thanh thien
It’s interesting how Erica points out the stress surrounding weddings, something that isn’t often talked about openly. People always show you the glamorous side, but what about the reality? Is it possible to have a wedding without all the stress, or is that part of the tradition? Do you think weddings are becoming more stressful because of societal expectations or the pressure to create a memorable event?
Aavvy
I can totally see where Erica is coming from. Weddings are supposed to be a celebration, but the pressure and stress that come with it often overshadow the joy. Why do you think society places so much importance on making the wedding perfect? Shouldn't the focus be on the marriage and the life ahead instead? Do you think people should be more open about how stressful weddings really are?