I love going to other people's weddings, but I have never

In these words, Katherine Kelly speaks of a freedom rarely found in matters of marriage and tradition. She declares her joy in witnessing the unions of others, embracing their celebrations with warmth, yet she does not seek the "big white wedding" for herself. This reveals a spirit untethered by societal pressure and untouched by external expectation. Her path is one of authenticity, where love and union are defined not by grandeur, but by personal truth.

The big white wedding, so common in modern culture, has its roots in history. Its rise to prominence began with Queen Victoria, who, in 1840, wore a white gown and sparked a tradition that spread across the world. Over time, what was once a royal symbol of purity and elegance became a widespread social expectation, placing invisible weight upon countless brides. Many have felt compelled to pursue this ideal, not out of personal desire, but to satisfy family, community, or cultural norms. Katherine’s words are a quiet rebellion against this tide, a declaration that love needs no performance to be real.

Her sentiment reminds us that there is strength in choosing one’s own path, even when the world offers a script already written. In ancient times, there were those who defied ritual to protect their hearts. Consider the tale of Heloise and Abelard, whose love was so deep they forsook societal norms to be true to themselves, though their choice brought both joy and sorrow. Katherine’s choice, while not so tragic, carries the same essence: the courage to honor personal vision over collective demand.

This perspective also speaks to the diversity of love’s expressions. By celebrating other people's weddings, Katherine shows that rejecting tradition for oneself does not mean rejecting its beauty in others. It is an act of harmony — acknowledging the joy of the many while embracing the truth of the self. It teaches us that no two unions need mirror each other, for each love story is as unique as the souls who live it.

Thus, her words stand as guidance for future generations: marriage is not about fulfilling the expectations of others, but about the deep and private bond between two people. A wedding, whether humble or grand, is only as meaningful as the hearts it unites. When one is free from pressure and expectation, love becomes purer, like a river flowing in its natural course, unburdened by the stones of tradition and untouched by the hands of the crowd.