I never wanted a big wedding. I never wanted to wear a white

In the words of Taylor Jenkins Reid, we hear the voice of one who sought truth over tradition. She declares, “I never wanted a big wedding. I never wanted to wear a white dress or throw a bouquet.” In this confession lies the courage to resist the expectations of society, to stand apart from the rituals that have become customary. She teaches us that love need not be proven by spectacle, nor sanctified by garments and gestures, but is holy in its own right when chosen with sincerity.

The ancients, too, knew that not all unions required grandeur. In Sparta, weddings were simple, often held at night, with no lavish feasts or ornate gowns. The essence was the bond itself, not the display. So Reid’s rejection of the big wedding echoes a wisdom older than crowns and churches: that marriage is not strengthened by pageantry, but by the depth of commitment. White dresses and bouquets may please the eye, yet they are symbols, not substance.

Her words also teach the lesson of individuality. To cast aside the white dress is to refuse the illusion of purity demanded by tradition, and to claim instead the authenticity of self. To decline the bouquet toss is to deny the performance of custom, where the bride’s joy is staged for the crowd. Reid’s vision reminds us that one’s love story need not be staged for others; it must be lived for the two who vow to walk it together.

History gives us reflection in the life of Queen Victoria, who popularized the white wedding dress. Though her choice was personal, it grew into an empire-wide tradition, binding countless women after her to an image that was never their own. Reid’s words are a quiet rebellion against this inheritance, a reminder that no tradition, however venerable, must enslave the heart. True power lies in shaping one’s own ceremony according to truth, not expectation.

Therefore, let this teaching endure: the sacredness of marriage lies not in the size of the feast, nor the whiteness of the dress, nor the flight of the bouquet, but in the vow whispered between two souls. To resist the pressure of tradition is itself a heroic act, for it is the defense of authenticity against conformity. Reid’s words remind all generations that love is not measured in pageantry, but in honesty—and that the simplest of unions, if chosen freely, shines brighter than the grandest of illusions.