Couples walking down the aisle ahead of Election Day are hoping politically divided guests will be able to cross the aisle and put their differences aside.
As fall weddings grow in popularity, brides and grooms across the country are worried their dream day will be ruined by outrage from their families over the Nov. 5 US vote.
To defuse potential arguments, some lovebirds are tweaking their wedding celebrations by banning alcohol and posting “no political” signs at receptions.
Katie Newell and Elijah Garinger, both 24, of Illinois, are getting married on Election Day and planning accordingly.
Fall weddings are growing in popularity, but Election Day will make a splash in 2024. ViDi Studio – Stock.adobe.com
They told The New York Times that it was one of the few days when all their loved ones could attend and the venue was accommodating.
They worried that their families would anxiously check the news during their wedding, or that their wedding would prohibit them from voting, but their biggest fear was the possibility of a headbutt. It was a possibility.
“I think there are people on both sides, but I don’t think anyone is going to cause any tremendous trouble,” Newell told the Times, optimistically.
Their solution was to not serve alcohol.
“We thought it might be a good idea to prevent fluid truth from coursing through people’s veins on Election Day,” she said.
Couples fear a politically diverse guest list will cause arguments on their big day. AFP (via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Dena Skidas, 31, and George Panagopoulos, 37, of Boston say “I do” now, two weeks after Election Day, while some guests celebrate I’m still concerned that some people may not feel like it.
“Our guest list is quite politically diverse, so my biggest concern is that no matter what the outcome of the election, there will be people at our wedding who won’t celebrate,” Skidas said. he said, expressing concern over political violence in the country. The aftermath of the election results.
But she hopes their joyous reunion will distract people from politics, at least for a few hours.
To defuse anxious political discussions, some couples are banning alcohol and implementing “politics-free zones.” Alexandre – Stock.adobe.com
But some wedding experts warn that attempts to ban political conversations may be futile.
“If Election Day is less than a week away, that may not be possible,” explained Atlanta wedding therapist Landis Bejart.
“In some cases, especially in large groups, asking people not to do something is reminding them of that.”
“There’s a lot going on in the world right now, but our weddings are all about what’s really important: love and togetherness,” said Jules Martinez Hearst, a California-based wedding etiquette expert. He recommended other words, such as “I want it to be themed around the world.”
