The way it should be...

You know so much of our culture is focused on love, romance, marriage, blah, blah, blah. Okay fine. (Can you tell I was watching Oprah today? Grrrr.)
Unfortunately I'm affraid that so many women my age and younger are in love with the idea of marriage with and unrealistic view of what it will be like. They really want the wedding, not the relationship. You see it all the time (I'm guily too, so I'm not judging anyone) when engaged women are blind to the issues in themselves, their man, or relationship once the ring is on the finger. They are in love with a fantasy, the idea of being "grown-up", and what our culture deems as "okay as a person because you're not single anymore."
So here's my proposal. Every woman should save up all their money (and have their parents contribute too) to have a big fancy All-About- Me party.
Have it catered. Wear a big dress. Get a photographer, a cheesecake, and have everyone bring you crazy expensive presents. Do it when you are about 22-23, right after you graduate. Celebrate you and all the wonderful things about you. Be the center of attention, and act like a princess for a day.
Get it out of your system.
Then take all of your registered things, start your new apartment, and love life, and learn about yourself
Then wait about 10 more years... and when you a finally know enough yourself, and are a complete person, you can present that to someone else who can appreciate who you are. Then get married just the two of you, with a pastor on the beach at sunset. Sigh.
:0)