red we could capture “our” city in both daytime pictures and beautiful city lights pictures (if we planned our wedding around those few times of the year when all downtown lights were turned on for photo opportunities).

My future mother-in-law decided that we were too young to know what we really wanted, and set about making our lives miserable until we caved in. Instead of getting m

Back in May, I visited Colorado for the first time in my 54 years. My niece got married in Colorado, near her fianc?’s home. We stayed at a dude ranch and the festivities all took place there or at the neighboring ranch, with the beautiful mountains in the background.

This may not have been my sister’s choice for her eldest daughter’s wedding, but she was wise enough to know that the wedding was not hers. I was proud of her for that.

My niece lived in three states in the ten years prior to getting married and had friends in each of those states. Family and friends had spread out in even more states. So, the roads between the Denver and Colorado Springs airports and the dude ranch where the wedding was held were busy as guests and the wedding party arrived.

Those who arrived a few days before the wedding were able to experience branding, horseback riding, golfing and fishing. Or, if they were like me, they could just relax outdoors with the mountains in the background. Or talk to (and feed) the wild deer that roamed the property.

The major expenses for my sister were not an expensive ballroom and formal dining, but in the travel arrangements and lodgings of those participating in the wedding.

At the wedding and reception, I pondered how smart my niece was to choose a wedding location and theme that was just right for her.

My thoughts wandered back to 1973 when I was first married. My fianc? and I really wanted to be married in blue jeans standing on the observation decks overlooking Pittsburgh, PA. We figured we could capture “our” city in both daytime pictures and beautiful city lights pictures (if we planned our wedding around those few times of the year when all downtown lights were turned on for photo opportunities).

My future mother-in-law decided that we were too young to know what we really wanted, and set about making our lives miserable until we caved in. Instead of getting ma

e wedding was not hers. I was proud of her for that.

My niece lived in three states in the ten years prior to getting married and had friends in each of those states. Family and friends had spread out in even more states. So, the roads between the Denver and Colorado Springs airports and the dude ranch where the wedding was held were busy as guests and the wedding party arrived.

Those who arrived a few days before the wedding were able to experience branding, horseback riding, golfing and fishing. Or, if they were like me, they could just relax outdoors with the mountains in the background. Or talk to (and feed) the wild deer that roamed the property.

The major expenses for my sister were not an expensive ballroom and formal dining, but in the travel arrangements and lodgings of those participating in the wedding.

At the wedding and reception, I pondered how smart my niece was to choose a wedding location and theme that was just right for her.

My thoughts wandered back to 1973 when I was first married. My fianc? and I really wanted to be married in blue jeans standing on the observation decks overlooking Pittsburgh, PA. We figured we could capture “our” city in both daytime pictures and beautiful city lights pictures (if we planned our wedding around those few times of the year when all downtown lights were turned on for photo opportunities).

My future mother-in-law decided that we were too young to know what we really wanted, and set about making our lives miserable until we caved in. Instead of getting m

Those who arrived a few days before the wedding were able to experience branding, horseback riding, golfing and fishing. Or, if they were like me, they could just relax outdoors with the mountains in the background. Or talk to (and feed) the wild deer that roamed the property.

The major expenses for my sister were not an expensive ballroom and formal dining, but in the travel arrangements and lodgings of those participating in the wedding.

At the wedding and reception, I pondered how smart my niece was to choose a wedding location and theme that was just right for her.

My thoughts wandered back to 1973 when I was first married. My fianc? and I really wanted to be married in blue jeans standing on the observation decks overlooking Pittsburgh, PA. We figured we could capture “our” city in both daytime pictures and beautiful city lights pictures (if we planned our wedding around those few times of the year when all downtown lights were turned on for photo opportunities).

My future mother-in-law decided that we were too young to know what we really wanted, and set about making our lives miserable until we caved in. Instead of getting m

ngements and lodgings of those participating in the wedding.

At the wedding and reception, I pondered how smart my niece was to choose a wedding location and theme that was just right for her.

My thoughts wandered back to 1973 when I was first married. My fianc? and I really wanted to be married in blue jeans standing on the observation decks overlooking Pittsburgh, PA. We figured we could capture “our” city in both daytime pictures and beautiful city lights pictures (if we planned our wedding around those few times of the year when all downtown lights were turned on for photo opportunities).

My future mother-in-law decided that we were too young to know what we really wanted, and set about making our lives miserable until we caved in. Instead of getting m

red we could capture “our” city in both daytime pictures and beautiful city lights pictures (if we planned our wedding around those few times of the year when all downtown lights were turned on for photo opportunities).

My future mother-in-law decided that we were too young to know what we really wanted, and set about making our lives miserable until we caved in. Instead of getting married in the manner we chose, we opted for her way – formal and long dresses, tuxes, and decorations with my favorite color (purple). She won, and as I look back at that, I realize that she probably was quite instrumental in our married life not working out.

All of these thoughts crowded my mind as I relaxed in the beautiful Colorado countryside. The weather was quite cooperative. Instead of the normal cooler temperatures, we were blessed with 70’s in the daytime. It really couldn’t have been any better.

If there were glitches in the wedding, they were not evident to those not privy to the plans in advance. What was obvious was that my niece planned this wedding for herself and her new spouse to enjoy and remember as the years pass.

Weddings are the strangest events. So much prior planning takes place, then the wedding itself is finished almost in the blink of an eye. That’s why, if you are to remember anything about those vows that take no time to voice, it is important that the day be entirely yours. That means not giving in to friends and relatives whose ideas do not line up with your own. That means having the foods you want and the location you want. That means not compromising.

And if others complain a bit too loudly, just ask, “Whose wedding is it, anyway?” If it is your wedding, then you should make it unique and your very own.