Spring wedding trend continues to grow
Spring has sprung and wedding plans are brewing. For some, “wedding fever” hits quickly.
“We only knew each other for four weeks before I proposed,” said Kyle Heywood, a junior majoring in biology. “My dad and uncle came up with the idea to have her see a big sign on our house after hiking up the mountain. Then the idea evolved into plowing her name into the dry field behind our house. My sister and mom hiked the mountain so they could direct the people plowing over the phone.”
Even though she never said yes, things worked out well for Heywood.
“She had the binoculars on when she read it,” Heywood said. “When she put the binoculars down, I was kneeling down with the ring in my hand. She actually never said yes, but she just laughed a lot, so I assumed that meant yes. Three months later, we got married.”
Some people feel marriage should not come from being a certain age, but rather being mature enough to get married.
“I honestly don’t think there is an age limit,” said Emma Geddes, an incoming freshman majoring in marketing. “If you found the right person and you’re mature enough and responsible enough, then that’s when you should get married.”
Even though Stephanie Cottam, a former USU student, does not feel like waiting a little more time to get married is best for everyone, she is happy it worked out this way for her.
“I think it depends on the person,” Cottam said. “I’m glad I waited til I was a little older to be more independent and to experience being on my own a bit. Sometimes it works out for people when they’re younger too.”
Heywood said it is an individual’s decision when it is best for them to get married.
“It is just up to the person,” Heywood said. “Whenever they find someone they want to spend forever with, I don’t think there is a specific age that is correct.”
Nice weather and the signs of new life draws brides to have their wedding in the spring.
“I think so many people want their wedding in the spring because everything is pretty and fresh and new,” said Tiffany Young, a sophomore who is undeclared. “Spring is all about new beginnings, so why not start a new chapter of your life too?”
A major component for planning a wedding can be the season it’s planned for.
“The time of year influences color choices, a location for a reception and even food choices. The location of where I get married also affects who will attend,” Cottam said. “I picked spring because I love green. I wanted it to be bright, not cold and depressing.”
Being married throughout the summer is one reason why some couples are choosing to have a spring wedding.
“We wanted to have the whole summer to be together before school starts in the fall,” Geddes said. “May honestly was the best time for us.”
Geddes has taken a break from school this semester to have less stress while planning the wedding.
“It’s mostly been good,” Geddes said. “It can get very stressful though. I took a year off just to have a break from school. I’m going to USU in the fall.”
Weddings have elements that can be surprising for the first time wedding planner.
“I haven’t ever realized what all went into a wedding and planning it, like centerpieces, timing of pictures and setting up venues when you pick a date,” Cottam said. “It’s all new for me besides the basics.”
Choices are often made as a couple when planning a wedding, even though a common custom is for the bride’s family to pay for the wedding.
“My parents are going to pay for most of it. His mom will help for certain things, but most of it falls on my family,” Young said. “Most everyone I know that’s gotten married, the bride’s family pays more than the groom’s family. Meeting in the middle of what I like and what my fiance likes influences the wedding plans.”
Some couples find having a professional wedding planner to help with the wedding helps decrease stress throughout the planning process.
“We planned a lot of the wedding together,” Heywood said. “My cousin’s wife plans weddings, so she did a lot of it for us. She was incredible. Of course there was stress, just like any couple, but I think we were fortunate to have her help us so much.”
– haileehousley@aggiemail.usu.edu