Upon first glance, you wouldn’t think an occasion such as a wedding would relate to one’s artistic practice. Particularly in my case, when it feels hypocritical to even discuss the topic of weddings. To put it mildly, growing up I may have been known to roll my eyes at a tradition or two. I still do. Yet, as it’s been the theme of most of my blog posts, I think there is a connection to be made—and apparently the topics of marriage and art making are not excluded. In other words, there’s overlap between the two: imperfectly unique, a lot of work, and most importantly, filled with many highs and lows.

More specifically, planning a wedding follows the same story arc as an art project—preliminary work, research, execution and at the very end, on display for everyone to see. Yet, I realize this is the nature of most things in life. And this realization brings me comfort. To view life as an art project makes me appreciate its intricacies all the more. There will be trial and error. Your choices and tastes are individual to you. And when you mess up, you try again.

My critique of weddings has always been derived of one particular fear—a fear that somehow, by following the traditions of others, one loses themself. Yet, through the planning of my own wedding (plus, the remarkable support of my partner), I have discovered this is not the case. A wedding is an opportunity to create a union uniquely you. Just like in art as well as life, it is filled with choices. Society doesn’t make these choices, the individuals within it do. This means maintaining traditions for some and throwing out traditions for others. No matter the case, the power to craft the outcome lies with you.