The Sunday Edit

I’ve been struggling to find the right words to describe what I want to create here.

What’s the technical term for a safe, inclusive, and frankly delightful space to chat, find inspiration, and throw around ideas — not just about wedding planning, but about how we might shape the future of weddings in a wholehearted, genuinely thoughtful way? Technically, it’s probably a “blog” or “journal”… or something equally ordinary.

Surely the whole point, when it comes to planning your own once-in-a-lifetime party, is that it is not about being ordinary or characterless or following someone else's long-established rules. Surely it should only be about finding the path that will lead you to creating an utterly fabulous, truly memorable celebration of legally binding yourself to the person that you love in a way that genuinely reflects you (and perhaps, your partner). Yes, there are established rituals and expectations that come with weddings, but ultimately, this is your party.

I got married thirteen years ago. Still happily married. To be fair, I’ve had more babies than weddings. Ours was small by most standards: a wedding party of four, a meal with thirty-three of our nearest and dearest in a charming venue we had all to ourselves. We brought our own wine ~ carefully chosen and far more cost-effective ~ and were gifted a beautiful cake. I did my own flowers with buckets of locally grown blooms, and we made our invitations by hand. I wore an off-the-rack, non-traditional gown that cost a fraction of a typical wedding dress, and I still get compliments on it today. My musician brother and a talented friend provided live music we’ll never forget, and my sister-in-law did my makeup. The point wasn’t to scrimp, but to choose mindfully ~ to decide where we wanted to spend, where to compromise, and what truly mattered. I wouldn’t change a thing.

You don’t have to make the same choices I did. Nobody will ~ and that’s the beauty of it. It’s so easy to lose that truth amid the noise that has enveloped this really important and fabulous occasion. But there is simply not enough chat, in my view, about the opportunity to plan and execute your wedding in a way that is wholeheartedly about you; still undeniably fabulous; but not excessively harmful to our finances and our planet.

That’s what I’m here for.

I’m Alicia ~ founder of Sunday Soirée, lover of a good chat, and firm believer that wedding fashion (and wedding planning) can be done differently.

Welcome to The Sunday Edit.