Weddings, am I right? They’re supposed to be these magical, fairy-tale events with hundreds of guests and all the trimmings. But when one bride-to-be pedaled home on an iridescent purple endurance bike, her friends and family were understandably surprised. Who needs a diamond ring when you can have an engagement bike? Her parents weren’t exactly thrilled, but they’re slowly coming around. I mean, who wouldn’t want their daughter to have calves of steel on her wedding day?

This unconventional choice got the bride-to-be thinking about what she really wanted for her wedding day. She ditched the expensive wedding gown and opted for a secondhand dress instead. Wedding favors? Who needs ’em! And instead of a traditional cake, she went for a dessert table catered by a local Black-owned business. With all the money she saved, she’s renting an Airbnb for her wedding party to stay together over four days. And whatever’s left goes straight to compost. Reduce, reuse, recycle, right?

So what’s the big takeaway here? Brides-to-be, listen up. Don’t let society pressure you into spending a fortune on your wedding day. You do you. And who knows, you might just end up with a happier marriage as a result. Studies have shown that spending more money on your wedding day actually correlates with a higher likelihood of divorce. So maybe that giant diamond ring isn’t worth it after all. Sorry, De Beers.

But, hey, I’m not here to tell you what to do. It’s your wedding day, after all. But if you’re looking for something more meaningful than a shiny rock, consider breaking tradition and opting for something that truly speaks to you. Whether it’s an engagement bike or a dessert table from a local Black-owned business, there are plenty of ways to make your wedding day special without breaking the bank. And who knows, you might just end up with a Jenga tower of joy rather than a pile of debt.

Serious News: washingtonpost