Thread by @joannachiu

I was relieved when we had to downsize our wedding. The pressure to put on a ‘perfect day’ disproportionately falls on the bride.

I wrote about why toxic wedding culture hopefully will change for good after the pandemic. thestar.com/opinion/2020/0… @TorontoStar #weddings #COVIDー19

The other day, I went to a dollar store to pick up decor for our small backyard ceremony.

I got hand sanitizer and $1.25 napkins. It felt so liberating! Here's why some couples are actually happy they're forced to have tiny weddings: thestar.com/opinion/2020/0… #COVID19 @TorontoStar

All of a sudden, the pressure to pull off a carefully orchestrated wedding to impress our guests melted away.

Instead, we’re left with a deep sense of appreciation for what truly matters.

I think this is true of other things people used to worry about. thestar.com/opinion/2020/0…

It seems that a significant number of Canadians are doing away with the concept of the big wedding entirely.

I called a Vancouver-based wedding officiant, who says all couples in the last two weeks are requesting socially distanced #elopement ceremonies. thestar.com/opinion/2020/0…

This is Joyce Tee (a nurse and a hero!) and husband on their wedding day. It was in their apartment and broadcasted to their guests on Zoom. She gives tips on how to plan the most straightforward version of a wedding ever, and why it still seemed perfect: thestar.com/opinion/2020/0…

This was the lovely set-up for their "Zoom wedding ceremony"

“We chose not to delay getting married, because we could not predict when the pandemic would come to an end. We both felt ready to start our lives together as a married couple." thestar.com/opinion/2020/0… @TorontoStar

Once all this is over, will toxic parts of wedding culture return?

Will women starve themselves, while doing most of the planning while keeping a check on their emotions?

If we express frustration, we get branded with the awful “bridezilla” stereotype 😡 thestar.com/opinion/2020/0…

Of course, this doesn’t mean big ceremonies and celebrations should become a thing of the past. 💜

Those involved with the wedding industry, such as chefs and planners and photographers would welcome the business during the inevitable economic downturn. thestar.com/opinion/2020/0…

Is Hollywood and "Say Yes to the Dress" to blame for weddings becoming over the top? Or is it fine and all the work and anxiety that goes into weddings totally worth it for a very special day? The comments are open in the story and would love your input. thestar.com/opinion/2020/0…

From my dad 😭

When my parents would ask about the wedding I’d get all anxious. It was just too much to handle with a busy job and my side hustle job (typical overworked millennial). Big wedding planning don’t fit into people’s lives easily so there’s a sense of relief. thestar.com/opinion/2020/0…

I’ve always had side jobs on top of full-time jobs because of media industry instability, and I’d like to afford an apartment. The pandemic also made me reconsider how little free time I have to spend with family and friends so I’ll be making some changes 💕💕

Inspired by this piece by @MarcoOved thestar.com/news/gta/2020/…

I mean, look at this massive To-Do list. It’s like a full-time job. I got this book last year and promptly abandoned it.