Well, a trend and a show, I guess.
Let’s take the show first–Bulging Brides. Good God. The name more or less says it all, but for the uninitiated, the idea is that a “Dream Team” whips imperfect (read: real) women into shape, and into their dresses, just in time for the big day. I’d be more inclined to forgive it if there were a companion “Gluttonous Grooms” show…the whole thing is noxious because it reinforces the increasingly accepted notion that brides must be supernaturally thin (and buff to boot) in order to be acceptable.
In other disconcerting news, check out this recent New York Times article–Botox for brides and bridesmaids alike!
If you’re engaged, it goes without saying that someone wants to marry you just as you are–just as you are *right now*–in all your flawed, possibly un-buff, possibly somewhat wrinkled glory. Everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day, of course, but the self-Stepfordization tactics are a little scary. You don’t want to morph into someone unrecognizable (and, worse still, something ultimately un-maintainable).
