"the pretty one," and you

of the late 1980s and '90s designer dresses for women , high-fashion designers took over the once-staid wedding industry (so princess-brides could now be stylish and sexy); the post-Diana celebrity culture took over our psyches; and the Disney Princess phenomenon -- launched at the beginning of the new millennium -- whipped it all into a look-at-me frenzy!Paradoxically, as the women's self-actualization movement arose during the last two decades of the twentieth century, the princess-bride planning her own wedding did as well.She was sleek -- hair, make-up and shoes planned to a T -- and this overly maquillage'd bride posed like a red-carpet celebrity in her big white dress.Now in today's image-addicted, reality-show-saturated, Pinterest-loving culture, the gown's enchantment not only lives on, but thrives.Beyond DisneyPerhaps it was bound to happen with the first generation of Disney princesses coming of age and "with the single population ever increasing -- and people becoming more and more self-interested and privileged," wrote Tom Teeman in late 2014 for The Daily Beast about something he calls the "self-marriage movement.A company in Japan offers "solo wedding" ceremonies and, as Teeman explains, one package deal includes "choosing your own gown, bouquet and hairstyle, a limousine service, a stay at a hotel and a commemorative photo album.Plus, to encourage more "positive feelings," the single bride can rent a "decorative" man to pose alongside her.A fake man for a fake ceremony!Is the idea of marrying yourself a declaration of independence and liberation or just more of a me, me, me "exercise in pampering," as one young woman labeled her experience?I think it's merely the princess myth stretched to extreme.sense of self-esteem.the effect was equal to a more extraordinary experience party sweet 16 dresses , such as visiting a World Heritage castle.But maybe the most forlorn aspect of all this to me--and the most telling--is the company's promotion.They proclaim that their solo-wedding ceremonies offer an opportunity for "single women who are not sure if they will get married, but want pictures of themselves in a bridal gown while they are 'young and beautiful'" (and you knew it was coming) so they can "'experience the feeling of being a princess.Therefore, with my query into the provocative "princess myth" on high-alert, a recent article in Vogue Daily caught my eye: "The Cool Girl's Guide to Wedding Shopping.It shares that "while there's nothing wrong with wanting to go traditional, not every bride dreams of a dress of Disney-princess proportions.Of course what's considered "traditional" hasn't always been, well, "traditional"--changes in fashion may be the only "constant" we can count on!The article features colorful, floral, unfussy designer dresses for brides--not a crinoline or corset or pouf in sight--more chic milkmaid than celebrity princess!Can the "princess myth" survive such no-fuss simplicity?Indeed, would there have been generations of princess-dreaming girls without the allure of a glamorous gown?Does one really want to be a "princess" if there's no glam gown in the offering?Or, on the other hand, perhaps the "princess myth" is more Jungian than sparkly dress.Your Inner Goddess CallingWhen shopping for a wedding dress, I ask brides through my wedding blog to consider just who is doing the choosing!Is it the latest fashion that's tugging at your heart or maybe 'tis some once-upon-a-time "princess" yearning?Or perhaps something deeper happens when you try on "the dress"?Something more akin to: "I feel like a destiny-shaping goddess.For the last 30 years I've encouraged brides to let this feeling--like an intuitive feminine presence--soak deep into their bones, keeping it close to their hearts during this seminal rite-of-passage.This is the mantra I share: "Don't settle for being a princess-for-a-day, be a goddess for a lifetime!For Better or Worse, How Princess Diana Rescued the Great White Wedding.writes,I'm 26 and I'm going to be getting married in October, and everything in my relationship is great.needed to, and then I got contacts sweet 16 dresses gowns , and I also went to a dermatologist and got on Retin-A for my skin.But I'm not satisfied.I don't know where this insecurity is coming from.I am fine with not being gorgeous.Everyone in my family always focuses on my nice personality, but nobody ever said much about my looks.the pretty one, and one time I heard my grandmother say that outright.even caring about something so superficial.lately he is acting like I am crazy, more so every time I bring home a new product or get a new procedure.because I genuinely am in love with my fiance and I know that the marriage is the important thing, not the "big day.although I haven't told anyone.obsessing like this and how to stop.Dear OBTB,You are not alone.dresses, all to make their "Big Day" magical.breast implants to look their best at their weddings.crossed with Zooey Deschanel, you are made to feel like a failure.is now memorialized not only in your personal wedding album and video, like in years past, but on guests' social media too, where thousands of people can scrutinize your sartorial choices and how sexy you look in your gown.looking as awesome as possible.Your prognosis, though, is good.have the insight and self-awareness to stop yourself from getting in over your head.Also, you're super smart because you wrote in to me.Your fiance loves you, which is probably why he's weirded out by your new looks obsession.calling your sister "the pretty one," and you also had the sense that the rest of the family agreed.not delightful to hear that your sister beats you out in the looks department.If so, did she look like an angel descending from heaven in her wedding gown?on your BD (Big Day, obv).childhood insecurities.Your insight into your obsession is half the battle.your beauty-related purchases from here on out and prevent yourself from a really big and expensive mistake.but breast implants are actual surgery and expensive to boot.and your body is.