I don't necessarily mean emotionally, because no one can really plan that (although, based on my track record, I'll be a giant, sobbing mess). I mean in terms of level of intoxication. Most brides consider ahead of time whether they're going to have a drink (or two or more) before the ceremony. After all, it's an important day, and tensions will likely be high, so anything that takes the edge off is good. However, alcohol can sometimes be a bad choice, especially if you're prone to acid reflux (me). That's why I'm planning to get high on my wedding day instead.
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Well, not instead (as the chances of me drinking at the reception are high), but definitely as a precursor to my actual wedding ceremony. I happen to be lucky enough to be getting married in one of the 23 states where marijuana is now legal, thus I can easily procure it in time for the big day. The reason I have come to this conclusion is because I'm prone to anxiety and panic attacks.
I've been in therapy on and off for the last five years ever since I experienced my first panic attack. And while I've tried various anxiety-curbing medications, I've found that marijuana, particularly the indica varieties that are most often used medicinally as a calming agent, works best. Through therapy I've come to know myself quite well, and just the fact that I'm already having anxiety over my big day makes me realize I should at least be prepared with tools to put out the fire, so to speak.
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Fortunately my friends and family are incredibly supportive of my marijuana use. Like myself, they believe it won't be long before the majority of America embraces medicinal as well as recreational marijuana, because its benefits far outweigh its negative side effects. And according to Racked, the wedding industry is right there with us and has already come up with some pretty exciting ways to incorporate it into a wedding ceremony and reception.
Put it into your guests' gift bags: Now, you don't necessarily want to do this for every guest, just the ones you're sure will appreciate it. One Colorado wedding I was at recently put discount cards for the nearby marijuana dispensary in everyone's bags, so if you were so inclined during the weekend, you could take a trip over and sample the local goods.
Put buds in your bouquet: I sort of love this idea. Colorado has a cannabis florist that actually makes tasteful-looking weed-laced bridal bouquets. That way your wedding flowers serve two purposes: decoration and decompression!
Have a regular bar and a "canna-bar": Just like your average alcohol-serving bar at a wedding, a weed bar would serve various strains to guests in various styles (joint, bowl, edible). What's great about this bar alternative is that you'll have fewer belligerent guests throwing up all over the place and causing mayhem. It's nearly impossible to overdose on weed, and high guests will be much more likely to fall asleep than get into a fistfight.
Serve weed-laced reception food: OK, so this one is a bit tricky, because you want everyone to know ahead of time that some of the food will have marijuana in it. However, there are companies that cater beautiful, herbal-infused dinners in Colorado that have gone off without a hitch. I suggest that if you're not entirely sure how all your guests will feel about this idea, then just have one or two passed hors d'oeuvres that are very clearly marked.
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Based on our guest list, the amount of visible marijuana at our wedding will be minimal, but you can bet your boots my fiancé and I will be getting a little stoned at some point. If you're considering doing the same on your (or a friend's) big day, be smart about it. Make sure it's legal where you are, hidden from disapproving guests and not mixed with alcohol too much. Trust me, you don't want to end up like my cousin, who smoked pot for the first time and took down a bottle of Champagne all in the same hour on her wedding day. Neither her nor her now-husband had much fun after that point.