I've never been much of a "traditional" girl.

I want to be a travel journalist, so settling down doesn't seem like much of a reality for me. I want to explore, I want to see the world, and I don't want to slow down until my last, dying breath. I don't want kids unless they're adopted. I'm not even really sure that I want to get married with how I've seen the sanctity of marriage, or even simple relationships, treated by others my own age, plus my own experiences in relationships. Marriage is something that I would have to be 200% sure about before I even considered it with anyone, and I'm definitely not at that point, yet. Maybe I won't ever be, honestly, and I'm okay with that.

That being said, a traditional wedding with a big, white gown in a church with all of our family and friends seated around us never really appealed to me. Maybe for a hot second when I was five or six and saw pictures of my parents' own traditional wedding, but I grew out of that relatively quickly. I think I'm too much of a realist at times, and I start to see the bigger picture of things.

Not only is a traditional wedding just massively expensive, but it's just way too much stress to plan out. I'm already too anxious of a person to handle my real life. How the hell would I handle planning a wedding plus the afterparty? At most, I would be able to handle one and give it my all to plan...so, of course, I'm going to choose the afterparty.

I'm talking about a super fun, super chill reception in a friend's backyard. I'm talking about Pinterest decorations, like mason jars with twinkle lights and a rustic theme. I'm talking barbeque-style food that my dad can cook. I'm talking about a little mini-bar where people can make their own drinks and people bringing their own alcohol, too. A friend DJing using the aux cord. A comfy sundress for me and some sandals so I don't have to worry about tipping over in heels. Homemade cake and popping champagne. My mom, the most amazing (and free) photographer in the world, taking pictures for us. Staying up until 2 a.m. on whatever summer night we plan this on, just laughing, dancing, and enjoying each other's company. No stress of a real wedding involved.

There's no judgment to anyone that's ever planned or had a traditional wedding with the vows and the gown and everything else it entails, but it's just not what I've pictured for myself. People keep telling me that I'll change my mind one day, and who knows? Maybe I will. I doubt it, but just maybe. But for now, this is my plan. This is what I want. I don't want traditional, and I haven't since I was a little kid. I want sporadic and fun and one huge party to blow everyone out of the fucking water.

So screw a church wedding. I'll take a courthouse any day.