A Dress, A Ring, Promises to Self: an unconventional wedding planner for one, is based on a commitment ceremony author Sara Sharpe performed for and by herself years ago, at the Balsam Mountain Inn in Balsam, North Carolina (long before she had heard the word "sologomy.") The book, part journal and part planner, serves as a reminder to all women (and men, for that matter) that radical self care is an absolute prerequisite to marriage in the traditional sense. And as the book says, "If you're already married, it's certainly not too late.”
A DRESS, A RING, PROMISES TO SELF
Read the little book that (hysterically) has been disparaged from Australia to Zimbabwe.
Apparently this little book has stirred the tiniest bit of controversy. Since the book was published a few years ago, and since "sologamy" has become a thing (I'd never heard the term when I performed my little ceremony years ago), several articles, in several countries and on several continents, have appeared describing self-marriage as "The pinnacle of the culture of narcissism." Dress, Ring, Promises - and yours truly - are mentioned in almost every article. I am both amused and exasperated by the fact that anyone actually thinks we are confusing a symbolic gesture with the institution of marriage. Sigh.
I responded to one article as kindly as I could, reassuring the author that those of us who "married ourselves" (term applied loosely, thank you very much) were simply making a commitment to love, honor and care for ourselves so that we could better love, honor and care for others. A commitment to self isn't about narcissism; it's about putting the broken pieces back together.
Ah well. Rest assured, friends: the institution of marriage will prevail.
At this point, frankly, we're not organized enough, and don't have time enough, to process returns. Soon, we hope! Only make this purchase if you're willing to pass it along to someone else if it's not for you. This little book makes a great gift!