Karaoke means empty orchestra in Japanese

Most of us dream of our wedding before the shiny bauble is on our finger. For me, it wasn't white dresses or pretty flowers. My dreams were of the party we'd have, the fun with our friends, the dance music, the afterparty. More importantly, the karaoke that must take place, logically, because some of the best times Mr. McBriderson and I have had as a couple have included great pop music, terrible Japanese vignettes, and wireless mics.

Karaoke at a wedding, you say? Of course not! Surely it would distract from dinner. No, my ingenious plan was to have a karaoke rehearsal dinner.



Doesn't it look like fun? Sadly, I had to let go of my idea, little by little, as we decided against an NYC wedding, which meant there would be no karaoke bars close by. Renting a karaoke machine and driving it up to the Hudson Valley was an option, but it seemed a little contrived. Then, last weekend as my girlfriends and I were singing along to my iPod at the top of our lungs after several glasses of wine, it hit me. Rehearsal Dinner Karaoke was actually the worst idea ever, because it would have required our wedding party and parents - arguably the most important people at the wedding - to get incredibly drunk the night before. Most normal people (read: people other than Bridey and Mr. McBriderson) require large doses of alcohol in order to belt out "Lady Marmalade." Oh, well, perhaps at the bachelorette party.

Did any of your wedding dreams fall prey to the great beast that is practicality?