4 Wedding Lessons from Game of Thrones

Everyone's favorite show about mythical kingdoms, dragons, and warring nobles is coming back this Sunday! To celebrate the return of Game of Thrones, we're bringing in a post on family politics. Even ignoring the super complicated Lannister family, the Game of Thrones is full of interesting sibling, parent-child relationships.

While taking a leaf out of Game of Thrones may seem counterproductive, it does show that family relationships are never simple. Here are four tips to minimize family drama and have fun during your wedding festivities.

Tip 1: Wedding Planning is Not a Game of Thrones

Cersei says to Ned Stark at one point, "You either win at the game of thrones, or you die." It's important to remember that no such grim ultimatums exist within the wedding world. In many of the cases, you're sharing the wedding planning details with others (e.g. your mother, mother-in-law, your fiance, and/ or a wedding planner), and compromise is key. Your life isn't flawless so why should your wedding be? There's a beauty in imperfection.

Tip 2: Your Future Mother-in-law is not Cersei Lannister

In terms of scary women, she's probably up there with Disney evil stepmothers and she definitely puts into perspective your relationship with your future in-laws. It could always be worse, and you should strive to make the best of even the most lackluster situations.

Tip 3: Blood is Thicker than Water

In another instance of it could be worse, you could have a brother like Viserys who tries to kill you.

But there is also the more familiar feud between Sansa and Arya Stark. Sansa constantly believes that her little sister is trying to undermine or embarrass her, and Arya cannot forgive her for siding with her future-husband. And I wonder what would happen if they would just talk to each other instead of fuming.

Tip 4: Have a Trusty Second-in-Command

The young and not-so-young characters of Game of Thrones are surrounded by a company of mentors, sidekicks, and buddies. Ned Stark has Jory Cassel, Dany has Mormont, the Starks have their direwolves, and Jon Snow has an entire posse. Too many brides try to take on too much and attempt to micromanage their entire wedding so appoint a loyal helper-friend-confidant.

In conclusion, wedding planning seems a cinch as opposed to gaining a throne or just trying to stay alive in Westeros. When your wedding seems like a matter of life or death, just watch an episode of GoT and it will put things into perspective.

Posted by Natalie T.