Pros and Cons of Putting 16-Year-Old Girls in Wedding Gowns

When I first moved to where I live now, a friend told me that girls in the local high school where she taught English might spend $2,000 or $3,000 on a dress for homecoming. I thought she was full of it. Then I met someone who owned a bridal shop. She confirmed the story, adding that the homecoming court was required to wear white dresses. So what do you call a white, prommy looking dress? A wedding gown! She’d even sold a Vera Wang to one stylish teen.

Last week I got to experience the phenomena first hand at the high school homecoming parade, where my son and his fellow 5th graders supported the football team on a float lovingly crafted by the parents of said 5th graders. Up in front of the parade was the homecoming court. I watch in amazement as young girls in $100 updos rode freezing in the back of convertible Mercedes and Beemers, waving and tossing candy at their loyal subjects.

What’s wrong with girls in wedding gowns?
To me it cheapens the symbolism of such a special garment. The white gown is used for baptism, confirmation, quinceanera, and weddings, among other cultural rites I’m ignorant of. But to honor a football game? That’s just wrong.

What’s right with girls in wedding gowns?
While I’m pretty sure my daughter is more likely to be on the field for the homecoming game rather than on the court, you never know. I’ve got to consider the positive points of the tradition. Maybe she’ll be more careful eating spaghetti? Probably not. The one advantage I see is that wearing the white dress might gets it out of their systems and buys these girls a few more years before they don The White Dress. If that’s true I’m all for it. In fact, I’m off just now to buy a wedding gown Halloween costume on sale for next year.

Okay. No, I’m not. That’s over the line.