Say “I do” to you.
Credit: Colourbox
If you’re tired of being single, you no longer have an excuse. Husband and wife Jeffrey Levin and Bonnie Powers have found the perfect person for you – yourself.
The duo has created the “I Married Me Self-Wedding In A Box”, which is exactly what it sounds like. Now, you can exchange vows and a ring with the person who matters most in your life, taking the mantra of “you doing you” to another level.
The kit comes complete with a wedding ring, vows that you can exchange with yourself and daily affirmations to remind yourself about how amazing of a partner you are. Prices range are $45 and $300, depending if you want to treat yourself to a silver or gold ring.
“Many people have equated it with an idea of being frivolous,” Powers explained. “It’s absolutely not about that.”
Powers said they came up with the idea after her mother had passed away near her birthday and they wanted to do a celebration to honor her mother while still recognizing her own personal accomplishments.
They later held a mass self-marriage ceremony during their own wedding. Guests read specially written vows reminding them to be positive in their own lives, and then put on the wedding favor ring as a symbol of their commitment to being a better person for themselves.
“There’s a lot of evidence that when you are more optimistic, when you are able to rise above, it gives you the resources to be able to cope better when things are harder,” she explained. “We want to give people that sense of reminder and that reaffirmation that they are going to be okay.”
Levin adds that they have facilitated about 250 self-marriages so far, some in events like their wedding and others for smaller groups. They decided to make the kits and raise money for the project on crowdfunding site Indiegogo to spread the idea further to the masses.
The couple admitted that many people have questioned if this is another “crazy Californian idea,” but pointed out that the idea of self-marriage exists in some cultures especially in African tribes. While self-weddings aren’t legally binding in the U.S., it is interesting to note that in Colorado, you yourself are legally allowed to marry you and a partner.
Powers hopes that people will pick a special day for themselves and renew their vows to themselves often.
“In a very authentic way, we’re rooting into what makes them special,” she explained.
“It’s something that we believe in, and it’s powerful,” Levin said.
