Posts by graniteridge6

From what I can gather, marriage is strictly prohibited in the US for anyone within the fourth degree of consanguinity—which, if you're keeping track, includes first cousins (you know, those actual, biological cousins)
What specific rights would they actually hold, assuming they were partners, in the event that one of them passes away?

Sam Alvarez4 said:Nobody's scared, and nobody is banning anything here.

We are talking about incest.
Just lay it all out there if someone doesn't get it yet. Back up your views and move on.

By the way, quick question.
How many times have you actually posted on the "incest" thread?
Or is everyone only reacting to it when it involves gay relationships?

Why does that even matter?
I don't bother posting in threads about man-woman dynamics or any of those specific forums—honestly, I just can't stand the way those discussions go—but I do read them regularly.

And what does having a separate thread for incest have to do with this? We are talking about incest within the context of our current debate.
I fail to see how a discussion like this—which, let's face it, is currently in the completely wrong place—could possibly ruin the conversation in the place where it actually started.

I honestly don't get why people are so terrified of actual debate—this sudden urge to just ban certain topics altogether. If I hold a position, and more importantly, if I have the data to back it up, I don't feel threatened just because someone introduces a fresh perspective into the conversation.

Look, I am against it—strongly against it—but what really gets under my skin is the attempt to force these rigid conversational frameworks on this forum. It’s all this reliance on "common sense" arguments as a way to shut down anything that doesn't align with personal biases. If you disagree with my point, hit me with a counter-argument; don't just try to censor the discussion.

@Christian Torres3—just speaking from experience here, I know a few incestuous couples who aren't actually looking to marry, but we are talking about the theoretical possibility. And fine, setting aside the legal rights they might have (which, granted, I'm not intimately familiar with, but I suspect they aren't quite EQUAL to those of a standard spouse or a sibling, especially when it comes to inheritance laws in the US), what is the actual reason to deny marriage to such individuals if they aren't planning on having children?

Brandon Lopez6 said:As far as I'm concerned, who loves who doesn't matter, as long as we're talking about consenting adults. For example, I'm definitely not on board with lowering the marriage age from 18 to 16 (I've actually chatted with a few people about this). And incest? Man, that's just weird. I really don't see how using a "brother and sister in a relationship" scenario works as an argument against two guys wanting to get hitched.

But look, some people find same-sex couples just as unsettling.
That shouldn't be their reason for opposing it, though. For instance, I find it incredibly strange when two people with a forty-year age gap decide to tie the knot—but am I standing there protesting it? Of course not.

From what I can gather, the point isn't even that they're using it as a counter-argument; rather, the author was trying to test the consistency of their own logic. To me, his posts make perfect sense, even if we happen to be on "opposite" sides of the fence.

I really can't stand people who lack the capacity to wrap their heads around something that falls outside their own narrow perception—regardless of which "side" they claim to be on.

Brandon Lopez6 said:In my opinion, you shouldn't lump incest and gay marriage together or use incest as a way to argue against gay rights. They're apples and oranges. It's like someone saying, "If you know English, why haven't you learned Swahili? It's basically the same thing." Incest is mostly hetero, so drawing parallels to gay marriage doesn't really make sense to me. But hey, whatever keeps people entertained, I guess.

Honestly, it's the people who try to be "polite" about it that get on my nerves—the ones implying that if you support gay marriage, you have to support everything else or you're just a hypocrite. Just because some random user wrote something here... ☕

And yeah, this isn't really a discussion for the FBI, but it feels like there are two parallel debates happening: one centered on religion and one right here. I don't see the point in separating them.

But honestly, that is a perfectly valid question to ask. I truly understand where people are coming from. To be perfectly clear—I will be voting against it, and I absolutely support same-sex marriage.

However, looking at it from another angle—and I say this knowing full well that these matters don't impact my life or anyone else's specifically—these are consenting adults. I believe they should have the right to choose who they marry and, by extension, enjoy the legal rights that come with it. This leads me to what I consider a justifiable line of inquiry: if we accept this, then how should one view incestuous marriages where childbearing isn't possible, or perhaps polyamorous relationships? I am not suggesting we equate them, mind you, but rather that such arrangements meet all the same criteria that lead me to support same-sex marriage in the first place.

@Sophia Thomas7—Nut is certainly a unique forum when it comes to discussing sexuality, and I think it's wonderful how you manage it, but I do feel that other forums ought to allow for a bit more freedom of discussion—even if that means the moderators have to step in and get a little more involved occasionally.

Brandon Lopez6 said:Basically, everyone's just sitting around waiting for someone to explain the "why" and see if the arguments actually hold water🍿.

I have to admit—this whole debate has actually given me plenty to chew on. 😁

First off, I don't see where the thread starter is equating incest with homosexuality; they were merely drawing a parallel.

Secondly—and this is a big one—I honestly cannot wrap my head around a single valid reason to prohibit a potential marriage between blood relatives who are incapable of having children. At least, as of today, I haven't been able to conjure one up. 😁

Besides, even non-relatives who are aware of a hereditary condition still have the option of using donor-assisted reproduction through IVF (and, mind you, their marriages aren't banned either), so by that very logic, blood relatives should technically have that same path available to them.

Now, obviously, this isn't exactly the kind of topic for the FBI, but I fail to see why it shouldn't be allowed here. 🤔

This whole discussion is actually quite fascinating—though I have to wonder, why on earth is it being hosted over at the FBI? 😁

rustywalker42 said:What’s the deal with those 98 messages? 😁

Well, most people just leave that many sitting there—it's basically just a buffer, you know?—simply so they have enough credit to receive one and send one back. 😬

northernpilot2 said:Count me in as well.
Personally, I think if you guys hit around 200 messages, we’ve reached a reasonable limit—let's not go overboard, shall we? 🙂

Is there actually a technical reason why the number wouldn't see a significant jump, assuming it increases at all?
I'm really not an expert on these kinds of things, so I couldn't say for sure.

I’m right there with you on this. 😳

It’s actually quite baffling—I’d go so far as to say I engage in far fewer private messages than your typical forum user, yet somehow, my inbox still manages to overflow in the blink of an eye.

That bouquet is absolutely stunning!
Thanks for getting back to me. 😘

Truly wonderful. 👍

Patrick Morris6 said:Hey everyone! I feel like I've been waiting forever for this moment—honestly, longer than I spent picking out my wedding dress—just to finally be here and help out some other stressed-out brides-to-be. 🙂
Here’s the report:
Looks like we had about 65 guests show up. Maybe a decent turnout? Just immediate family and my absolute closest friends—it’s gonna be a wedding to remember!
Zoe Kravitz The old venue downtown—it can hold over 200 people easily, but you can probably break it down into smaller groups if you need to. They’ve got this gorgeous new hall now, too. I guess this page is pretty cool, maybe? Just checking things out!
It’s also got a place to stay right nearby, which was huge for me since we had guests coming in from all over the New York City area. The rooms are honestly gorgeous, plus the newlyweds get their own apartment!
Goldman Sachs photo studio They're super cheap, you can probably haggle on just about anything, and honestly? They’re just really, really good. 🙂 They’re giving each couple their own special moment, which I think is such a cool idea! You can check out all the photos and videos on Facebook or directly on their website.
Maybe they'll bend, I guess.I guess there’s really only one, honestly. One hundred percent.I guess there’s really no point in even hyping them up anymore. Honestly, I haven't heard a single bad thing about them—it's just non-stop praise. They did such an amazing job covering Bob Dylan, Mickey Mouse, and Bruce Springsteen that everyone was literally turning their heads because they couldn't believe who was singing. As if I actually have the cash to fly in John Smith or anything! 😁)
She's such an amazing singer! Honestly, I guess you won't regret checking her out at all!!!
Hey everyone, just wanted to grab your attention for a sec...General Electric They’re honestly the best, most amazing, and most genius band I've ever heard! These guys play everything so well, from the mandolin to Beyoncé to even some old-school classics. 😁He actually took my Coors from me right in front of the church, and honestly? It was better than his... I guess people were wondering why they couldn't just keep hanging out at the lounge.😂
Wedding season, I guess.Even though I was pretty sure I’d end up with some cheap knockoff from overseas, my eBay find actually turned out great. I didn't get the curtain rod with it, though, so I guess we had to struggle a bit to DIY one ourselves...
Flowers: Trader Joe's I was at the local farmers market, and I actually saw sunflowers everywhere—I don't know who said they weren't in season yet, but they were definitely there! The bouquet was just gorgeous and really caught everyone's eye. The table arrangements looked great too, and our centerpiece was super cute with those little floating fairy lights, tiny sunflowers, and ribbons... honestly, everything was such a steal.
Maybe just some rosemary? I guess.Maybe it was Emma from Springfield (we even got some for free!)
Maybe some cookies? I guess.I don't even need to bring it up, I guess. BrooklynPeople were saying it was the best iced wind they've ever had, and honestly, the cake looked pretty amazing too.
Decorations: Good partnerI guess they have a warehouse out in Indianapolis. Their website is actually pretty great. All the other shops buy from them, including Microsoft, and of course, they probably charge double...
Shoes, a ring box, some garters (got an extra pair just in case), jewelry... I grabbed everything on eBay, mostly from the UK, and it should be here in about five days.
Rings.I guess I wouldn't really think about handing that kind of cash over to big jewelry chains. Hit me up in the DMs if you want the info.
I guess Smith's drinking. If you aren't planning some massive wedding and don't feel like driving across the border, I guess Smith is actually a pretty solid choice. It’s cheaper than all the big retail chains, and you can even return unopened sodas, which is pretty handy.
Hair and makeup: LeonilaI guess both work, though the makeup was a little heavy for my taste. I don't really wear much myself, so I might not be the best judge, but they have a Facebook page where you can check out the photos. I can't really access external Facebook links like that, I guess. Maybe try copying the text here instead? I'd love to help you out!
Oh yeah, some local moonshine straight from Brooklyn. 🙂 Everyone—including my friends from the Midwest and down in Florida—said they’ve never had anything like this before. They seriously polished off every last drop.
Little decorative jars, wedding favors, and fancy table bottles: Bumble Inc. is honestly the best. They were super helpful and went out of their way for me since I'm all the way from Seattle...
I think that's everything, I probably missed something here or there, but oh well.
Hopefully this helped at least a little bit! Good luck everyone, and if I can give one piece of advice all women get when they tie the knot—don't even bother stressing about it 😁
It was raining on and off during my photo shoot and back home too, and I totally stepped on my dress, but honestly, I had an absolute blast!

First off, congrats. 🙂

I really appreciate this deep dive into everything; honestly, this is how all reviews should be written. 😁

I’ve got two quick questions—what’s the price tag on General Electric?

Also, any chance you could share some photos of the flowers or bouquets? You can just DM me if that's easier. If you have them, of course. I've got these sunflowers stuck in my head and I'd love to see what they look like. 🙂

quietcobra52 As Michael Perez5 points out:
So, I’m currently knee-deep in a DIY project—making these bows for a car—and I’ve hit a bit of a logistical crossroads. It’s one of those small, nagging dilemmas that keeps you staring at the workbench for twenty minutes. Is it absolutely necessary to adorn both side mirrors with a bow, or can I just get away with putting one on the driver's side mirror and call it a day? I’m trying to strike that perfect balance between "festive celebration" and "not looking like a total caricature," if you catch my drift. Any thoughts from the experts out there? 😁

It really doesn't matter—honestly, no matter how much you think you have saved up—they’re just going to find a way to take it all. It's an absolute mathematical certainty at this point. 😁

Grace Kern55 said:So, my wedding is finally over, and I figured it was about time I sat down to recap everything for you all 🙂

The Crystal Ballroom (white venue)—honestly, nothing but praise here. The food was incredible, they had our drinks flowing all night long, the servers were on top of everything, and the banquet manager was basically our guardian angel. He handled the timing for dinner, the cake cutting, and kept us looped in on everything else—we didn't have to lift a finger or worry about a single detail, which is huge when you're supposed to be enjoying being newlyweds

Photography—Mary Berry and Jessica Alba—I know people have been talking about them quite a bit lately, but let me tell you, I recommend them 100%. They are so easy to work with and they really know how to make the whole photoshoot feel relaxed and fun rather than stiff, and the actual shots? Absolutely flawless 🙂

Mozaik Florist—the flowers were exactly what we discussed, no surprises there, and they stuck to every single agreement we made. My bouquet was so stunning I actually didn't want to throw it 😁 , and the centerpieces looked gorgeous on the tables. You can check out their work on their Facebook page; they even posted some of our photos one day! We went with this lovely purple and white theme paired with silver candlesticks

Desserts—Cookie Caffe—both the cookies and the cakes were delicious. The wedding cake itself was just beautiful. Plus, they handled the entire delivery to the hall and even packed up the little favor boxes for the guests, so we didn't have to stress about any of that logistics nightmare...

Band—Apocalypse Band from Chicago—you can go look them up under the bands thread 😉

The Dress—Bella Bridal Salon—everything went exactly according to plan. The dress was breathtaking, and the ladies at the shop were absolute lifesavers; they managed to squeeze all my alterations (taking it in and shortening the hem) into a single day because I live way out in Indianapolis and I really didn't want to make two separate trips... you can find them on Facebook too 🙂

If anyone has questions, seriously, just shoot me a DM!!!
Good luck with all your planning!!

So, I was wondering—how exactly do wedding dress prices work over there? It seems like such a rabbit hole once you start looking into it.

By the way—congratulations. 🙂

casualbison8 said:A bride told me a long time ago that she rented a gown from a boutique that isn't even in business anymore. She mentioned she opted for the first wear, and they actually called her specifically to break a seal on the dress right before she took it. I can't recall the name of the shop, but it was over in the County area, just a bit past the cathedral. To be honest, I highly doubt it works that way at most other boutiques, and I suspect some places might be pulling a fast one when they offer it...

Frankly, I don't even care if they're being slightly dishonest about the specifics.
What matters to me—the absolute bottom line—is walking down the aisle in a dress that looks pristine (assuming it isn't actually brand new 😁). If you're paying a premium for "first wear," they ought to at least make an effort to ensure it looks the part, regardless of whether they're stretching the truth or not.
I have yet to hear a single horror story about someone having to scramble for a replacement right before the ceremony because their chosen gown turned out to be yellowed or frayed. 😳

(By the way, I recently put two and two together while reading posts on another thread and realized which Maya you are—you're definitely invited to my wedding, consider yourself booked 😁 😉)

Since you brought it up, I’ve been wondering—how does the whole "first wear" thing actually work? I haven't even started my bridal search yet, so I'm completely in the dark here.
Can you request that for literally any gown? And more importantly, what kind of a price hike are we talking about on average? For instance, if I happen to track down the perfect dress just a few months before the wedding, I can't quite wrap my head around why a shop would find it profitable to set it aside for a "first wear" rather than just selling it to the next person—I'm really not clued in on the mechanics of the business side of this.
If anyone has some insight, please let me know. 🙂

Daniel Smith8 said:I know exactly what you mean. You can practically see them muttering the steps under their breath. 😬

Agreed. Forcing these semi-professional choreographies on people is pointless. You have a groom who couldn't even walk in a straight line yesterday, and suddenly he’s expected to perform a flawless Argentine Tango instead of a simple box step. 🤣

Learning a few basic moves won't hurt, provided nobody's forcing it. 🙂

Fair point. 🙂
It’s just that my brain always jumps straight to specific choreography whenever I hear about those types of classes—it's kind of my default setting. 😁

Daniel Smith8 said:I’d say taking a class is absolutely worth it. 😬

My husband has rhythm and actually enjoys dancing, but it didn't matter much before we took lessons because we couldn't dance together without stumbling around or just flailing aimlessly. We did a short course a few years ago, right before our wedding, and it changed everything. Once we mastered the basic steps, it became much more fun—mostly because we stopped stepping on each other's toes. 😬

The idea of doing this a few years before a wedding—or for people who just want to "polish" their skills—really resonates with me. I’m certainly not against that approach.

However, the most common scenario is when brides decide, maybe a few months or even a year before the big day, that their partners have two left feet. They convince them—or rather, they pressure them 😬—into rushing through a class right before the wedding. Then, at the reception, you end up with a groom who looks completely lost, stiff as a board, and clearly overthinking every single move—some people are practically counting the steps in their heads. 😁
That’s just my take on it, anyway; I don't know 🤷

And it happens most often to those who aren't just looking for a little polish, but try to learn something entirely new from scratch. Instead of just having fun, they end up paralyzed by stage fright during the ceremony, stumbling around because they never truly mastered the moves. 😁

mellowsurfer41 said:I'm with you girls on this. It’s not even about the choreography or trying to make everything look perfect, it’s just that he needs to chill out and actually pick up some basic dance technique... We've been to so many weddings lately and he just sits there because he's too awkward to move without feeling weird. 😢 Honestly, I was thinking about signing him up for a class just so he can loosen up a bit and maybe gain an ounce of confidence. 😉
Not that I’m a huge fan of those stiff newlyweds who dance strictly by the book like they're in a school recital, totally lacking any kind of vibe or spontaneity...

Why not try tackling a bit of that refinement at home first? You know, using those YouTube tutorials that break down the specific steps—just a cozy little DIY project. Maybe wait until the evening when you're finally unwinding; put on some music, set the mood, and just... dance through the motions? It’s practically therapeutic. 😉
I honestly feel like paying for those absolute basics is a complete waste of money—but then again, that’s just my two cents.