Marriage in the Public Sphere

Kate Middleton and Prince William’s recent nuptials got me thinking about the interconnectedness of marriage and the public sphere.  Shows like, “Say Yes to the Dress”, “Amazing Wedding Cakes”, and “Bridezillas” (to name a few) on TLC, which expose the behind-the-scenes preparations that go into conducting a “successful wedding”.  The New York Times’ “Weddings and Celebrations” section is a weekly article in which announcements of marriages are published.  Tabloids and Fashion magazines alike (People and Vogue, for example) follow celebrity couples, hyping up their romantic lives so greatly that when they inevitably falter, the public reaction is more melodramatic than necessary.  Even movies and television shows of every genre highlight marriages (Charlotte from Sex and the City glorifies marriage to an extreme).  I appreciate that marriages have always been glorified throughout history, but I would like to research how the technological advancements that have occurred over the past 30 years have changed the public’s perception of marriage.  How did marriage become such a franchise in recent years?  When did people start buying paraphernalia with celebrity couples’ faces printed on them?  The influx of new ways to share information through the media and through other forms of modern technology has instigated a new era of blurring the lines between the private and public spheres.  I will be researching the different ways in which the media has become involved in the public sphere – specifically regarding marriage.