It's both. It's a wedding-themed birthday party. The idea is to honor my birthday in the same way we honor the institution of marriage. It's a way to celebrate all the various types of love in my life.
No. It's not the early 2000s and self-love is a dead concept in this capitalistic society. I am not marrying myself and this is not a self-love, self-actualized, new age ceremony. It's a love-party for my community.
The short answer: no. The fact that you're attending is enough. However, I do have a registry that will include a link to my "honeymoon fund" (a trip for myself to do whatever I choose, go wherever I please and with whomever I want). But I also STRONGLY encourage you to donate to a nonprofit organization in lieu of gifts.
This is a chance to wear the outfit you thought you never could! Glitz, glam, feathers, fur - anything goes! It's also a great opportunity to wear that dress or suit that is sitting in your closet collecting dust because you only wore it once to your cousin's wedding. Anything bridal/wedding-esque is encouraged! This means wedding/white dresses, bridesmaids gowns, tuxes, top hats, suit jackets, crazy blazers - I am here for it all! If you need a color scheme - I would suggest gold and white but all I really care about is that YOU feel good in whatever you wear <3