Why do people spend thousands of dollars on a wedding? Why not just get hitched at the courthouse for$30?

Question

i still want to have a nice reception in my back yard or a cheap hall but i can not afford to spend 20 thousand and even if i could i would feel like it was a waste of money--Id rather use that money to go on vacation and have a small wedding.

Answer 1

Historically, a wedding has been a good moment to demonstrate a family's financial status. These days, that seems to figure into it, but most girls just grow up with this fairytale concept of what a "good" wedding is. I've never understood it myself. We have family friends getting married in July, and the guest list has been severely limited, to about half of who they want to invite, in order to keep the catering budget (the biggest chunk of it) to a minimum. We invited a thousand people, no joke, ordered Subway, and got some fruit and cookie platters from the grocery store.

She's only got 2 bridesmaids because of the high cost of fresh flowers. I got seven bouquets and enough corsages and flowers for the guys to pin on a combined total of 27 parents, stepparents, grandparents, step-grandparents, and great-grandparents... all for 78 bucks at the local craft store's silk floral department. They even assembled it all for me. And you know, I think I got my money's worth, since all of the ladies have saved their bouquets and used them for home decoration.

She dropped a thousand bucks on a dress that she's going to be miserably hot in, in July, in the Arizona desert. It has so many beads, it's almost too heavy for her to wear. My mother made mine out of bridal silk, customizing it for the expected weather, and I loved it. It's simple enough that I've worn it several times to formal events and costume parties.

Why are they going to all this fuss, and limiting the size of the celebration in order to afford all the bells and whistles? No idea. I know we're not going to remember how nice it was, because we're not close enough friends or family to make the invite list... only family and friends of 10+ years made the list. The couple is more likely to remember how small it was, and how few of their own friends and "chosen family" were present, than how great the chicken dinner was or how lovely the flowers looked before they wilted in the July heat.

If people really want to go to that extreme, then I guess it's their money to squander, but honestly... I'd rather celebrate a new marriage, than witness a grand show of who can take out the biggest mortgage and throw the most money at the local bridal shops. Those kind of events generally just make people feel uncomfortable and feeling like the couple, and/or their parents, are just showing off.

Answer 2

I was recently looking at the cost of a wedding and could not believe in total what even the most simple wedding cost. I cannot believe that people want to take all that money and spend it on one day....crazy!

For me I have always wanted to get married in a church, so the court house thing is not for me as I want something more sacred.

However there are ways that you can save money. There are invitations that you can buy in stores such as Target and Walmart that you print out yourself. They can be as little as $25 for a pack of 50. That is great considering invitations can cost average of $500.00.You can also find inexpensive favors online. I did read your question above and know that you may not be having a big to do wedding however, the smaller the wedding party the less money spent also. Another thing is to get married outside of the summer months as flowers and everything costs less.

But definately save that money for vacation, a house, rent, clothes, a better TV and so on. People like to spend money on that day because they want to be special or even to show off. I would prefer a better financial life personally as that is one of the top 2 things that married couples argue about.

Answer 3

A wedding is a really important day for both the bride and the groom. When they spend thousands of dollars on a wedding, the wedding turns out really nicely. Spending money on making things nice makes some people feel good. And most of them can afford both a nice wedding, and a great vacation. I mean like, these people are usually realy really rich.

Answer 4

I didnt spend alot on my wedding and it was still nice. I made the invitations my self on the computer. I bought card stock at an Office Supply store. I went to party city and picked out nice decorations in my wedding colors. I also got a dress for 85.00 because it was considered a non-traditional dress. My friends helped me decorate and my mom had a three tier cake made by a friend and my mom also made some nice snacks for the small reception. I think all together we spent maybe 300.00. Most of my friends like it better than their weddings.

Answer 5

some people do and some people don't, I know I would find it a waste of money to spend that much money on a fancy wedding, but since you are a female, at least by your screen name anyways you know that that is the lady's day and that that is supposed to be her momment so needless to say that is why thousands of dollars get spent on weddings, I think if it were up to most guys they would rather spend the 30 bucks at the courthouse as well

Answer 6

The idea is to get 2 people married and start a new life together. If you have the money to do that with many friends and relatives in attendance that's a beautiful thing, if you don't or just don't feel the need then it's not necessary, the outcome is the same, a husband and a wife.

Answer 7

You make a great point! You could still have a reception on a shoestring budget too. Everyone likes turkey and dressing sandwiches with potato chips and pickles. Beer and pop r cheap too. We spent about 6k on our wedding/reception, then got divorced 11 months later. That is always a possibility. Go cheap, yeah!

Answer 8

i think that spending thousands on a wedding is ridiculous.. with the divorce rate skyrocketing, who knows how many times you will actually marry in your lifetime.

why not take the money that you would spend on a wedding and take a great honeymoon and still have money when you get home for things that you dont think about like bills, can openers, and things that you didnt get for your wedding. things that you can use for years instead of blowing it all in one day and having financial fights as soon as you walk into the door from the honeymoon.

Answer 9

Some people want to reap lots and lots of pricey gifts or extort cash out of attendees. Naturally the bigger the bash, the bigger the present, following this thinking.

Or, more innocently, perhaps they are thinking that this should be the most special day of their life, and all the hoopla makes it that way.

Congratulations to you on not being tied to material things and greediness. You can have a very loving and special day without wasting money, time, and effort on things like Jordan Almonds tied up in lace!

Answer 10

Many times, the woman has this "wedding of her dreams" thing going on and it's much more expensive than they anticipated. However, whenever I get married, most of the big to-do will be for my family and friends. I'm not too concerned about the ceremony, but my family and friends will want to be there and if they're going to be there, then I want it to be nice. The cost depends on the couple, their wants, their finances, and the finances of their parents really.