We've just been given a fairly large sum of money, and are planning to get married next May, it would be enough to have a fabulous wedding day but would we be better off investing the cash?
2007-03-08 10:59:15 · 33 answers · asked by fowlersofyork 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
You can have a fabulous wedding without spending a fortune. I spent about 5 grand by doing a lot of things by myself you would be surprised how much you can save if you have the time to do things on your own.
The sentiment of the day is more important than spending a ton of money. Also - you will never get back what you put into it - you can expect about a return of 25 to 30% if you are lucky.
Take some time to plan and do things on a smaller budget - plan and spend some cash on a kick-*** honeymoon and then invest to make your life easier (that is a big deal and will mean more than that one day). You can find a lot of great advice for planning a wedding (whether you spend big or small) on www.theknot.com
Most of all - enjoy every bit of this process. Don't get all crazy about it.
2007-03-08 11:10:38 · answer #1 · answered by painterswife 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming that your family is old fashioned enough to pay for the whole shebang, and go whole hog...invest all of it.
If your family isn't that old fashioned, which most aren't now a days, take a chunk of the change to "upgrade" the wedding, but keep it small and intimate, no hundreds of guests blow-out. Less stress this way. In any case, invest the money NOW, today, yesterday is not too soon.
As your wedding is May of '08, that is 14 months of growing income from now!
Alternatively, if you have your eye on a nice house, use the money as a down payment, and think about how fast you'll own it outright! Everyone you know will be moaning about their massive debt-load, while you and the hubby are chuckling all the way to the bank!
As for the wedding, try not to hire anyone/thing that is going to ask for the money more than 60 days in advance, and even then it shouldn't be more than a retainer (10-25% of expected billing), and mke sure it is refundable, should something go wrong - like your "must-have" chucrch burning down, and you a couple grand out on the deposit.
"Expect the best, plan for the worst" is a saying you should live by...not that you shouldn't be spontaneous ocasionally too! ;)
2007-03-08 11:16:12 · answer #2 · answered by jcurrieii 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After the Big Day is said and done with you will have realized that you should have invested. Even though it is your special day and you want it to be beautiful, the best thing to do would be to invest so that you can have it for when the times really do get rough. You and your guests will not remember those little things at the wedding like flowers, decorations, and table settings, they will remember how beautiful the bride was and how the music sounded. On the day of my wedding, I could not tell you half the people there or how the tables looked because I was so excited and it happened all fast. Just invest, and hopefully plan on a vacation or family later down the road. Be sure to buy disposable cameras to capture those people and moments that you will not be able to get around to or remember. Have a good one!!!
2007-03-08 11:24:31 · answer #3 · answered by Crystal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone to their own so at the end of the day it is your choice. However I think certain factors would have to come in to it. First of all investing is very wise but you may think Will I every get a day in my life like this again? Again if you don't have a half decent income you have got to think is it really worth it? Really if you both are going to earn reasonable money then 'the ball is in your court' and you do have better choices and it's quite simple you just do what makes you happiest. Despite nobody being able to stop you doing what you want if there is an ounce of sensibility between the two of you and I am sure there is you weigh up the pros and cons, could even mean a compromise and come to the conclusion what is best to YOUR circumstances. Still a nice position to be in and I wish you all the very best.
2007-03-09 10:05:56 · answer #4 · answered by Ms Mat Urity 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, firstly hope the wedding goes really well!!! Wishing you all the best for the future. I know what you are going through, well sort of anyway! My sister is getting married and we, being Indian (bugger!!) seem to be paying for the vast majority of the wedding. My sister has become a wedding demon where all reason has flown (there is goes) out of the window. I'm a business man so I see the value of money especially in terms of future value. Think of a budget, and half it. That's my answer. Designate cash to the important things and cut corners really hard where you can. For example ... digital cameras, anyone can use them ... wedding clothes, you'll never use them again. So think, investment is forever (property obviously!!) but the wedding is just a big party. All the best!!!.
2007-03-08 11:30:53 · answer #5 · answered by orange07974 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We all dream of a big wedding....At least i did....Im getting married in May and do not have a big budget but i am able to have a very nice wedding and not going over board. You have to remember is only a day. My fiance and I rather go on vacation for 3 weeks to Europe and that is exactly what we are doing after the wedding. Im having a small wedding but Im still having a ceremony...with cake, bouquet and the whole thing but for only 10 people....Maybe you can budget so you can have the wedding and invest too. Good luck.!
2007-03-08 11:29:28 · answer #6 · answered by YENNELEINYS G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Invest it. I feel that so many couples spend so much on one day! Rather prepare for the rest of your lives and when you have children. Another way to 'invest' is to spend some of the money on a really good marriage course, some churches and organizations have excellent courses, or one on conflict management! Buy some books on marriage too. This way you will be prepared for the marriage although not as much for the wedding!
It's possible to have an inexpensive wedding. You don't have to have bridesmaids, lots of flowers, three course reception and champagne. There are other ways. You can make your dress or wear a white evening dress instead, dry own flowers for confetti, buy flowers in bulk from a wholesale market and arrange yourself....use you imagination and be willing to roll up your sleeves. Included are two websites with ideas.
2007-03-08 21:40:40 · answer #7 · answered by Blodeuedd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can h ave a nice wedding without spending alot of money. Simple flowers, check the web bargainweddingdress.com and davids bridal has beautiful dresses for under $200. Bridesmaid dresses for even less. Check ebay to. Photos can be taken with a good digital camera. Do both!! Investing is the best way however to go. Buy a house put some in the bank etc.
2007-03-08 14:18:27 · answer #8 · answered by Ladybugs77 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Invest the cash. A big wedding may sound nice but why splash out and invite people you hardly know or see and may never see or hear from again just so they can have a day out and get wasted. Keep the wedding small and intimate.The money will come in handy for when you have a family and god forbid if anything goes wrong illnes etc.
2007-03-08 11:06:19 · answer #9 · answered by Ding Dong 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some FANTASTIC & insightful answers here.
DO take note of what many have said in that you can still have a memorable day without it costing heaps,
sit down & think about why you want ""the fabulous wedding"" & what that entails for you. give some thought to who you REALLY want to share this important day in your life with, e.g:- everyone you ;your fiance & families know - OR those people who are important in your lives & are going to remain so for some time.
A well known Television host here in Aus commented recently that when his daughter married about 18months ago - they made a rule "" if u haven't spoken to a particular person in 2years - then DONT include them on your list""
when I married 30years ago we had 15 people there - which was just our immediate families - I felt that was just as "fabulous" as my sisters - she married 18mrhs before me & had 80 guests & the whole shebang- mine was MUCH LESS stress & I was able to enjoy the day myself.
as I make wedding dresses I have seen all sorts of events planned & the simpler less expensive ones usually seem to be enjoyed more by all
also make sure that your main consideration is for the MARRIAGE & what both your expectations are of that rather than just """the wedding"""
the marriage is meant to be a life time whereas the wedding is after all just a matter of hours in your life
2007-03-08 14:19:36 · answer #10 · answered by fairypelican 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋