marriage is divine, but is it neccessary to spend a fortune

Yeah.. i was just having this conversation with my guy friend. He has a dilemma because the girl he wants to marry, (not engaged yet) has said to him that if he can't give her a big wedding, she's not sure she wants to marry him. Sounds materialistic, but she insists that a girl get married only once in her lifetime and she wants it to be memorable. In my opinion, you can have a low key yet memorable wedding. You don't have to blow up your bank account just for a wedding. What matters most are the years to come. If your marriage crumbles due to financial difficulties due to the hefty price of your marriage, then who's to blame? So, spend less and spend it with people that you love most.. unless of course, your father is the Sultan of Brunei and your carriage is made partly from the front part of a rolls royce. ;D

i soooo agree with you. i just got engaged 4 months ago and i have been looking at dresses and places to have the wedding because my church is really small and we both have big faimlys and prices are outrages!!! i can't belive that people will spend 10,000.00 on a dress that they will wear once. i dn't have alot of money s i am not going to spend alot but if i did i still would'nt go crazy over one day. it's not about the wedding it's about the love.

I will have a party when I get married- to vcelibrate.. But i will not spend a fortune. I do not see why people have weddings for hundredthousands dollar - that money would be better of IN the marriage =) I will have a few people (family, friends) and so will he and we will for sure have a party - not a million dollar one though =)

No, I dont see any sense in spending a fortune and the florists etc....really mark up everything. I had a beautiful garden wedding which did not cost a fortune, way way under $1000.00. Everyone said that it was the most beautiful , peaceful, relaxing wedding that they have been to. People do tend to go over the top and its completely unnecesary. Or I suppose they have to out the next person.

I agree with you here. I think that many people are too wrapped up on the idea that since a wedding should be the 'best day of your life' then you should splash out and indulge in all kinds of luxuries (white doves is one of the most ridiculous I have encountered!) I think that a wedding should be an amazing day, but it can be special without having to spend more money than you actually have. Being surrounded by your family and friends should make this day special - not to mention the fact that you are making a commitment to another human being - I think people overlook that and focus more on how extravagant they can make that one day (which is another reason why the sanctity of marriage is being lost, as we discussed earlier). For me, my wedding is going to be a simple one, there will be a nice dress, nice food, a nice venue - but not too much, I am not a wealthy person so I understand that I cannot afford to splash out on unnecessary luxuries - it's not worth being in debt for the rest of your life for the sake of just one day :o)

Well, I've heard some people say that..."it only happens once" so...they give they're everything to it. Cause maybe they want it to be unforgettable. But, I agree with you its actually okay if we don't spend that much in marriage...cause whats important is the vows and the marriage itself.

My granddaughter has at least 2 friends that are living with their future husbands. as I see it they will continue to be future husbands because they want a big wedding. That wedding keeps getting futher nad futer away, both of those friends have or are having a second child. They are trying to save for that big wedding. But as the family grows that wedding will keep getting pushed in to the background. They could easily have a very nice simple wedding with just close friends. Besides it's not about he wedding it's about the marriage. The merriageis to proclaim that the couple is becoming a family and that can be done vey simmply.

You are right in a way about this. Espically if it doesn't work out. If I ever get married again it will be a simple marriage nothing fancy like the first time.

For some,they have dreamt of their wedding ever since they were a little girl. So when they finally find the right person, they want to make the dream come true. That means the dress, the cake, the guests, everything.But for others it is the marriage that really counts.They don't need a big wedding. They would rather go to the justice of the peace or Vegas and get it over with.The problem lies when one finacee wants a big wedding and the other doesn't.

i don't think that it is a must to spend a large sum of money for weddings. Although it is becoming a trend. I do think that even with a small amt of money, one can have a wedding which they couldn't forget. It is the solemnity of the vows which is the real meaning of that event.

I didn't understand that too! I think it's an announcement and commitment between two people. I am not married but if I get a chance to, I don't think I would want to spend that much amount of money. I would prefer to use the amount of money to facilitate me in other aspects of life, like for a down payment on a house or something. I think a wedding inviting close friends and family would be idea, I am not sure if I want to let the world know about my marriage. The most important thing is that the couple work hard to make the marriage last, not how extravagant the wedding is.

your view about the social custom of marraige is irrefutable. i find this peculiar custom throughout the world in different ways of celebrating this ceremony is ridiculous. there are churches,temples,mosques even in court as per law of that country.

my wedding cost for everything was around $900. This included clothes food cerimony and hotel room. We used my uncles house and a justice of the peace. The people we wanted to come were there. I do not believe in going broke or in debt just to get married. I think there are many ways to do it for a reasoonable price and still have what you want.

I would rather put a down=payment on a house, and have the wedding and reception in our home or garden.

I totally agree with you on this matter. My sister is getting married in a couple weeks after being with her husband to be for nearly 25 years. They are going to elope to Vegas because they do not want to make a big to do about it. I like small weddings myself and if I were ever to get married again I will doing it quietly with a few chosen people to celebrate with.

It really depends on the couple. If they want a grand wedding, so be it as long as they can afford. However, if you are on a low budget, try to make the wedding a bit realistic and within your means. A marriage ceremony should be meaningful and not just for show. On my part, my husband and I wanted a nice, lovely and meaningful wedding but since I belong to a big family, I also shared in the expenses. We planned months ahead and made sure we stayed within our budget. We made sure it was a wedding for us and not for others. As a result, we had a wedding that we wanted all along. We started our life as a couple debt free and had enough money to go on. :)