Community Chat

[newziesuzie]

I wonder if the cost of weddings is
getting ridiculous? Or is it worth it to
splurge?

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http://www.moneytalksnews.com/you-wont-believe-how-much-americans-are-spending-weddings/

"You Won’t Believe How Much Americans Are Spending on Weddings"

"According to wedding planning website The Knot’s latest Real Weddings Study, the average wedding in the United States now costs a whopping $32,641.

Not only is that a $5,500 increase over the average wedding price tag in 2010, it also means that many couples are forking over more than half of their annual income (the median household income is $54,000) to pay for their wedding."

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details of study:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wedding-spend-reaches-all-time-high-as-couples-look-to-make-...

"Wedding Spend Reaches All-Time High As Couples Look To Make The Ultimate Personal Statement, According To The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study"

[Goldengate8361]

I think that's insane!!! I can't imagine how people actually get that much "value" out of such an event. I'm totally baffled by the whole wedding industry.

[SaRina]

The wedding industry makes its money selling fantasy and youthful dreams.  Unfortunately, when the fantasy is over, reality sets in.

[Kardi]

Weddings and funerals.   It's about image.  Everyone wants to impress their neighbors and friends and pretend they are millionaires even if it destroys their finances for years.  Those industries depend on it.

[hoosieroriginal]

I heard this on the news the other night.  Nothing like getting you or your family in serious debt to keep up with the Kardashians! 

[151949]

Not only does the wedding cost blow you away , the price to buy these huge diamond rings all the girls want now a days is stagerring. And then I believe they are saying now that 60% of the marriages fail. It blows my mind. What ever happened to a nice wedding party at a fire hall with a catered buffet and a local band? When I watch Say yes to the dress and see what they pay for a wedding dress ....

[Noel7]

Such awful news.  People feel they have to keep up with the Joneses. 

We need the counter culture back 

Spoiler

[HappyDaze]

I honestly don't remember how much we spent on our wedding. My parents paid for some of it and we paid the rest but we paid it in full without borrowing from savings or going into debt so it couldn't have been too unreasonable. We did alot of the decorating, etc ourselves and with our family. It was a wonderful beachside wedding and I will cherish it forever, regardless of how much it did (or did not) cost.

Regarding funerals, when I die, I wish I could just be put in the ground as is- no coffin, no embalming, nothing, just my body given back to the earth without any "packaging". So I will be cremated instead without embalming of any kind. I don't want a traditional funeral-just a bbq in someone's backyard on a nice summers day celebrating my life, not death, is what I want. No flowers or foo foo stuff- any money people feel they want to spend I ask that they donate to an animal rescue group or the ASPCA.

[luv-the-Q]

If they would spend the time, energy and money on the marriage instead of the wedding maybe there wouldn't be so many divorces.

[Puzzle Piece]

It really is perverse.

It's not about a marriage ceremony, it's about playing the game of bride and groom. 

You spend a lot of money for the costumes and the party because that is how they perceive things.  Seems like the more that is spent, the more the show for others to believe they are really in love and going to be a successful couple.  Then around 18 months later, the split. 

It's all too ridiculous and let's me know how dumb the parents are with money.