Are weddings a waste of money?

I don’t regret one bit the money we spent on our wedding. We paid for everything ourselves and did what we could afford. Waste of money? Maybe but worth the smiles I still get thinking about the day.

Hello! I have heard some of the same things and honestly done the line with planning I have thought ugh, what a waste! I think planning a wedding with your partner is a great test to confirm that you guys are good together. It can get very touchy and emotional and you get your ideas shot down and things that you think are necessary may not be the same in the eyes of another person. That's fine, both my FMIL and my Mom said why not buy a house and have a big celebration in your new house? It's a great thought but we really wanted to celebrate our love together with our loved ones with what we can afford. You also should be very realistic, weddings are super expensive and get more and more expensive as planning moves forward. However, I did have a cousin that wanted to have this ridiculous wedding and wanted to have everything paid for, I mean she totally expected people to just jump at the shot of paying for her dream wedding, oh yeah and she doesn't work at all, nor does she want to work. I went to her wedding and as I was leaving we hugged for goodbyes and she told me when you get married make sure your wedding is 100 times better than mine. She was upset because the people that were suckered into paying for this party only spent what they could and not what she wanted them to pay. I know this story had nothing to do with your post but a good story will help on your rant days. Do you and don't let anyone tell you differently.

I think even looking at wedding wire articles pointing out average costs $30K -40 K , says, many people spending ridiculous amounts. Because if that is average, huge number doing more. Yet these are not necessarily big weddings. So yeah, a waste, to me, if 40 K for a day for 150 people for a party. For those whom I know cannot afford it, where that is all their savings, and up to $**** in credit card debt that takes years to repay. It seems like mortgaging the future, way out of budget. And woe if they are expecting a year later, and already in debt. Baby deliveries expensive. But when people are spending a reasonable amount relative to their income, not a waste. And lots of of people scale the size and budget to what they can afford, and at that point, it is nobody's business. Burns my butt, though, when parents who moan and groan over every cent the couple is paying ( with no help) are the ones to add 50 or more names to the list, plus all their SO and children. The real issue is that it is too easy to get caught up in thinking an elaborate vision, beyond common sense, is necessary. People spend crazy amounts on some things, and never realize how they add up. If any couple knows their budget is realistic for their income, they need to tell anyone commenting to mind their own business. And also, they need to settle matters in advance, to not be pressured into adding extra wedding party members, or guests. OP sounds like a lower end budget, within reason, and needs to tell people everyone has their own priorities, MYOB.

Yes, but almost everything is a waste of money in a capitalist society. La fin. I definitely think that when people do say that to someone planning a wedding, part of it might come from a place of jealousy or self-righteousness. Of course, someone might be offering advice regarding which vendors aren’t worth the price point, which is helpful, imo. This happened to me once, and the person sounded so bitter.

Do not allow the negativity to steal your joy. It seems to be that you are doing a very affordable wedding. Congrats!