Over the Top Weddings.
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My husband and I were invited to a very fancy wedding party last year. It wasn’t a set menu at the reception, you were asked by waiting staff on the day what you would like. I was flabbergasted as this is unusual for a wedding party of 150 people! The food was fabulous, and the room decor was stunning. I overheard people talking saying the flowers alone cost £10,000. There were other reports that the cake was £1600, the bridal party clothing was £3,000. Not wanting to take other peoples word, I asked the groom directly what they had spent on the wedding. £50k was the total. I was taken back by this. I mean, everything was perfect - but this couple did not have their own home. They were living at his parents home in the spare room. Why would you spend so much money on a wedding, when half of that money could have been used as a deposit for your own home.
They split after 6 months of marriage and are still paying their wedding off, with absolutely nothing to show for it.
Do you feel people are trying to outdo each other with extravagant weddings??
People are going far too over the top with weddings. We got married 9 years ago. We had 60 guests. Our wedding cost £10 grand, which was considered cheap back then. We got as many items as we could on sale. We got married during the week so it was cheaper as we saved money on the venue, food and drink, photographer, flowers, wedding cars, room dresser, pretty much everything.
We wanted it to be perfect for our guests but also didn't want to spend a fortune as we were buying our first house. Our friends still talk about how it was one of the best weddings they have ever been too. Weddings are about getting married and having a nice day. Spending thousands on flowers doesn't change that.
MrsCraig that’s amazing! I feel the same. It should be about the couple, but people are going OTT to put on a show
PayItForward we wanted a beautiful wedding but not at the expense of our future together. I remember it rained on our wedding day and everyone was saying "don't tell her" or "make sure she doesn't look out the window". I told them that as long as I ended the day married to my husband I didn't care what happened. We aren't extravagant people so our wedding wasn't going to be either. It was simple but absolutely beautiful.
Oh my goodness that’s madness. We saved up for a deposit for home and spent about £10k on ours 23 years ago and I thought that was a lot. Most of that was ceremony as church demanded fees (I think a bit greedy but however I wanted a pretty church). My wedding dress was new but in an independent small business so cheaper. Parents bought dress and bridesmaids dresses (1 adult x2 flower girls). Aunty supplied wine as she knew people. We had a barn for reception with outside catering. No evening do. We bought our own cake. We have a home which is now finally nearly ours and we are very much still together.
JLouM this is fantastic. I love the sound of a barn ceremony - it’s so unique. I feel getting yourself on the housing market is smarter than blowing a load of money on a party
If I get married it will be a register office that's it and close family and friends can't be doing with all the big stuff it's just not me
First time round I had a DIY wedding early 80's in the local village hall, we provided the ingredients and others in the village cooked them. There was no evening event. Second time (June) we went to Register Office on a 'cheap' slot costing 2 x £30 to give Notice and £68 on the day, we didn't tell anyone until after the event and had two witnesses that I sourced from Mumsnet 
We travelled to the event on our bus pass for 50p each, had no cake and the Registrar took our photos - it was a good day.
I nearly choked on my supper reading this. I had to reread it twice more. What on earth was they even thinking of? A wedding is just a big party for the bride and groom to feel special on their wedding day nothing more. What about the "parents" who went along with this? Why didn't the "parents" discouraged them from wasting so, so much money?
jam45 if I were either of their parents I would have had a good chat with them about it. Ridiculous when they didn’t even have a home
I do think it's a trend to be bigger and better than most. I really wish for couples to stay within a budget they can afford.
My wedding was on a budget - I got all my mates who were about my size to bring their wedding dresses round and borrowed one. The bridesmaids chose the dresses between them and two friends who can sew made them. The flowers on the tables were made of lovely dried flowers in baskets - so we told the guests to take them home. We got married at 3pm so by the time the wedding and faff was done the evening guests were arriving. It also meant the day wasn’t too long and we didn’t have that awkward gap where people aren’t sure if they should hang around or what.
I personally think that a wedding is better when it’s just bride and groom and a couple of close friends or family. I hate being invited to weddings. It’s a lot of expense all round.
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