'Til Debt Do Us Part

Let me lay a fact on you: the average wedding costs $28,000.
Let me lay another fact on you: the number one reason couples fight/divorce is because of money (finances/debt/etc.).

Do both these statements together seem kind of opposing in some way? Maybe sort of ironic?

Maybe it's odd to me because the only expenses I occurred getting married were A. Our marriage license and B. The payment to the justice that officiated us. All-in-all maybe $300 was spent on our wedding, approximately.

Now, I have this theory about capitalism and its effects on weddings, I mean, why else would the wedding industry be a multi-billion dollar industry if it was not profitable? That doesn't make sense. They have learned to tap into your emotions, "It's your day, it's your one day to feel special." They ploy their advertisements and target them towards vulnerable fiances, "It's a traditional style that's sure to please." They make up ridiculous rules such as, "If you really love her you'd spend two months salary on her ring." These weddings are engineered to put you into a position of owing, put you into debt. I could go on this spiel forever but I'll save your eyes and continue...

The sad part is... people eat that shit up! Unlike their wedding cake, "It was expensive, but really complimented our color scheme! You can't eat it but we have some sheet cake over here for you." Seem familiar?

Try having these sort of "traditional" weddings before WWII. People wouldn't compliment all your fancy centerpieces and houvre d oeuvres, instead they would be disgusted of your lavish ceremony. This is obviously a wedding well beyond your means!

I know people would like to share this day with many friends and family, that's what the ceremony is all about: sharing your love! Except... it's NOT. Not anymore anyway, which will bring me to my next story that I'm working on which discusses selfishness surrounding and strangling relationships, but that's for another time. Right now we're on guests.

How many people would be acceptable to invite to a wedding? 1000?  Don't you think it seems slightly narcissistic to invite one THOUSAND people to your wedding? 500? I'd be absolutely amazed if they knew every name and face of their guest. 300?  Remember, you're expected to feed and entertain these people as well. 100? Do you think you will be able to have time to have a meaningful conversation with each and every one of your guests? 30?  If you’re trying to decide who to put on your guest list, my advice is stick to inviting the people you care about the most because they’re the ones who want to be there the most too!

Why spend loads of money on a grandeur wedding you can't even afford when the #1 reason relationships are strained is because of financial issues? It just seems ironic to me that before you even say, "I do" you're starting your marriage on a heaping pile of "we owe." It's flat out foolish, irresponsible and you're potentially setting yourself up for some difficult struggles in the road ahead or possibly dissemination of a marriage and ultimately failure and premature divorce. Wasted time because you wanted to show off. Wasted money because you had to have "class."

My advice to you is: keep it simple, keep it intimate, keep it cheap, and DON'T BORROW MONEY FROM OTHERS-YES EVEN FAMILY-because that brings on a whole new boat of issues.