Qulityguy,

Thank you for your interesting topics.  I enjoy them a great deal.

About weddings: I believe one can have a big one or a small one depending on how deep one's pockets are. However,  for the ordinary Joes and Janes out there, I say:

1.  If you are relying on someone else to pay for your wedding, you are not ready for marriage

2.  If your wedding is paid for through cc, and you cannot pay off the bill when it comes, you cannot afford a wedding - go to the justice of peace and throw a party for family and friends when you can afford it

3.  If you are a woman and buying your own engagement ring - you are in love with marriage/wedding not your future spouse

4.  If you can only afford an engagement ring through a cc, you are not ready.  If you can't wait, buy a symbolic ring and go to JP

These are the few that come to mind.  I'm sure there are others.

Wanjie 

Thanks for your very intresting and  very enlightening post .

I recall going to a wedding of a daughter of one of my dear friends.  Remember when you read this, she WAS  a dear friend.  The wedding was over the top.  The amount of entrees was rediculous!  Everyone was commenting on the fact that there was just TOO MUCH of everything. In addition, black tie was required.  That meant that I had to buy an appropriate gown, my date had to pay to rent a tux.  There was an engagement party as well...another gift.  So, with all costs for ME and my DATE as guests, I had to cut back on the "wedding gift" because all associated costs were just too much for us to spend.  And, it was still  a generous gift.  My "dear friend" never spoke to me again.  I guess my gift was not enough to help cover the cost of our meal. 

The entire wedding was on a bank loan.  In the end, I believe this "show" was for the Mother of the Bride.  Knowing her, I knew her life was based on the "show".  She even frequently bashed her husband for not making enough money to support her need to show off.  So, I believe big weddings "for show", especially in this economy, are out of character.  The parents may be able to afford it, but the guests may not be able to cover the costs with their gifts.

I have never believed in LARGE WEDDINGS.Only because to me they are a waste of time and money.So many other things can be done,like saving for a rainy day,buying bonds,helping our service personnel and families,etc.

I have been to so many large let's spend what ever,it'sour day what the heck, and the next thing you and very one else knows,IT"S OVER.

So people i say,SAVE YOUR MONEY and DO SOMTHING BETTER with IT......

If they have the money,  I say go for it.  But if money is a factor,  there is nothing wrong with a simple wedding in church with a reception later should suffice.  Dave

After getting married a small celebration is nice, but i feel saving the money to  begin a new life together is much more important than a big wedding.  It will come in handy in the long run!

Money doesn't buy happiness, nor does a very expensive wedding guarantee that the marriage will last. Seems as though people are trying to out do each other with engagement parties, weddings, birthday parties, etc, etc, etc. Darlene

Yes,  I have to agree with you qg365 and Kris . ..    the same can be said for Birthday parties,  Christmas over-indulgence, etc.  anything that can be done simply and elegantly (home made) need not be blown out  of proportion to impress others.

I like minimalism.

Judy