Why do so many people spend so much money on weddings?

[bad kitty]

Seriously here. I mean I understand if you are rich and or spoiled and the money is overabundant to waste, but why do real people spend years saving and taking loans and planning a wedding? Wouldn't these thousands of dollars be better spent on bills, or as a down payment for a house? You can easily have a nice wedding fro under $2000, or even $1000 dollars.

I have seen several occasions where somuch time, money and effort was putinto the wedding that once it was over there was nothign left to look forward to. They had spent so much energy on the wedding that they forgot what it was all about.

It just seems like a serious waste to me...

 

[Guest]

It's sort of an expectaion.

 

[bad kitty]

It's sort of an expectaion.

But why does it matter? I mean seriously, does the opinion of others matter that much? Not to me, obviously.

 

[Guest]

Arguing the established practices is pointless.

 

[riff]

My sister is getting married in October.

My dad told me the wedding dress she's getting cost $3000. "For one day..." he said, "but what am I supposed to do?"

I understand it.... I think..... LOL

 

[bad kitty]

It's just a conspiracy. (soudning like LanceWAVE now) They make these dresses and put a rediculous price on them. I know it doesn't take near that much to make them.

 

[Guest]

Or remove them. Or step on them and tear them.

 

[Olivianna]

It's a historical tradition - a display of conspicuous consumption that serves to advertise the wealth of the bride's family. What's most interesting, to me, is how this economic exercise has coalesced so nicely with 20th and 21st century expectations about romance and true love (e.g. expensive flowers = romantic paradise, etc.).

 

[Rubyfruit]

Ultimately, my mom wanted to.

 

[bad kitty]

Or remove them. Or step on them and tear them.

huh?

 

[bad kitty]

It's a historical tradition - a display of conspicuous consumption that serves to advertise the wealth of the bride's family. What's most interesting, to me, is how this economic exercise has coalesced so nicely with 20th and 21st century expectations about romance and true love (e.g. expensive flowers = romantic paradise, etc.).

True it is, but aren't people smart enough to see past that now?

 

[Guest]

I know it doesn't take near that much to make them.

Or step on them and tear them. Or remove them.

 

[bad kitty]

Or step on them and tear them. Or remove them.

Ummmm, why would somene do that?

 

[DevilBoy79]

Seriously here. I mean I understand if you are rich and or spoiled and the money is overabundant to waste, but why do real people spend years saving and taking loans and planning a wedding? Wouldn't these thousands of dollars be better spent on bills, or as a down payment for a house? You can easily have a nice wedding fro under $2000, or even $1000 dollars.

I have seen several occasions where somuch time, money and effort was putinto the wedding that once it was over there was nothign left to look forward to. They had spent so much energy on the wedding that they forgot what it was all about.

It just seems like a serious waste to me...

1 its expected and 2 you better bet your pants i am going to spend all i can, possible on innocent's and my wedding, things must be as perfect as possible, after all it only happens once (for most people), also luv the AV very cute the baby belly and all

 

[Guest]

Ummmm, why would somene do that?

You've never been to a wedding, have you. You've got this mega-expensive dress with a long thing dragging on the ground, and by the end of the night it's all dirty from dragging on the ground, and people step on it all night.

Then, you whip it off, fuck like bunnies, and never look at it again.

 

[bad kitty]

Re: Re: Why do so many people spend so much money on weddings?

1 its expected and 2 you better bet your pants i am going to spend all i can, possible on innocent's and my wedding, things must be as perfect as possible, after all it only happens once (for most people, and those bitter fools who's been through it more times then the earth revolved around the sun can kiss my rainbow colored ass )

Who cares if it is expected? Are the ones expecting it gonna pay for it? Why should you let other's expectations start your marriage off on the wrong foot in debt? Why not be smart and use the money for a house?

Also why try to make one event as perfect as possible when you can use that energy and effort to make your lives together better?

And as for your last statement, I have only been married once thank you, and I don't really plan on getting married a second time unless bigamy is legalized.

 

[Olivianna]

True it is, but aren't people smart enough to see past that now?

I don't know how much intelligence has to do with it. I think it takes a dash of cynicism and a scoop of criticism to reject such traditions. We may be able to reduce certain "normal" practices to just economics and anthropology, but that doesn't necessarily mean that those same practices aren't meaningful for some. Perhaps a couple really enjoys the idea of constructing a wedding paradise (or the illusion of), which happens to come with a huge price tag - they enjoy the prospect of spending a lot of money for such an aim, so why knock it?

 

[Guest]

I don't know how much intelligence has to do with it. I think it takes a dash of cynicism and a scoop of criticism to reject such traditions. We may be able to reduce certain "normal" practices to just economics and anthropology, but that doesn't necessarily mean that those same practices aren't meaningful for some. Perhaps a couple really enjoys the idea of constructing a wedding paradise (or the illusion of), which happens to come with a huge price tag - they enjoy the prospect of spending a lot of money for such an aim, so why knock it?

Yep.

You know, one could take a similar approach to long established religious traditions too. But they don't.

 

[bad kitty]

I don't know how much intelligence has to do with it. I think it takes a dash of cynicism and a scoop of criticism to reject such traditions. We may be able to reduce certain "normal" practices to just economics and anthropology, but that doesn't necessarily mean that those same practices aren't meaningful for some. Perhaps a couple really enjoys the idea of constructing a wedding paradise (or the illusion of), which happens to come with a huge price tag - they enjoy the prospect of spending a lot of money for such an aim, so why knock it?

True... I just don't see why they aren't smart about it and use the money for something long lasting.... like a house. Wedding paraphernalia has been so outrageously priced it is a rip off. Plus this whole wedding favors thingy. Like people are really gonna keep them and cherish them? Why waste the money?

 

[bad kitty]

Yep.

You know, one could take a similar approach to long established religious traditions too. But they don't.

Elaborate please.

 

[Ladyhawke]

My wedding I'm pretty sure didn't even cost $1000 including my dress and it was just as nice as ones I'd been to where thousands were spent.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

 

[Olivianna]

I suppose, as well, that most people assume that their upcoming wedding will be the prelude for a long-lasting marriage, and therefore they don't see anything wrong with pouring their expenses into the ceremony and reception. I mean, how often does one expect to get married, anyway? And one can't argue with the idea that a wedding is a more meaningful ritual than that monthly mortgage payment.

 

[bad kitty]

My wedding I'm pretty sure didn't even cost $1000 including my dress and it was just as nice as ones I'd been to where thousands were spent.

See, that's what i am talking about. Sure I had a $1000 dress, but we got it on sale for like maybe $300 or $500. Looking back though the money would have been better spent on bills...