We spent $25k on our wedding 14 years ago. Best $25k ever spent. I wish we’d spent a little more. We talked about doing something in the in-laws’ backyard for $3k, but we decided we wanted something else. My brother eloped for close to nothing and then did a party a year later. I’ve also been to a wedding that easily cost more than $100k, and could have been $250k. Three separate ballrooms, three separate bands, open bar at the reception and dinner, steak and lobster and chicken for 350 guests, unlimited DOM Perignon, amazing flowers.
The thing is, a wedding should be what the bride and groom want and can afford. We wanted $25k, and we saved up to do that. It was awesome. I was a little miffed that my brother and his wife invited only my mom and stepdad and her parents to their wedding, but hey, it’s their wedding. The fancy wedding was amazing - and a little stuffy and pretentious at times, but when you’re putting on a show for all your rich friends, that’s the way it sometimes is. In the end, it’s about the two people pledging themselves to each other. If they want simple, great. If they want fairy tale and can have it, great. People at our wedding told us they had no idea we could throw such a fun party - totally worth it.