Yeah, I don't really understand the point of spending hundreds of thousands on a wedding. Especially when some people do it on credit. If you have the money, then sure, it's good for the economy, but taking out a loan to throw a party sounds sort of insane to me.
INDEED!!
For our wedding we had a "student mentality" and did it on a budget, AND PAID CASH.
1. Had a friend make a cake that we decorated.
2. Went to the flower market in London the day before the wedding and bought flowers we liked that day
3. Did my own (minimal) make up
4. Had my bridesmaids do my hair. We made it up on the day.
5. Had the ceremony in the college chapel at DH's University in Cambridge. While we checking it out, some music student trumpeters were practicing, and we asked them if they would play at the wedding. We also asked if they had a friend who could sing Ave Maria. They did. They were all amazing especially the singer. They all got paid standard student minimum wage. We later found out that the signer had sung for the Queen of England a few weeks before.
6. My older brother drove me to the wedding and reception in my dad's vintage car that he had been restoring since before I was born.
7. The reception was held at a country house owned by the University so was at the "student rate".
8. The best man who is a serious musician played with his quartet as his wedding gift to us.
The next morning we were to fly out to an unknown (to me) destination, and to my HORROR my younger brother was the freshly minted pilot!!
It was fabulous, and really did not cost much, except the dress which I did buy (+ my DD wants to get married in the same dress if/when the time comes), and the food.
