Based on the fact that at least 80% of America today is in
debt, why wouldn't eloping be suitable?

Once the couple has paid off a significant amount of their
debts and saved up enough money, wouldn't they be able
to afford a fancy wedding at a later time?

If it is acceptable to buy her a gold band instead of a diamond,
then a simple ceremony for the couple to elope should be just
as suitable as well :)

Ladies and Gentlemen let's hear from all of you :toast:


one

pd

well i thinks as much as the two people want.....but after all you dont marry the dress or the patry.............
but....the person

pd..I'd have to say I think it would be totally up to the two people involved...but considering the money that can be spent on having a big wedding with all the trimmings, I think it's much nicer to have a small, close family gathering that is not as formal...like getting married in a nice garden or park, by the sea etc...with everyone sharing a simple meal and enjoying each others company....I know a lot of women today want their big day to be special, but I think it can be special without all the expense....personally I was married by a marriage celebrant in a court house office and then my husband and I along with 11 close friends and relatives had dinner at a lovely restaurant with a guitarist playing songs by request...it was a beautiful, intimate way to celebrate our marriage... we did this because we were just starting our lives together and had been working toward setting up our first home which we were able to do if we did not have an expensive wedding...I realise this isn't every girls dream wedding, but it worked for me.....

K

in todays time and so much hardship at hand
i feel the two can get married with family & friendz
for far less and have a very romantic honeymoon

sure most would love that glamor type wedding
but for me something simple and sweet will work
why pay a arm & leg for a few hours

Elmo

as with all things in life,(with one exception), love is no exception..there is no guarantee...

K

Elmo i agree with you here
truely love has no guarantee
that's why many people get married at city halls
and small family weddings
now you hit some key points
marriage comes with hope & togetherness as well as
emotional feelings ..

yes love has no price or tag !
it's very open that we look into the pocket
but being their before i also looked into the
true meaning of vows and to secure the bond
we pose upon , as well the compassionate ,emotional & safe harbor of us both
but yes it's true we all look at the cost and some seek savings
and others look to a beautiful honeymoon away so they spend
less to be wedd.

I think a wedding should be a personal event. It should reflect the personalities of the couple. Both the woman and man should participate in the planning. One of the loveliest and most sentimental weddings I attended was at an old historic African church on Dafuskie Island near Hilton Head. The traditional "Gullah" reception held outside was wonderful.

I attended a wedding like a Broadway show and just as expensive. Then the couple went to live in an apartment.

Eloping seems to be most suitable, for ma, neway. After that I'd have an "announcement party" and announce that I just got married.

A couple should spend a few dollars on a wedding and the rest of their lives on a marriage.

yes indeed most of all is the love two has bonded unto a life
together as mates and don't have to spend a mint to do it in
but a billion to keep it together as husband & wife
this has become a on going study ....

I'd like to either marry on a beach or marry at the Venitian Hotel in Vegas.

I would never spend thousands of dollars on a wedding ceremony, that money could be used to buy me and my husband something we could enjoy together.

Several people spend so much money on the wedding that they actual begin their union in debt. And ironically divorce shortly there after.

I feel big huge weddings are for SHOW.

THE AVERAGE COST OF AN AMERICAN WEDDING IS $19,000.00. A $19,000.00 BILL RIGHT OFF THE BAT. IT'S HILARIOUS TO ME THAT ONE OF THE TOP REASONS FOR DIVORCE IS MONEY. YET, MOST WOMEN WANT A HUGE PRODUCTION FEATURING HER AS THE STAR. WHEN I GET MARRIED, I WANT IT TO BE ME, HER, A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE, A PRIEST AND MOON LIT NIGHT IN THE CARRIBEAN.

THAT'S MY "BIG" OPINION.

I hear you bigtown ........what is the less amount of money you can pay
for a nice wedding and very suitable for both mates without falling in debt????
can 3,500.00 do it ????
and why pay from 1,500.00 to over 2,000.00 for a wedding dress for one day
a few hours anyway ....can it be rented ???? like tux do??

Not every woman feels the need to spend a whole lot of money. I didn't have a big wedding years ago, so now that I'm older and better understand the value of a dollar...I definitely wouldn't now. As far as a gown goes, there are places where you can buy a nice one for under 500.00...LOL...No, I'm not cheap, I just don't like to waste money.

My wife and I had 2 beautiful custom made African wedding outfits for $500 (if I had a scanner, I'd download them). If you do some research, you can save a lot of money on a wedding! Just watch the reception cost...that is where we spent a lot of money!

One thing we should be aware of though is that ellaborate weddings is actually part of our culture, our culture meaning African. In Africa many weddings are celebrated for a week or more! The newlyweds attend celebration parties which can last days on end! A wedding is a blessed event, which is cause for celebration! Unfortunately because of the price associated with weddings, it is not always possible to celebrate in the manner, which it deserves. However again with creative thinking the event can be given the grandeur it deserves, at an affordable price.

I want to spend about 25,000 to 50,000 dollars on my wedding, I believe that it is a special time and should be treated as such. I do not think everyone has to spend lavishly on a wedding, but it will be my first and hopefully last so I will make it one to remember and one to cherish.

Me and my wife will not be in debt after the wedding either, I have already been saving up before the weddding even tho I have not found her yet -).

I want to spend about 25,000 to 50,000 dollars on my wedding, I believe that it is a special time and should be treated as such. I do not think everyone has to spend lavishly on a wedding, but it will be my first and hopefully last so I will make it one to remember and one to cherish.

Me and my wife will not be in debt after the wedding either, I have already been saving up before the weddding even tho I have not found her yet -).


A WEDDING THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE IS PART OF YOUR BUDGET?

Yes I am budgeting so that in the event it happens, I will have the proper money and if not, God made IRA's for a reason.

I really enjoy watching the wedding show on TLC and I like and want a lavish wedding. Morso than the lady. It will be the biggest day of my life, and it will be so in style, glamour and glitz, but the real meaning of the lavish wedding will be to show externally the lavish love that we have for each other in our hearts, minds and spirits.

Me myself, I would never spend alot of money on a wedding. I have never wanted a big wedding because I think it's a waste of money and it's just a big show for family and friends. I think it's more important to the woman to have a big, flashy, costly wedding. I mean, everyone has their own taste and no ones is better than the next, I just couldn't see myself dropping a load of cash on something that only last a couple of hours. What we do after the wedding means more than the ceremony. There are alot of people that spend tons of money for a marriage that isn't really based on real love then they divorce and hate eachother. There's no way of knowing either, so why invest so much money in it. I'd rather put the money towards trying to make the rest of our lives easier and more enjoyable.

I feel you kente, but by the time I have my wedding, it will be a tax write off because I will probably do some work in it and claim to be a small buisness owner and apply some pimping.

so I will get the lavish wedding and the 25,000 to 50,000 Tax break, hell I might even try to write it off as a chartiy event.

I feel you kente, but by the time I have my wedding, it will be a tax write off because I will probably do some work in it and claim to be a small buisness owner and apply some pimping.

so I will get the lavish wedding and the 25,000 to 50,000 Tax break, hell I might even try to write it off as a chartiy event.

I knew there had to be a catch. LOL.

My first wedding wasn't lavish. And if I ever get married again, that one probably won't be lavish, either. Yeah, the whole family/celebration thing sounds good, but you can always have a big party AFTER the wedding ceremony.

wasted money too me the value is centered around how outstanding
it is and not the pure love of heart and the morals of these vows is why
so many end in destruction spending all that cash for a marriage is crazy
to me a common wedding and nice reception where everyone is happy and
enjoying self is all it takes

so what is the right amount or type of ring to buy for this bondmentship?????
do you get a 1/2 karet one karet or smaller or bigger ???
do you get Gold or platinum maybe silver ???
what is the best value price for a RING to wedd ?
do you see it worth it and do it hold great meanings to a couple
to cherish forever or is the deeper meanings of a ring just a symbol???

Correct answer? Spend what you have budgeted.... let your family do the spending! That's the key. You got two families! Then, when you get the gifts back, get rid of what you don't want and get the money refunds! YOu can make a lot of money getting married! Divorces only cost $75 here and there. Act ugly enough and the spouse will drop you at any cost! Get married again. Get the refund from the gifts. Man, do this over and over... you could make a grip!