[John 070]

Originally Posted by Nkc

I profited from my wedding. I paid for everything and in return, I got back a lot more in cash at the reception. I guess its a Chinese thing.

That's what I have heard, my Asian/Christian friends have said the same thing about a Christening. Because there are people who attend that are quite generous. I mean some real numbers, a friend said he paid like $1500 for a reception, yet some guests gave $400 and were just close friends. So do the math, it's a win-win for everybody. The gifts go to the baby, the parents do have to pay for the reception, but people get to enjoy one another's company, food, etc. It's a real positive aspect of the Asian culture imho.

The wedding as I have found on the other hand, there are people who RSVP and don't show, and also people who show up with extra people, and also who show up with no gift. lousy

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Lups

you just should have married me. I still can't believe why anyone would go trough it all.

My friend got married when my 335i was only 6 mos. old. Fancy schmancy who's who in the NYC legal field with 400 guests. I know it cost well over 100k. Anyway I refused to hand my car over to the valet and it was holding everybody up...meanwhile AMGs and Ferraris were behind me, and here I am with my poor little 3 series....

[Templar]

Same thing as someone else mentioned, budgeted about $20k and spent a tad over $30 (including the honeymoon).

Had about 150 guests at ours. Nothing extremely fancy, but definitely a good time. We actually got a couple of freebies from the venue we chose. The guy was a retired cop and had a fondness for military, so he gave us free booze at our rehearsal dinner (we asked for no alcohol there because of cost) and instead of closing the bar earlier because we couldn't afford it, he left it open throughout the whole reception... I definitely think that made it better!!

[radiofrequency]

Upwards of $150k was spent on my wedding and I am now divorced. Upon reflection of this expenditure, and not as a result of my divorce, I feel that this was a total waste of money. Don't get me wrong, it was an unforgettable experience, but for my second marriage I am planning something very simple, because really, for me, it's about her. A simple ceremony, with close (very close) family only at the beach or in the mountains, in a beautiful setting, seems more fitting. But then again, it's a personal decision, the worst though is when you feel pressure to satisfy others. In any event, congratulations!

[Whostheboss]

Originally Posted by nmehta211

indian weddings are a complete waste of money.

Let's just say a M6 Gran coupe could have been purchased by avoiding my upcoming wedding!

Originally Posted by Nkc

I profited from my wedding. I paid for everything and in return, I got back a lot more in cash at the reception. I guess its a Chinese thing.

Nigerian weddings are just as bad! Our weddings cost in average about ($US)40k

Originally Posted by radiofrequency

Upwards of $150k was spent on my wedding and I am now divorced. Upon reflection of this expenditure, and not as a result of my divorce, I feel that this was a total waste of money. Don't get me wrong, it was an unforgettable experience, but for my second marriage I am planning something very simple, because really, for me, it's about her. A simple ceremony, with close (very close) family only at the beach or in the mountains, in a beautiful setting, seems more fitting. But then again, it's a personal decision, the worst though is when you feel pressure to satisfy others. In any event, congratulations!

I'm with you 100% on this one.

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by radiofrequency

Upwards of $150k was spent on my wedding and I am now divorced. Upon reflection of this expenditure, and not as a result of my divorce, I feel that this was a total waste of money. Don't get me wrong, it was an unforgettable experience, but for my second marriage I am planning something very simple, because really, for me, it's about her. A simple ceremony, with close (very close) family only at the beach or in the mountains, in a beautiful setting, seems more fitting. But then again, it's a personal decision, the worst though is when you feel pressure to satisfy others. In any event, congratulations!

My GAWD.

I agree with a simple ceremony and very close friends. See my other thread hehe.

[pukicabuki]

Budgeted $10k....spent $11k.
~100 people
Nice buffet
Open bar
Good DJ
5 minute ceremony
4 hours of eating, drinking, having fun
It was basically a party

People said they had more fun at our wedding than they did at their $40k+ weddings.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by pukicabuki

Budgeted $10k....spent $11k.
~100 people
Nice buffet
Open bar
Good DJ
5 minute ceremony
4 hours of eating, drinking, having fun
It was basically a party

People said they had more fun at our wedding than they did at their $40k+ weddings.

I have no idea why people want to spend so much on a day. Good for you

[jaco]

In process now with me and the future wife. At a modest place in Indianapolis it is about $55 a head for a decent open bar and a nice dinner. Then you need to add the venue cost, finger foods and the 30% addition of tip and tax

In the end it is like $100 a head plus all of our costs to make it look nice...

WOOF.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by jaco

In process now with me and the future wife. At a modest place in Indianapolis it is about $55 a head for a decent open bar and a nice dinner. Then you need to add the venue cost, finger foods and the 30% addition of tip and tax

In the end it is like $100 a head plus all of our costs to make it look nice...

WOOF.

that's just insane.

[zx10guy]

Forget exactly how much we spent on our wedding. I think it was around $50k for everything including the honeymoon. The reception was for 60 to 70....can't remember. Had the reception on a chartered yacht for about 4 to 5 hours. Cruise company also did the plated food and open bar.

[chillbil79]

I spent my wedding money on a motorhome.

Still engaged. Baby on the way. Vacations a plenty.

We will get married eventually. Small venue on the beach.

Honeymoon in the RV
Keep it classy

[skydiver]

We got married in 2011. Here's the general breakdown. We didn't get too crazy.
Venue $13,514.59
DJ $600.00
Photographer $2,975.00
Preacher $200.00
Invitations $102.92
Rehearsal $450.00
Quartet $475.00
Florist $2,163.98
Lights $1,300.00
Stamps $100.00
Misc. $67.60
Sparklers $130.00
Cakes $990.00
Total $23,069.09

[MrPrena]

Yeah, I didn't get why photographers are so expensive. I understand it is pre-wedding photshoot+wedding+albums+etc, but 3000ish is steep. Plus wedding planner wanted me to tip the photographer $150-200.

However, my photographer was receiving lots of compliments on his equipment from people walking by.

Originally Posted by skydiver

We got married in 2011. Here's the general breakdown. We didn't get too crazy.
Venue $13,514.59
DJ $600.00
Photographer $2,975.00
Preacher $200.00
Invitations $102.92
Rehearsal $450.00
Quartet $475.00
Florist $2,163.98
Lights $1,300.00
Stamps $100.00
Misc. $67.60
Sparklers $130.00
Cakes $990.00
Total $23,069.09

[John 070]

Originally Posted by MrPrena

Yeah, I didn't get why photographers are so expensive. I understand it is pre-wedding photshoot+wedding+albums+etc, but 3000ish is steep. Plus wedding planner wanted me to tip the photographer $150-200.

However, my photographer was receiving lots of compliments on his equipment from people walking by.

We used a "chain" which was 1/2 the price of locals, and had two of them. There was no "pick which ones you want and pay", every photo they took was included on two DVDs. This was in Manhattan and I believe that it was like $2800. But two bodies for that price in NYC seemed ok based on some single indies wanting 4-5k.

Funny dj hated the venue mgr making them use the freight elevator, on the way out they just used the stairs and told the mgr to kiss off lol

I don't know if anyone mentioned alcohol. We had a connection to buy it tax free so we brought our own for 140 people. That saved a ton.

[rjpeaks]

something like $50 to 60K

8/8/98

wedding at the Moana Surfrider in Waikiki

did not include ring.

[Mr. Liu]

On a second note for you all - WHO paid for the wedding?

[davis449]

This thread, and others of the like I have read over the years, is one of the MANY reasons why I am NOT getting married.

[2011CrazE89]

Luckily for me my wife didn't want to start our marriage in debt. Just a few close friends and family and a couple thousand dollars we were married.

[nagisak31]

Originally Posted by davis449

This thread, and others of the like I have read over the years, is one of the MANY reasons why I am NOT getting married.

Thank you for your vast insight.

[davis449]

Originally Posted by nagisak31

Thank you for your vast insight.

Ok, you want insight? Here is just SOME. Take a marriage contract and everything it includes, the bonds it creates financially as well as the effects it has on assets. Get it all written up. Now remove the word "marriage" from it. Now you have a business contract...a Partnership. Take that to a lawyer, ANY lawyer and ask him/her if you should enter into such an arrangement. There isn't one on this planet that wouldn't straight up laugh at your stupidity or tell you to RUN, not walk, away.

Don't even start on pre-nups, they can be fought...

[Templar]

Originally Posted by Mr. Liu

On a second note for you all - WHO paid for the wedding?

Me.