Marriage...expensive or just the wedding?

you should get at least a dozen "winner" ribbon.

its ok I this is a marriage and wedding thread not a funeral one.

I think the royal family have a lot to answer for popularising big lavish weddings even though many of them got divorced later. I was thinking about Princess Dianas and Prince Charles wedding where she had a twenty five foot long train, huge pouffy skirt and puff sleeves.

Their sons had popular royal weddings to broadcast to millions and no expense spared. Princess Kate was a party planner, and ex Princess Meghan had dramas over her father NOT giving her away or even showing up. I read a book about their wedding and the last chapters were basically ads for all the wedding paraphenalia they used from centre pieces to jewellery to flowers to calligraphy invites, wine and cutlery.

Taxpayers paid for all that?!

One thing I learned from reading the book (called Something New) is she gushed over finding a bridal gown with pockets. Well anyone ordinary would have found a dress and if it didnt have pockets would have sewn some in.
But I think women seem to expect all outfits come ready made to fit these days. You cant expect to buy a gown off the rack and have it fit perfectly especially if its bridal or evening wear.

I am not sure why the trend is for wedding gowns to look like evening wear (if the wedding is during the day) and the strapless mermaid look which requires ingenious undergarments to hold it all up.

Most weddings are held in spring when the flowers are out but there is only a short season when they are their best otherwise the cost of getting flowers goes way up since they have to be delivered from half way round the world. I dont know if brides these days ever consider it. But I heard that for some families, no expense should be spared for their princess.

Apparently NZs former prime minister still hasnt had her wedding because of covid etc and had to keep cancelling her wedding venue. She has a 5 year old daughter now. There was a big sotoush in the media about her cancelling a venue and the owners complained it left them put of pocket. We have a business to run! they claim...but someone has every right to cancel a booking if they give enough notice. The hospitality industry cant complain when people dont want to utilise them if they make it so expensive and dependent on weddings to keep them afloat.

dont get me started on the funeral industry! lol

I often come across couples who arent married but just live together, and they might be together for many years, even have children and buy a house together. But they just arent married. And when I ask why, the most common reason given is its too expensive to get married.

Is it really?

And sometimes its even christian believers who say this.

So how are we to think of marriage is it only for the rich? Only if the hsuband is willing to provide for his household, what does this say about people who dont marry yet live like they are married. They are too poor? Can weddings be cheaper or why not just register at an office. Or does it all need to be done in church. Why is it so expensive? People say they'd rather spend the money on a house. But what does that say about priorities? Have a wedding, be married and be homeless, or not marry and have a roof over your head. Can one have both?

I often come across couples who arent married but just live together, and they might be together for many years, even have children and buy a house together. But they just arent married. And when I ask why, the most common reason given is its too expensive to get married.

Is it really?

And sometimes its even christian believers who say this.

So how are we to think of marriage is it only for the rich? Only if the hsuband is willing to provide for his household, what does this say about people who dont marry yet live like they are married. They are too poor? Can weddings be cheaper or why not just register at an office. Or does it all need to be done in church. Why is it so expensive? People say they'd rather spend the money on a house. But what does that say about priorities? Have a wedding, be married and be homeless, or not marry and have a roof over your head. Can one have both?