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Why are most Americans so obsessed with huge family weddings? They aren't shy of people looking at them? Do they want publicity?
Or perhaps they would like to celebrate their wedding with the people they love and care about? I would say it's a pretty normal thing to desire to celebrate your wedding with your family and friends.
I never saw the sense in spending all that money on a big "fairy tale" wedding. It's money better-spent on a down payment for a house or a nice honeymoon. And I'm a woman.
I wouldn't spend too much money on a wedding, unless I or he was rich. I'd just rather get the whole thing done. But a lot of people want the world to know they are getting married and prefer large weddings. Others are looking for a stage and an audience.
I had a small wedding but in my opinion, still spent way too much. Blame the Wedding Channel on TV and shows like Platinum Weddings and Bridezillas for the increase in huge spectacle-like weddings in America over the past 10-20 years. People see weddings like those of Chelsea Clinton, Princess Kate and Prince William, et al and feel the need to replicate them. Also,brides to be and female guests love to "judge" weddings they have been to (see TV show 4 Weddings that has 4 brides judging each others weddings for the chance at a free honeymoon prize). If you think about it, how much of a good time you had at a wedding is REALLY a memory that lasts a lifetime (same goes if you went to a wedding where you had a bad time or got sick from the food, etc).
Its also a problem because vendors overcharge for basic services just because its a wedding. My photographer charges only $600 for a full day of services but when he does weddings, BOOM- his rate blew up to almost $2,000. My catering hall charges more for weddings than retirement parties, christenings, etc. The price of a wedding gown alone can run a bride several thousand dollars, easily. Its a Mod cut: foul language. scam i tell you.
My husband and I eloped, but planned on having a wedding down the road (actually we had booked a place for 11/11/11), but my parents divorced, mother was very bitter, and so we just cancelled the whole thing. It kind of sucks because I did want to share that with my family and do the wedding thing, but it would have been a small one and hopefully not too expensive!
Is family really that important to most people? A lot certain people would say that elopement is a sign of shame, regret, and later divorce.
Why are most Americans so obsessed with huge family weddings? They aren't shy of people looking at them? Do they want publicity?
And why do people try to discourage their shy friends or family members from eloping?
Respondents so far have given their personal opinions on wedding expenses but, to address your original question, "Why do people prefer big weddings over small ones or eloping?", who says that they do? Do you have statistics to back up the assumption? Just curious.
A lot of weddings start small, then family members get involved. Or the bride or groom can't afford things so the parents take over. It becomes what they want.
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. My catering hall charges more for weddings than retirement parties, christenings, etc. The price of a wedding gown alone can run a bride several thousand dollars, easily. Its a Mod cut: foul language. scam i tell you.
