[Fidelia]

There are variations of marriages now that save money big time. We have the parlour wedding in my place. And also, the office wedding.

[Uty Theo]

Even if I have so much money, I won't do a society wedding just to feel good. I would rather use the money to invest in something productive.

[Jem Smith]

The cheapest way to do it is at the registary office (or courthouse, whatever it is where you live). In Australia you would need at least 2 witnesses, so a minimum of 5 people there (the couple, the celebrant and 2 witnesses). The witnesses can be friends or family. Technically you could grab any 2 random people off the street but that might be a problem if you later needed to find them to prove the ceremony happened. With the paperwork and paying the celebrant, modest rings (those are optional too, you can skip that part of the ceremony if you want) you can probably keep it down to about $2000 (still not nothing, but a lot less than most weddings here cost).

A friend of mine got married at the registry office and the reception was just a party at her flat for about 20 friends. It was her second wedding though. I understand wanting more people there, especially if you have a big family.

Another way to make it cheaper is having a small ceremony with not many guests, then a bigger party afterwards with more. You could cater cheaply by having a BBQ or something. It doesn't have to be formal.

[Pistis]

The way people in my country spend on weddings always gets me wondering if they have financial management. Someone is in debts that would take three years to pay off all because of a wedding.

[JASPREET]

I think its only in India where people take loan for a big wedding

[Nsikan]

I think its only in India where people take loan for a big wedding

People still take loans for weddings. They rent government type halls. A wedding that doesn't last beyond 2 hours.

[Kalayla]

I think we ladies are the major proponents of going outside your financial reach to hold a big wedding. If we can be real with our men, they would appreciate. Men generally do big weddings to make their brides happy. Good brides know that there is a life beyond a 2 hour wedding ceremony.

[Uty Theo]

Even if a man that wants to marry me wants to spend big on wedding, I would tell him to give me the money. I would take it and invest.

[JASPREET]

Even if a man that wants to marry me wants to spend big on wedding, I would tell him to give me the money. I would take it and invest.

This tells me you are so smart and value money and I feel everyone should think like you

[Tinni]

I have made a personal commitment that I won't exceed $500 by a penny in all expenses for my wedding and marriage. It doesn't yield tangible returns.

[Vehlijanta]

It's better to not spend unnecessarily but some people feel it's a one time event so they like to make it special

[SHAHID987]

Here people those who are extra rich, they spend a lot of money specially in marriage ceremony. Mehndi, Bridal shower and too many other gathering they arrange which a normal individual can't expect. So by spending average money for marriage, one can save his extra money.

[eldavis]

A lot of people today tend to assume a wedding is only a wedding when they do it big. They fail to understand that there is life after marriage, they end up going into debts after the marriage. Cut your coat according to your size, rather than trying to please others.

[oldbuddy]

We were married in 1971 with just us and the clergy with my sister as a wittness. Then we drove to Portland and spent the night in a Motel Six after a nice dinner out. It must have been enough, because six kids and 13 grandkids later we are still married.

[Kalayla]

We were married in 1971 with just us and the clergy with my sister as a wittness. Then we drove to Portland and spent the night in a Motel Six after a nice dinner out. It must have been enough, because six kids and 13 grandkids later we are still married.

I seriously covet this wedding model and I would like to emulate it. To think you guys are still together is surreal. Kudos

[oldbuddy]

We were married in 1971 with just us and the clergy with my sister as a wittness. Then we drove to Portland and spent the night in a Motel Six after a nice dinner out. It must have been enough, because six kids and 13 grandkids later we are still married.

I seriously covet this wedding model and I would like to emulate it. To think you guys are still together is surreal. Kudos

It's simple if you both want the same thing and keep that in mind.

[Jem Smith]

I think its only in India where people take loan for a big wedding

No, that happens in other countries too. Maybe not quite as much though. Indian weddings are impressive.

[King Belieal]

Societal pressure and the need to impress is the major reasons people spend so much money on weddings. If you can defy social pressure, you would save money.

[Presh]

I don't know how they would re program the society to throw away the mindset of spending big money on weddings. It's a societal thing and it's not helping people grow financially.

[Nsikan]

It is all about the two persons understanding that the wedding is just an event not related to the marriage itself. Don't kill yourself with debts because of a wedding.