60s Wedding Gown
Wedding Article by Jordan
Wedding article
Borrowing a bucket of cash to pay for your big day might seem loony…until you’re the one getting married. Does it really make sense? When Min Lee’s boyfriend Ryan was down on one knee, nervously proffering an engagement ring, she admits the very first thing that popped into her head was, “That ring just will not do.” After finally saying “Yes”, the couple headed to jeweler to get a new ring made, and that, says Min Lee was, when the wedding madness began.
A year later, she and Ryan had taken out a loan of $60,000 in plus forked out another $20,000 in savings and money from their parents to fund their “dream day”. The really frightening thing? They’re not alone.
As the average age of girls getting married rises to 29 (guys to 32), the general cost of weddings has also increased to somewhat baffling figures. A recent online survey showed that brides are spending 4 percent more on their weddings now than they were just a few years ago, with average price tag for the big day locked in at just under $40, 000.
If you think that’s a low, consider this: Couples today are paying for the majority of the wedding themselves, with 75 percent forking out cash and another 87 percent using their savings to fund for the big day.
So what’s the motivation behind these expensive celebrations?
“I think people just want to have a really good day,” says Min Lee. “I waited such a long time to find my Mr. Right and, when he finally came along, I wanted to celebrate.”
Kathy Apostolidis, wedding planner for Events by Nightingales in NSW, Australia, says the trend for extravagant nuptials is certainly on the rise. “There are definitely more luxury inclusions,” she reveals. “Sometimes the guest numbers are decreased so the bride and groom can have a better venue, or have more decorative elements included.”
Min Lee admits to doing just that, “My wedding was definitely OTT. But probably the most excessive thing I did was getting three wedding dresses and performing a different dance in each one. They cost about $4, 000 to $ 5,000 each.”
But the splurging didn’t stop there. Min Lee and Ryan splashed out on replica Posh and Becks thrones to sit on. “In retrospect, I guess they looked a bit silly at the venue, but I really wanted to feel like a princess,” she admits ruefully. “One of the most expensive costs was my personal wedding assistant. She dealt with all my friends, bridesmaid – even my mum – in the lead-up to the event. I basically got her to talk to everyone first, so I wouldn’t stress out. She was expensive,” Min Lee adds, “but totally worth it.” Throw in the release of white doves; the flights and the accommodation costs for relatives, flights for oversea friends; lavish gifts for the bridal party; matching personalized chocolate and champagne fountains and the honeymoon in Europe, and you’re looking at a cool $80, 000 price tag.
According to Apostolidis, when it comes to OTT weddings, it’s usually the bride who sets the pace. “She has a very clear picture of what she wants for the look of her nuptials.”
But counselor and author Dr. Charmaine Saunders says it’s imperative the relationship doesn’t get lost in the whirlwind of the big day. “The most crucial aspect of getting married, of course, is the relationship. Pre-wedding counseling is essential so, the romance doesn’t cloud the harder reality of marriage and its challenges.”
But both Dr. Saunders and Apostolidis are quick to defend bling-bling weddings, saying that a huge price tag isn’t necessary compensating for something. “I don’t think it means the couple doesn’t have true love,” says Apostolidis. “[A big, flashy wedding] is a conscious decision to create a huge party showcasing the bride and groom’s style – they want to share this with their family and friend.”
Dr. Saunders believes the motivation for extravagance doesn’t initially come from the bride herself – it’s society in that’s “creating the monster.”
“Society puts a big emphasis on the ceremony, gowns, flowers, etc, so couples are pressured into spending a lot of money. Sure, it’s an important occasion, but going into debt over it doesn’t seem like a smart move. The main aspects of the day itself should be love, sharing with family and friends, and making a public declaration of the promises to each other. At a wedding, fun is more important than luxury.”
And the saddest reality? Sometimes the wedding debt lasts longer than the marriage. Min Lee and Ryan have since split, but still share the repayments for their big day.
“Yes, we’re still paying it off, and our divorce was official last year,” Min Lee explains. “I try not to think of it that way when the bank statement arrives each month; I just try to remember that it was important to me at the time and that I threw a party that really made an impression. Yes, I’d do it all over again.”
About the Author
Jordan has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in skin care, nutrition, and healthy skin, you can also check out latest website about
Antique U.S. MapsWhich reviews and lists the best
Antique maps prints
1960s Vintage Bridal Gown at www.etsy.com/shop/GiRLStreetVintage
