To Wait or Not To Wait: That is the Question

[christiangirl]

Lots of people get married with a simple ceremony in their parents' yard or a good ol' trip down to the courthouse, then have a big shindig when they "renew their vows." That could be the next year or 5-10 years down the line. I think that's perfectly fine. A wedding should not put you in debt or make you flat broke. I used to want a big wedding but, now that I'm older, I think it's silly to take money that could be used for a down payment on a house or a nest egg for your kids' college fund. It's one thing if you have enough money to do both, but if it's a choice between one or the other.....

Personally, I want a low-key, inexpensive wedding (well, as "inexpensive" as a wedding gets--those things are pricey no matter how you spin it). It fits my personality better to have a smaller crowd and I'd rather our first huge financial commitment together be toward a house--or anything else that will last more than 6 hours.

[1stSoon2BePhD]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

I'd rather our first huge financial commitment together be toward a house--or anything else that will last more than 6 hours.

PERFECT. I couldn't have said it any better!

[Little32]

I would pay for the wedding that I could afford when I wanted to get married. Of course, I am more likely to go down the court house or jump on a plane for a destination wedding than to plan a big elaborate event.

I went to a friend's wedding about two years ago. It was small--about 50 people--and she didn't spend more than $5,000 and that included the reception, which was at a really nice restaurant that had a fabulous brunch.

It was one of the most beautiful and elegant weddings that I have seen.

[twinkle555]

Ive been dating my boyfriend for 5 years now and honestly I just wanna marry the kid lol. He has told me he wants to marry me too but here is the problem, he (and I quote) "wants everything to be perfect because that is what I deserve"...sooo idk if that means he wants a big expensive shindig or what (hmm I should ask..). Right now were both post-graduate 25yr olds so we don't have a ton of $$ to be spending. Since I'm so artsy/crafty, I plan on DIYing ALOOOT of stuff (invites, centerpieces, favors etc.) and not using a ton of flowers to cut down on costs.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

I'd rather our first huge financial commitment together be toward a house--or anything else that will last more than 6 hours.

This.

My husband and I were fortunate enough to be in a financial position to pay for exactly the wedding we wanted, when we wanted it. But if we hadn't had those resources, I think we would have just had a very small wedding when we wanted to get married. We then would have had a renewal of vows and an anniversary party five or ten years later. Better that than have The Perfect White Wedding and spend the first five or ten years of your marriage paying off all the debt you racked up.