The Price Of Love

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Thu, 2003-08-07 08:24

The Price Of Love

How things have changed since that fateful day in 1971! The Office of National Statistics estimates that the average wedding now costs over £25,000! Manv couples now start married life with loans or large overdrafts incurred by the cost of their 'big day'. Apparently only 12% of couples now expect their parents or in-laws to make contributions to the bill. For many, a shortfall in the wedding purse can mean facing up to the bleak prospect of having to compromise on certain aspects of their dream day. The honeymoon destination is the most likely victim with 36 per cent saying they would scale down their plans to save money. A surprising 15% said they would not go on a honey-moon at all.

My 'committal proceedings' cost me the grand sum of £1.25p, and that was for the marriage licence. We didn't have a honeymoon partly because we had no money and anyway I was still nursing the sore shins I received in the registry office for being late. I'm still waiting for a refund as I never got value for money.

My sons wedding last month cost several thousand pounds by all accounts though I was told I wasn't expected to chip in. It still cost me though; kids always do. I can't believe that people will mortgage their future for a piss-up.

Fri, 2003-08-08 04:37

justyn_thyme

I think my parent's 'wedding,' if you could call it that, cost $2. That was in 1943, and covered the marriage license, the court house fee for the Justic of the Peace, and the mandatory blood test to prove that neither party had a STD. No very romantic, that.

Fri, 2003-08-08 12:29

sabelle

A good idea though Justyn Cheap. cheerful & practical

Thu, 2003-08-07 09:59

Titsy

You get what you pay for.

Thu, 2003-08-07 10:17

Sadie

My wedding cost about 10/6, but it was still wasted money. It was only for appearances which you needed in those days.

Thu, 2003-08-07 10:24

mississippi

For a change you're wrong Titsy, some people get more than they pay for and some a lot less, it depends on how gullible you are and how good your judgement is. I'm crap in all areas where women are concerned.

Thu, 2003-08-07 13:42

sabelle

The price of love is 14 years wasted, 3 wonderful & a soured a relationship. But then I am embittered.

Thu, 2003-08-07 15:59

Tara

Mine cost about £700, four years ago - so very cheap by current standards. Registry office followed by lunch in the pub and later karaoke on Brighton Pier. We didn't ask our families to contribute but they did anyway. It's important to have a wedding you can enjoy but the prospect of lifelong debt is a bad start to any marriage as far as I can see. Still waiting for the honeymoon though ...

Thu, 2003-08-07 16:24

Tony Cook

My eldest daughter is getting married on August 30th with all the works. 120 for a sit down meal and 250 for a knees up in the evening in deepest Devon. It won't cost me £25,000 although it does cost a fair old bit. As far as I'm concerned this is the lot - how on earth do these people get to £25k+ - it defeats me!

Thu, 2003-08-07 16:36

#10

Jonsys

In the 50's a marriage licence cost 7/6 pence - the same price as a dog licence. They were hard decisions in those days

Thu, 2003-08-07 16:40

#11

marchioness

i'd rather go around the world (twice probably) than spend that much money on a wedding. what's the point of spending that much money for one day of your life when you could spread it out to loads of excellent days abroad. spose it's all about sharing your lurve with your family and friends or some such nonsense.

Thu, 2003-08-07 16:58

#12

mississippi

I think it's all about competing with the celebrity spreads in Hello. It's a bit like the American soaps, they make ordinary people feel like rejects so they feel obliged to make a big show.

Thu, 2003-08-07 18:38

#13

gail

as soon as you say the "wedding" word you get charged double. I have tried to organise a party without saying "wedding" but in the end I knew the white dress bit would give it away...

Thu, 2003-08-07 21:37

#14

Vicky

The thing which gets me is not the people who spend a fortune on their weddings because that's natural, I mean they want it to be a fairytale day to remeber and if you can afford it... why the hell not? No, what gets me are the people who say they can't afford to get married. I've got a friend who 'couldn't afford to get married' cause she was pregant. And then when her son was 3 and they had saved enough money she was just going to do the deed when Bam she was pregnant again and could no longer 'afford' to get married. I mean the wedding day is just a celebration of the important act, which is the actual weddig right? I mean it IS about more than just that day isn't it? Maybe people can't always afford the day of their dreams but ANYONE can afford to get married. Besides putting off being married beacuse you're pregnant is just crazy, I could have sworn it should be the other way around.

Thu, 2003-08-07 23:41

#15

Marge Droops

Putting off being pregnant because you're married?

Fri, 2003-08-08 02:06

#16

Grec

Our wedding package is costing £1500, plus cost of registrar (200ish) suit(I need a new one for work anyway!)/dress, cake. A mate is doing photos for a song. I thought that was expensive! It's a lovely venue, we could only get it for that price for a Thursday wedding (but it's the Thursday before Good Friday, so a decent piss-up is possible). Karen and I had a blazing row because I think it's enough that the guests get a nice feed, bucks fizz reception drink, disco and ceremony spectacle for free; and now she's decided everyone should have a drink of champers to "toast" us as well. (What a load of cobblers, why can't they buy their own f**king drink to toast us? Do they want the shirt off my back too?) We can get bottles of real champagne from Aldi (don't laugh - it's quite nice!) for a tenner. Add £8 corkage per bottle, you're talking a few quid for 100 people. Originally, this wedding idea was about us - get married abroad, spend the money on us, f**k everyone else. What happened? And am I tight? She thinks so.

Fri, 2003-08-08 02:10

#17

Grec

It's not abroad now, tho. In a nice part of Lancs. Package also includes bridal suite: pretty sweet deal, innit.

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