The Cost of Marriage

Wedding costs are ridiculously insane. I've come to the conclusion there is no simple, cheap wedding unless it's an afternoon wedding with only immediate family.

We're throwing a huge party for our family and friends, and it's exciting to be able to offer this as a token of appreciation for their support. That is, in a way, what it is. Although it's a celebration of our union, it's also a gift.

We first set a budget of $5,000. Then we set a budget of $6,000. Now I know it's spilling over, and it bothers me. Even though this is one of the cheapest weddings in America compared to the norm, I still don't want to spend $7,000 on a wedding. We've gotten a lot of support which has been amazing, but there's still the financial stress that I wish was never a part of wedding planning.

I love what we're planning and I'm going to love the memories we get to take from it. Sometimes I just find part of myself still wishing we could of just had a courthouse wedding and a small celebration with friends and family, and then off to our honeymoon.

There's always these two sides fighting, one side saying, "No! Do it simple, cheap, it's who you are, it's your style!" The other part of me says, "It's not your style, it's your comfort zone. You want this wedding, you both need to take this outward step out in your relationship in front of your family and friends. You want this night in this amazing location with dinner, drinks, and dancing. It'll be worth it." I know it'll be worth it, the sad thing is if money wasn't an issue, I'd be much more excited instead of wavering back and forth. 

Short engagements are great for a lot of reasons, the most important one being that we're both more than ready. I don't regret how we're doing our wedding at all, but my advice to any other bride with a 3 month engagement: unless you have all the money, have a very simple, cheap wedding.