$15,000 for your wedding or $5,000 to elope which would you choose?

I can't see it either - even if - when - I get rich one day. OR spending several hundred or thousand or shoes and clothes - on one item or pair. I'll probably still shop in thrift stores - I still think its the best place to find a variety of different clothes - and likely I'll shop on Ebay because I can find vintage clothes on their too - decades older then thrift stores that maybe go back to the eightees - never the fiftees or earlier. I love old opera coats and those old nurses cloaks from like WWII, it be neat to have those. Gunne Sax dresses and blouses - not the more peasanty stuff. Anyway, 5,000 on clothes that will go out of style next season or on one day of your life is just not worth it to me. Peace, my friend.

That's sweet, nmhschic - and practical. Weddings are about announcing to the world that is your friends and family that you love this person and want to spend all of your days together and build a life. Its a rite of passage - its not about spending thousands on flowers and tableclothes and such. Have fun mylotting nmhchic, and thanks for participating in my wedding discussion, I do appreciate your perspective.

sararuthbeth, I can certainly see how different situations might call for different decisions. Be well.

A practical response! Its very true, many marraiges falter or collapse due to financial concerns. Weddings are expensive and I never liked a crowd.