The Big Reception or the Money?

I would take the big reception, if giving that option and I would never regret it. In my case unlike yours I had a small reception and no money to keep or have a big reception on. My parents didn't approve of my husband of choice. Years later they tried to make it right and we had a second wedding big reception and all but when I think about my wedding day it is always my "real" wedding I look back on and nothing can change how much I felt though my father showed up at that tiny reception and made a huge fuss, and in the photos taken there he looks so angry. But had I been giving that choice I would have, had a big reception and never regretted it, even if money became tight in later years.

we had a biggish reception and i really wish my parents would have let me do what i wanted. i am an only child and since my parents paid for the wedding, they mostly got to do what they wanted. i didnt have much of a say.

I would like to have a nice reception if I can, if and when I get married, but I don't know if I ever will get married, and I don't know if I will ever have the money to pay for it and afford it. I personally don't think that it will ever happen for me.

Well, since I've been married twice, I guess I need to answer for each wedding. I thought my first wedding was really expensive and since I was upset most of the day, I didn't really enjoy it. I thought the day should be romantic and sweet, but my husband thought it should be all about partying. He barely payed any attention to me. He also got really drunk which upset me too. I wanted romance and he wanted party. So, I wouldn't do that over again. My second wedding was only very close family. It was really cheap, but I loved every second of it. My only regret is that we didn't get it professionally videotaped or a professional photographer, so we don't really have very many good pictures or a good video of the day. We thought my father-in-law was going to take care of it, but he kind of let it slide. So, I would spend more money it that area, but otherwise, I loved it and I would do that again.

I would take the money and go travel with it. Big or small wedding/reception doesnt say anything about the weddingday. It is no quarantee for a great party or memory. Also I don't like to invite people who are not close to me, just because it's my wedding day.

I prefer a small ceremony and a simple dinner, I don't like noisy events, lol. But especially since I don't want us to get in debt because of a big wedding. However, if we were given the money and the chance, I would not keep the money, but make a big wedding - to make it memorable for the family. Or make a moderately big wedding, and save the rest for travel.

I would choose simple and elegant, of course. That is true regardless of who is paying for the event. In my case, my boyfriend and I will be paying most, if not all, of the costs associated with our wedding whenever we finally make it down the aisle. I already have some ideas in mind and am doing my homework even though I don't yet have an engagement ring on my finger. I know that weddings can be very expensive, and I don't want that. While I want a beautiful wedding, I refuse to risk sacrificing my other desires--for a nice house, to adopt children, to travel, etc.--for one day and one party.

I say I would go with the money. The big reception and wedding is just crazy to me. I have never been one to sit around and dream about getting married, the perfect dress or flower arrangements. I think people just go plum crazy over that mess. I guess I am wired differently from most women but I think it is a waste of money and time. My first marriage I had a simple dress and we got married at the Justice of the Peace. I am in a common law marriage right now and we are planning on getting married this summer. He wants a church wedding with all of his family and all of the bells and whistles... I am fighting it every step of the way. We cannot afford it and I know my parents can't afford it. I just think it is silly. His Aunt is a wedding planner and he has it in his mind that she will work for free (which she probably will) but all of the stuff that comes out of it has to be paid for... flowers, dresses, tuxes, etc etc etc.. I just don't see it.

I am kind of person who loves to use money efficiently; but for this matter I think I will go for big wedding with big reception.. The wedding day is (hopefully) only once in your life, so..

Personally, I would choose a big reception as your wedding day is very special day for you and I'd like to make it a memorable day for me. Something you can look back on and have fond memoories and not regret in the future that i should have done this and that on my wedding day. However, I guess it depends on everyone's situation. Some people might think about the future and try to save up on the money and use it to build a better future for themselves.

I have been married twice, the first time had all the bells and whistles. I loved it but in the end it was all over in one day why did I spend all that money, or rather make my family pay all that money. The second time I was more prepared and knew what really made me happy and that was a small gathering with my closest family and friends. My husband didn't care either way so we went with the small family/friends gathering. I loved my wedding day I wouldn't change anything about it. This one we paid for ourselves and that wasn't the motive for a smaller wedding. Knowing that hindsight is 20/20 had I know this the first time around I would have had the small wedding and taken the money towards a house.