Comments on: Which Would You Rather Have?

By: Around the PF Blogosphere: June 15, 2007

Around the PF Blogosphere: June 15, 2007 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:34:41 +0000

[...] asks which one you would rather have: a $30,000 wedding or $30,000 to help get you started in life. How about both? Get a $30,000 wedding to marry someone who can help you get started in [...]

By: Weekly Roundup | Cash Money Life

Weekly Roundup | Cash Money Life — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:11:24 +0000

[...] Financial Matters – Which Would You Rather Have?: JLP asks his readers which they would rather have, $30,000 dollars for a wedding, or $30,000 to [...]

By: equipmentleasing

equipmentleasing — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:05:23 +0000

I have always told myself not to have an expensive wedding, sure it isn’t easy getting those cash in hand unless somebody’s gonna pay it for you So I’d rather have a $30k to start our life than spend it on a one day affair.

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:50:16 +0000

My wedding cost over 30K, but it was my parents choice… they wanted to invite the 300 people, not me… I think I only knew about 30 people at the actually reception, but I will admit the presents were nice.

By: pam

pam — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:54:53 +0000

I’m getting married in 8 days. (8 days!) Total cost: about $5,000.

That includes designer wedding gown, honeymoon in Mexico, and custom wedding rings.

Where did we save? Reception – held at the church. Food – buffet style with close friends bringing some of the side dishes. Photography – family member. Flowers – made my own silk flowers arrangements.

Of course, I would have to say my family isn’t “well off.” My mom gave us $1,000 and his parents paid for the hotel for the honeymoon. The rest fell upon the two of us.

If I had the option however, I would take money for a down payment on a home rather than a couple hours of extravagance.

By: Angie Hartford

Angie Hartford — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 01:34:55 +0000

I would hope that anyone’s wedding costs would be consistent with their values, ideals and budget. If you’re quite well-off, a $30,000 wedding might seem low. If you’re not, even $3,000 can be way too much of a stretch.

The goal of the wedding is to get married. Anything above that is a lovely extra; but certainly not mandatory.

By: Satoru

Satoru — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:48:34 +0000

I’ve been to several Chinese weddings and those are a bit easier to swallow in terms of cost overall. Mostly because I find that at Asian weddings the only thing people give is cash. There aren’t any tables filled with boxes of useless garbage you will re-gift within a year. I’ve seen weddings where they start cracking open the envelopes immediately to start paying off the caterer on the spot. I mean it won’t cover the whole event, but if you can get like 70% of just the banquet/catering costs that’s a big help. If you really like your friends/family give them cash and they will secretly thank you

By: Shannon

Shannon — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:31:06 +0000

The stress from planning a wedding almost killed me! So we decided to elope on Valentine’s Day 2006. It cost us $40 for the license. We were married by the city clerk in a beautiful intimate ceremony that was perfect for us. We decided to have a ceremony and party for our family and friends later in the year. Due to some family conflicts we weren’t able to have it until just recently, this past May 12th. We had a gorgeous outdoor wedding ceremony and reception at my mother’s home, and it cost less than $1200. Plus $650 for both of our rings (we waited until the public ceremony to exchange rings.) We could have spent less on the wedding bands, but we wanted to splurge since we’d been so frugal in every other aspect, including me foregoing an engagement ring (my choice! There’s always time for diamonds when we’re better off financially.) Besides the rings, we paid for my dress (less than $200), attire for my husband and 2 stepsons, the wedding cake ($250 — could have been less, but this was another splurge), for me to have my hair done ($40 including tip), the second marriage license ($40), and the officiant ($100 including tip). We spent around $700, and the rest was picked up by my mother. Mom’s brother-in-law arranged for his church to loan us a nice outdoor gala tent, tables and chairs for the weekend. My mother rented a second tent, table linens, plates, silverware, champagne flutes, etc. With the help of some friends and family members, she made most of the food, with a few items catered. We reused some of the items we had made for my sister’s wedding, including decorations and a card box. It was a gorgeous elegant wedding, and the guests still remark how it was as nice or nicer than any traditional wedding they’d been do.

By: Kevin in Palm Harbor, FL

Kevin in Palm Harbor, FL — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:23:25 +0000

My wife and I got married nearly 2 years ago. After we selected the location, my dad decided to offer us 20k to do a smaller wedding at a different location.

We turned down his offer.

Mom and Dad know a ton of people, and wanted a ton of family there, so they paid for that portion. My wife and I paid for our friends and her much smaller family. The rest of the cost of the wedding was split between several parties (including my parents and us).

It would have been nice to have 20k, but the wedding is an experience that you will have forever, and it’s something that people are still talking about nearly two years later.

By: S

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:04:53 +0000

My parents did give me a significant amount to help with a down payment for a home and I really appreciate their generosity. But I have to say, if I wasn’t gay, maybe I would opt for a wedding, maybe not a $30K one, but a nice one. Right now though, I’m not sure my family is ready for a mixed race lesbian wedding/commitment ceremony quite yet . . . maybe in a few years. I know my partner would love to have one!