Back before it all exploded, when I was planning a wedding, we were managing to plan things on an extremely simple scale, using free food from family, a free location at a family-owned place, and a small guest list of only about 25 people. And it was still going to run us into the $2000+ range when everything was accounted for. At that point we shrugged, decided the money would be better spent on a honeymoon or a new life together, and tossed all those plans in favour of a simple civil marriage with no guests, no ceremony, no dress, no flowers, no tables, no band, no dance, no gifts, no anything. Just us getting married. It was a great decision. All the stress of planning was gone, our parents all understood and let us do what we wanted, and to hell with everyone else. Simplifying things to that degree was great.

But then sadly she left me because she didn't think she could live with someone who is a slightly picky eater like me, because I had a hard time with some foods and didn't want to eat all the same meals as her. And because she decided I'm not mature enough. So no wedding anyway.

But people spend way too much on that stuff. If they really want it, and can afford it, then okay. But it seems often that people go all out because of societal expectations and dreams of a "perfect wedding". And then half of them get divorved at some point anyway. I feel that it's better to keep it simple and use the money elsewhere. But you need two people who feel that way or else there's no point in even trying to argue it.