Last Splash

Friday, 06 January 2006

Wedding Shows

A thought occured to me this morning. I am going to my first wedding show on Sunday and the admission is $10 per person (the bride and groom can each get in for $8 if they pre-register, but moms, maid of honors, etc. have to pay full price). Now, how does this make sense when they aren't offering free meals or anything, just a bunch of contests that you have to be put on some mailing list crap to win, and I know all of the 200 exhibitors there probably have to pay some exhorbitant $500-1000 fee to rent the space they're set up in. So this company that produces bridal shows is making a SHITLOAD of money. I mean think about it: they make minimum $100 Grand from all the exhibitors, and the thing is in a state-owned building and you KNOW they don't get charged more than $10,000 to rent the building for the weekend (because the state has my taxes to pay for that building, so they only charge what is considered a 'nominal' fee) and then they make $8-10 off each person that even walks in. I mean, if only 1000 people showed up that's enough to cover the cost of the building. So where does the rest of that money go?

And why are weddings so freaking expensive? If I was just throwing a party for 100 people and got it catered do you really think it would cost $3000? (This is just for food, people.) I have a BIG family. And I've cut out a lot of the people I thought I would want to invite, (like my best friends from high school, that I talk to like once a year) mostly because they have long-term boyfriends/husbands, and I can't afford to invite them both. And I read in a survey that having a cash bar is tacky and guests think you're cheap, but really: how do you guys honestly feel about that? Because if we are going to have anything but barbecue, it's pretty much going to cost $3000 and up, and I cannot afford the extra $1500-2500 that beer and wine tacks on.

Thoughts, opinions, anyone want to try to convince my fiance' that eloping to Hawaii is really not a bad idea anymore, we can have a fabulous vacation and start saving for a house immediately instead of paying off the loan we have to get to pay for our wedding, and my mom and his grandmother will be disappointed, yes, but in the long run they'll understand, or at least they'll understand once we have a baby [AG, keep your karma away: I know you couldn't be happier (and your baby is beautiful and we all love her), but I don't want to get pregnant in the first year]. Anyone?

posted by: Cannonball14 at 13:45 | link | comments (5) |
bridezilla

Comments:

#1 06 January 2006 - 14:04

The most important thing to remember (well, it's up there, anyway):

It's your wedding. You guys do what you want to do/what you can afford to do. If the moms/grandmas will be disappointed, they can pony up the extra money if it's that big of a deal to them. Also remember this when you're looking at flowers, dresses, and so on...their opinion is fine, but don't let them guilt you into doing something you don't want to do.

There is no law that says you must serve a meal after a wedding. Appetizers and a keg/champagne will do just fine; on the invitations, just say something like "please join us for a reception after the ceremony at ----." Or see if aunts or other relatives would be willing to make some of the food. There is absolutely no reason to go broke for one day of your lives; yes, it's a big day, but it's still just one day. Does one of your friends decorate cakes? Maybe he/she would be willing to help you out. Mints are cheap and easy to make yourself (you will have dreams about making mints, though). Caterers' prices may seem set, but try to haggle with them. A lot of times you'll find that they will be accommodating.

And don't forget to enjoy this!! And breathe...that helps too. :-)

greeneyes

#2 06 January 2006 - 15:10

I guess this means I'm not getting my invite, eh, CB?

Anyway, I think the eloping to Hawaii idea is a great one. Maybe you fly out the best man and the maiden of honor and put them up in a hotel for a night or two, and then enjoy the rest of the time yourselves.

Oh, and I wouldn't think that you were "cheap" if you had a cash bar, just not rich. I think it's perfectly acceptable. Of course, I probably should check one of my ettiquite books at home to make sure.

Windhazel

#3 06 January 2006 - 17:02

Weddings and receptions are NOT cheap at all. It is YOUR wedding and YOUR day. It doesn't have to be hoity doity. I've been to both hoity doity (formal assigned tables where they come and serve you, etc) and fairly simple weddings and receptions (buffet line or just appetizers). They have all been very nice. Each one is unique in their own way.

I don't think you would be being cheap with having a cash bar. Quite often the keg is provided but they have to pay for the rest.

AdventureSpice

#4 06 January 2006 - 21:04

I read the cash bar thing on a wedding site survey...it was supposed to be one of the top 10 items that guests complain about, but I'm figuring this thing out. They know that they will scare couples into paying for all that alchohol so that they won't offend anyone, and just like lobbyists, they probably get a cut of money from the vendors...

Cannonball14

#5 06 January 2006 - 21:55

We got married on St. Thomas and it was beautiful! I wouldn't change one little thing about it. Just our family was there with us. It wasn't cheap, but it was wonderful! I highly recommend bagging the big fancy wedding. It's just one day, one very stressful and overly planned day, and the importance of the actual marriage tends to get lost in all the fuss. (I know - I did it both ways!) You can get married on Hawaii and then just have a fun, casual party after your honeymoon for friends and family. I'm sure everyone will love it.

Oh, and I went to a wedding that had a cash bar, but complimentary champagne punch available to anyone who wanted it, and it was lovely! You could think about something like that.

Now I'll take my baby Karma and go. LOL! You have tons of time to think about babies. We had to move fast - I'm not getting any younger. :D