You should enjoy your wedding more than any other social
gathering. And all your guests should as well.
For many of you, what I've just written is as bizarre as
the feeding habits of two toed sloths.
For many of you, the most important person at your wedding is
the photographer.
For many of you, weddings have become public root canal.
People have forgotten the purpose of a wedding; it is a
public declaration of a change of status.
Everyone should be there to see the bride and groom become
husband and wife.
Unfortunately, weddings have become cash cows for hotels and
other venues, where invitations are limited by how few the
bride/groom can afford.
Getting married at an exotic resort means everyone has to
travel there.
Where it can be combined with vacations, so friends and
relatives are going to the exotic resort on their own and
your wedding is part of the itinerary, fine.
Where guests are expected to plunk down air fare and hotel
stay; well you won't have much of a wedding; more a photo op.
Many hotels in exotic places run a wedding racket which
although seeming to be less costly then hiring the local
hall, paying caterers, etc. becomes unbelievably expensive
once one appreciates how much each guest costs the
bride/groom.
Unlike having the reception at your home or a local venue, it
is not simply that you invite ten and twenty show up and the
food either stretches or some guests go hungry, this is an
upfront cost; this is stop the guests in the lobby, call up
to the room, and no one passes reception unless you come down
and pay, right now, for the "extra" guests.
When you don't have the cash, and people, like your best
friend from High School have to be turned away, it doesn't
bode well.
If the purpose of your wedding is wear the fancy dress and
have those nice photos and videos, you should have a long
rethink. Unless you have no family or friends, (and should
elope) your choice ought be the most inclusive reception.
Venues are not vital. Any space can do, for the people who
come to your wedding come to see you.
Food is not important, much of it won't be eaten anyway.
People do not come for the free meal, they come to show
their affection.
Being able to look upon those who mattered in your life; from
your kindergarten teacher, to that lady who was nice to you
when you were in difficulty, to the old man who used to give
you a free lollipop when you went to his store, tie your past
to your future in the glorious present of your wedding.
Before you plunk down thousands of dollars on meaningless
frills which will only wind up as photographs in some album,
think of what you want to remember about the day; for those
memories are far more valuable?
