And I think the wedding industry is a huge rip off. I know that probably most of the people on this board had big fancy weddings. And good for you! Everyone should have what they want. I, personally, think it is a huge waste of money. Most -- if not all-- of my friends who had big wedding shindigs are divorced. I was a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding that was well over 25,000 dollars and that was 30 years ago! So very expensive for then and still expensive to me, now. But that cost can pale next to some of today's weddings. They lasted a year. And yes, there are many many many people who've had gorgeous big weddings and are still married and going strong to this day.The death industry is a lot like the wedding industry, I suppose. One of my favorite scenes in "Bag of Bones" was where Mike and his brother were at the bar, talking about how the brother had dickered to get the coffin price down. Which is awesome, IMO.
I got married by a judge in about 15 minutes, and spent the money on furniture and a future home. That was my choice.
But, that doesn't mean I don't love to see beautiful weddings. I enjoy seeing happy days and the promise of things to come for people. .