Maybe she’s already worried about how she’ll ever pay off her expensive wedding?

It’s the year 2015 and I have two friends that will definitely be getting married this year (save the dates are sent, and I have dresses picked out for their weddings, and I have also already bought two fairly expensive gifts) and I keep hoping that I will be planning my own this year… Both of these weddings that I have heard so much about have also made me realize that there are some very big differences between my friends and I… These girls are spending more on weddings than I have ever spent on a car. The thing is, I was raised by modest means, and I just cannot bring myself to understand having an expensive wedding. Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to enjoy going to them, and if there’s an open bar, I’ll be drinking and dancing the night away, but they will not be able to do that at mine…

My not-so-expensive wedding…

Like most girls, I will admit that I have a Pinterest wedding board. Unlike most girls, I have the good sense to keep mine secret. Why? Because I don’t want to scare the living hell out of my sweet loving boyfriend before he pops the question (I mean, we’re on the cusp of 5 years now, so I think it’s expected that I’m thinking about these things, but he doesn’t need to know that). I have several items pinned for different wedding scenarios (burlap and sunflowers, glitter and sparkly things, and a few other scenarios). If he were to pop the question, I could have the entire wedding planned in two days flat due to the multiple items that I have pinned. I have favorited items on Etsy that I would love to order, and even some that I believe that I could make myself. I have ladies lined up that I’m pretty certain I would pick as bridesmaids. I have places picked out that I would love to have a wedding and reception. I don’t have a preacher in mind, but I know a judge who would gladly do the job if asked.

Any scenario that’s on my Pinterest board would cost less than $2,000… Dress, cake, flowers, and all. To be completely honest, the dresses that I picked out (handmade, on Etsy) would be the most expensive part. I have a firm belief that between my mom and my crafty friends that we could make everything ourselves and not have to spend near what my friends speak of their weddings costing.

Maybe I’m country, maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I don’t feel the need to spend $20/head for catering, and then spend tons of cash to have a full service open bar and my reception. I’d be just as happy with finger foods, cake, and telling everyone to BYOB. Hell, I don’t have a problem in the world with renting the grill from the local bank (I’m sure not everyone has that option) and telling everyone to bring their own steak or hamburger patties… But that’s as far as I go. I refuse to go broke just to throw a lavish wedding. What’s more important: a party, or a lifetime together? I hope you answered the latter.

I would like to point out, if you have the means to do something like this, then go for it. Unfortunately, I know for a fact that one of my friends (and her parents) do not have the means to do so, and they are going deep into debt. Here’s the thing, if you have to re-mortgage your home to have a huge wedding, maybe you need a reality check. If you just have to pull a little out of your savings account, then PLEASE, invite me to your special day… Just don’t expect mine to be as fancy as yours… As in, you can wear your nice jeans and a set of pearls to my reception and I won’t think any less of you when you come to my not so expensive wedding. 😉