Is a Big Wedding Splurge Worth It?

SOURCE: Various (edited)

The big wedding has been around for a long time, but weddings get no protection from rising costs. We all have a budget (or should) so the question becomes: Is the big wedding worth the big financial splurge, or, is something more intimate a better way to go?

Big Wedding vs. Small

Big weddings require significant planning – as much as a year or more out. You either have the expense (although you do get the expertise) of a wedding planner, or an exhausting amount of work, including research, to get done on your own and if you’re lucky, with the help of one or two (very) good and talented friends.

A big wedding requires you to spend a lot of money, potentially on some things that may seem less important when the final bill arrives. On the other hand, a smaller, more intimate wedding could leave a lot of your financial resources untouched; resources you can then direct to your honeymoon. Many young couples don’t go on the honeymoon they really want – and some postpone or don’t go on one at all – because their wedding was so expensive.

According to a forum at the wedding site theknot. com, users who opted for a small wedding rather than a large one were asked if they regretted their decision. Most said “no.” The most obvious difference is cost. In the United States the average cost of a wedding ranges from $17,000 to $26,000 and up. Also, a good amount of wedding cost is on a “per guest” basis, so clearly a smaller wedding will cost less.

Benefits and Challenges

There are benefits to a big wedding. There’s no limit to your guest list, a bonus if you’re a social butterfly. This helps eliminate the possibility of offending anyone who didn’t get invited due to guest list limitations. If wedding venues or suppliers set minimum spending requirements, a big wedding will help you meet those with no issues.

Small weddings have their benefits as well, but also pose their own challenges. If you go really small, it’s harder to achieve a party vibe. With fewer people involved, there’s more you have to do yourself. If a limited guest list means you can’t invite some people, you may encounter some conflict.

Another challenge with a small wedding is that it may also limit your venue options because of spending limits set by venues and suppliers. That said the cost of big weddings has been shown to

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Is a Big Wedding Splurge Worth It?

Continued from page 11 send people into significant debt. Almost half of those spending large amounts of money on a large wedding end up suffering financially for their decision to splurge.

Do Your Wedding for You

It’s not as if a beautiful wedding is only possible with a huge budget. Finding affordable venues, limiting the flowers, and finding an incredible wedding dress from a thrift store are all the strategies you need to ensure you have what’s necessary without throwing yourself under a mountain of debt.

Obviously, the choice of whether to have a big or a small wedding is a personal decision. There really isn’t one way that is better than the other. You just have to choose what’s best for you. Some people like big weddings for the memories (and maybe the bragging rights) and if you have the money, go for it! But you don’t need to please others and spend money you don’t have to make great memories. Do what’s right for you.

Ultimate Honeymoon Destinations

If you’re planning your wedding for 2023, or even 2024, your honeymoon is probably on your mind. Depending who you are, you might want to honeymoon at the Jersey Shore or up in the mountains, or maybe Nashville.

The truth is you can go a lot further than that depending on your budget. We did some research at travel.usnews.com to find you information about some of these top honeymoon destinations in the world.

Bora Bora / Bora Bora's out-of-this-world scenery is just the tip of the iceberg – or, rather, the volcano. The epitome of an agenda-free beach honeymoon destination, Bora Bora gives newlyweds their pick of gorgeous white sand beaches and lagoons for sunbathing, snorkeling and sailing. Luxurious spas and romantic overwater bungalows abound.

St. Lucia / If you're seeking a luxurious Caribbean honeymoon with just the right amount of adventure, look no further than St. Lucia. You'll find white sand beaches and lush mountains dotted with all-inclusive boutique resorts – many with open-air rooms perfect for basking in the island's natural beauty. On St. Lucia, you and your love will enjoy hiking, taking mud baths and relaxing together in geothermal pools.

Amalfi Coast / The Amalfi Coast's colorful villages, crystal-clear water and rugged shoreline help make this part of Italy a one-of-a-kind honeymoon destination. You can explore some of the region's 13 towns on foot or by boat, or simply spend your vacation relaxing on one of the picturesque beaches. For a real treat, have a romantic candlelit dinner in the gardens or on the terrace of a charming villa.

Tahiti / French Polynesia's largest island is sometimes passed over by newlyweds, but it's just as romantic as more popular honeymoon destinations. Hole up in an ultra-private resort and sunbathe on black sand beaches, take a day trip to stunning Moorea (a quick flight or ferry ride away) or head to the capital of Papeete to