Big, Stupid, Flashy Weddings

In the past weddings have always been events of no consequence too me, largely due to the fact that most of the people I knew that were getting married were distant second cousins or annoying neighbors that I didn't care much about. This mindset has stuck with me up until the past little while when many of my friends and family members have started getting hitched. Weddings have now become a melting pot of mixed emotions for me. On one hand it is very exciting to see these people continue on with the next big stage of their lives, however, on the other hand it sucks to lose friends to the vicious jaws of marriage. After a quick volley of about five weddings in the last two months I have drawn up a conclusion about weddings that I can quickly sum up in five words- big, stupid, flashy weddings suck.

I am a frugal person and spending money is not something that is embedded in my genetics. As such, a wedding that consist of dinners, receptions, and photographers that cost a combine total of exactly 12 times the price of my car is something that has never appealed to me. I do not want to marry a girl who has to have such a flattering event. In my mind the best reception would be in my backyard with my dad cooking up burgers on the grill. Casual setting, relaxed atmosphere, no pressure to act classy and dignified in an overpriced tux, and it doesn't cost my life savings plus half my soul.

Now if you are a friend or family member who has had a large wedding with a nice reception don't take this post the wrong way. If one can afford a nice, lavish wedding I have no problem with taking advantage of that situation. My problem lies in the attitude of some girls (or guys...but mostly girls) who insist on starting off their married lives by spending more on one day then they will make the following year. To me this is a truly terrifying thought and shows how vain some people can be.

My last point also lies in the fact that most people at these weddings aren't having too much fun for the money they have spent. I know the bride and the groom, along with both sets of parent, must stand in line for hours making small talk while they watch people (aka me) chow down on the delicious food and deserts in front of them. All participants are required to act a certain way and show a degree of class and grace that they usually don't posses anyways (example- me). And finally, by the time the expensive day is over and everything is winding down, there still is only one thing on the grooms mind and I can guarantee its not if his shoes are still shiny or polished or if there are enough lemons in the chilled water (this one will be me for sure).

To sum these four rant-like paragraphs up quick, I don't like big, stupid, flashy weddings. They almost feel like a competition among people to see who can have the biggest and best (not to mention the most expensive) day and I think once a person insists that their wedding be coupled with words like big, classy and flashy, the overall point of the marriage is a bit lost in a commericalized and competative haze.

From a man who, after writing this, will probably be a bachelor his who life,

Chad