Casual Wedding?

A girlfriend of mine will be getting married here soon. Being a bridesmaid and having planned my own wedding, I have been helping in her planning. At first, it was going to be a small beach wedding, no more than close family and friends. Soon I realized though, I was in for something bigger than I could have imagined.

When does casual become extravagant? The guest list has been made and that simple wedding of 25 has turned into 150. A small tea-length wedding dress was booted for a $900 bridal gown. Things have been growing out of control! I know that I am not one to speak. My wedding (although I never got to see the day) was going to cost almost $65,000. But through all of my planning, and now watching her, is makes me think, how much is too much?

This one day, set aside for two people, why all the show? I have heard of people taking out loans to pay for weddings, or others that it took over 10 years just to pay for it. Then you have people who marry more than once. What is it really all for? Now yes, I would like the pretty dress and all the pretty things, but I don't need them. Knowing that I would get to have those I care about watch me and the one I love make a pact with each other, well, that would be enough. So why all the antics? Is a wedding really something that you should blow all of your money on, or have we simply taken a day and turned it into a show?