Dennis, my wife is involved in the wedding industry as a professional ballroom dance instructor.  Her company, The Wedding Dance Specialists, prepares brides and grooms for their first dance.  Most of her couples spend between $250-$500 to learn the valuable skill of dancing.  Usually less expensive than the wedding cake, which is a very fleeting luxury.

We attend and advertise her business at the many bridal fairs.  It's amazing how huge an industry the wedding sector is and how much money people spend on their weddings.  I've been to weddings where the couple honestly spent over $25,000 on floral decorations alone.  Absurd!  

Costs certainly have gone up, but sometimes the true meaning of a wedding and a marriage are lost in all the hoopla.   

Hi Dennis!  Thanks for pointing out a trend that I've been noticing that bugs me.  I call it "The Luxurization of America".  Geez, maybe I need to be on 60 Minutes with Andy Rooney.  Isn't it true that a 1500 square foot home with formica kitchen counters used to be just great?  And at one point in time designer clothing was only for the rich?  Folger's coffee used to be the standard of the middle class. The lifestyle that our grandparents lived was frugal and minimalist compared to the level of indulgence that we now consider essential.  McMansions, granite counters, designer handbags, and Royal Weddings are what we have grown accustomed to and we spoil ourselves with these things because we feel entitled.  I think the big money wedding might have been more appropriate when the divorce rate was much lower. 

Weddings are out of control.  Interestingly enough, before I began life as a Realtor, I sold diamond engagement rings and wedding bands.  The happiest brides always seemed to be the ones with the low stress, small or destination weddings.  The bridezillas were the ones that had all the planning and such to do...and seemed not even able to enjoy the day they planned for so long.  When it was my turn, I remembered all those stress-free brides, went to the courthouse, got hitched, and had a party to celebrate 6 months later.  Best decision I ever made.  Husband agrees!  We had a blast, and because we'd been married for 6 months already, were totally able to enjoy our friends and family at our party.