I guess we did the bells and whistles thing but in one way would've liked a smaller wedding. We spent $25K which included the $5K honeymoon & rings (incl. engagement). Back then I was working in hospitality and just wanted a big party & the chance to have lots of family together and have a great time. We had a lot of relies come over from o/seas and shouted them bits and pieces as well.

Looking back on it, I would now spend a lot less and have more meaning to the ceremony which we didn't really at the time. Whole ceremony took 7 minutes. I was so disappointed at this and embarrassed when I watched it on a friend's video tape. $25K for 7 minutes - that's ridiculous!

Anyway, my sister just got married this year in NZ and when she started planning it she asked how much we spent and said with disgust that she couldn't stomach spending that much money on a wedding. Well, how the tables turn.....10mths or so down the track and the wedding has been..........she spent $33K!!!! She had a great time though and doesn't regret it. But it's funny how your state of mind changes as you are preparing and getting immersed in the whole thing.

When I worked in hospitality at a 5star hotel, it was so amazing to see what money people would spend. I remeber this one wedding where they spent $50K on the flowers alone. The food & wine bill came to well over $200K for 600 guests......never mind the dress, honeymoon etc.