Once upon a time, weddings were a celebration of love,
family, and the start of a lifelong journey together. Fast forward to today,
and they’ve turned into full-scale Broadway productions—except the tickets are
$350 a seat, and the main act lasts only three to five hours.
For the past decade, weddings have been expensive and
time-consuming, but lately, they’ve evolved into something even more extreme—a
full-blown spectacle. Luxury venues, floral arrangements that could rival
botanical gardens, and drones delivering rings—if you can dream it, someone’s
probably done it. And while I’m all for a grand celebration, I can’t help but
wonder… why do we put so much effort (and money) into a single day while barely
giving a thought to the next 50 years of the couple’s life?
Think about it. Families will spend months, sometimes years,
agonizing over flower choices, seating charts, and whether certain cousins can
sit together without causing drama. Sometimes, they’ll even spend a fortune
just to make sure no one has anything bad to say about the wedding—as if
impressing guests is more important than the actual marriage. But how many of
these same parents sit down—not to discuss the wedding details—but to actually
talk about marriage? You know, the real stuff—finances, children, where the
couple will live, and how they’ll navigate holidays with in-laws (arguably the
most important negotiation of them all).
Meanwhile, wedding costs have skyrocketed to the point where
guests aren’t even enjoying the event anymore. They’re just doing the math in
their heads. (“Okay, we’re on course number six of this nine-plus-course
dinner… this plate alone probably cost $350. Should I have saved room for
dessert?”) Parents, in particular, are footing the bill for a party so
extravagant that it’s practically a down payment on a house—except, unlike real
estate, this investment comes with no return policy.
And let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Divorce rates
are higher than ever, yet we’re still stuck in this cycle of trying to outdo
the last wedding. Shouldn’t we be putting more effort into helping couples
build a solid foundation for their marriage rather than just creating
Instagram-worthy moments?
So, how do we change our mindset? How do we bring weddings
back to what they’re supposed to be—a meaningful start to a lifetime together,
not just a contest to see who can throw the most extravagant party?
Maybe, instead of blowing six figures on a single night, we
focus on investing in the couple’s future—helping them buy a home, setting up a
financial plan, or even just making sure they’ve had those tough conversations
before they stand under the chuppah. A beautiful wedding is great, but a strong
marriage is even better.
Let’s bring back the joy of weddings—without the financial
hangover. Because love isn’t about the most expensive venue or the biggest
floral arch; it’s about the commitment that begins when the party ends.
Sincerely yours,
Zoya Aminov
