Ask Aviva: Is there anything like a cheap wedding?

Posted

Dear Aviva,

I am planning a wedding. Both my parents and my chassan’s parents are in some debt already and neither I nor my chassan has a full time job. We are both making just a little less then we need to cover living expenses. My mother doesn’t want to do a takanos wedding and who can blame her? I don’t really want to do that either. How do I have my friends at my wedding and keep from sending our parents into deeper debt? We’re thinking of having 300 guests. Everyone says that’s a lot but we have a lot of friends. Do you have any recommendations?

-Begrudging Bride

Dear Begrudging Bride,

Mazel tov! I wish you and your chassan a lifetime of health and happiness! I wish you a really long life together—so long that you’ll forget about how you were not able to make the wedding of your dreams. That’s right. It ain’t happening. Sorry to be the realist here, but we have to stay goal oriented. What is the goal? For you to get married with a nice wedding. We just have to redefine “nice” and then we can meet the other goal of keeping everyone from plunging deeper into debt. And let’s stop with the term “takanos,” especially since that never took off. So let’s maintain both of your goals by cutting some corners.

Invitations: Believe it or not I’ve already received an invitation to a very upscale wedding via email. That’s right, ladies and gentleman! The future has officially arrived! The couple had real paper invitations that they sent via post to those whom they were not in regular email contact with. For the e-invite, they used a website that animated the paper invitation as if you were opening the envelope. It was done tastefully, made RSVP instant and even had a link for directions to the hall. Give the mailman a break, will ya? All gowns should be rented through a g’mach. You will not be disappointed, nor will you be short-changed—there’s more of a selection in g’machs these days than in stores. And we’re not alone—nation-wide consignment shops and second-hand stores have increased their sales while retail’s sales have gone down, due to the economy.

Page 1 / 3