RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
Ahhh wonderful memories, My husband and I were a "hometown" wedding. In our small town we were married for a total of about $1500. That included all the tuxes, dresses food, rental of the school gym (the place to go) and a band, not to mention free beer. I have to admit the band was my husband's cousin so we did get a break. To this day (19 years later) I remember that day as if we spent thousands.
Posted on 04/07/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
Hi - nice to see young people with common sense. You should start a blog with your story.
Best wishes and be sure to remember God in your ceremony and your life.
Posted on 04/06/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
I can't believe anyone would be rude enough to ask if your ring was "real!" You don't need to honor a such a question response, but the ideas above are great if you feel you must. Choosing a CZ rather than a diamond is plain smart. Save the money and use it for a down payment on a house or something else that's practical. We did not even have a ring when we announced our engagement 26 years ago. The ring tradition is meaningless and you can get engaged and married in any fashion you choose. I'm still happily married, and after seeing the movie "Blood Diamond," I really don't want diamonds at all. People in Africa are dying in the corrupt diamond trade. Check it out if you haven't seen it. I applaud you, and tell the nosy folks to where to stick it!
Posted on 04/05/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
Dear, dear Jenni! If someone asks you if your ring is real, you should certainly answer "yes." It is real, isn't it? You didn't imagine it or anything, so yes, it's real. It's not anyone's business what it cost. What matters is that you have a wonderful symbol of your love. My late husband gave me a fabulously beautiful tennis bracelet made of Diamonique (QVC). It was an anniversary gift and I was very ill at the time. I fretted that it was, in fact, real diamonds, because he'd been looking them over in his American Express catalog. Imagine my delight when I finally learned (by peeking at the bill) that it wasn't real! He's been gone 8-1/2 years, now, and I cherish that bracelet as if it were from the Taj Mahal.
Posted on 04/05/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
I was married a day before I graduated high school (officially, had early grad in Jan 2003).
We just went to the court house, had who we wanted there (exception was his father, but that's another huge story), and we had our son there as well...in my tummy.
Our reception was that Sunday, since we both had to work Saturday, and it was at my cousin's farm a few towns away. My grandparents came from SD, and only our best friend was not officially family.
Total cost, 75$ for marriage certificate. Our wedding gift, and my graduation gift, was our cake that was bi-level, one with the wedding decorations, and one wisecrack about my graduation on the bottom.
We're still married, and we've been together since I was 15, and he was 16, in 2000. Now 3 kids later we're thinking of saving up for a renewal ceremony in a few years.
Good luck!
Posted on 04/05/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
I remember my mother telling me that during the great depression and also in world war 2 couples used brass curtain rings in the wedding ceremony. I think cubic zirconia rings are beautiful by the way.
Posted on 04/05/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
I bought my husband a silver and paua shell ring for $35 on a special vacation, and he obviously loved it more than his platinum wedding band with diamonds. He kept it clean and rarely took it off. We had fond memories of that special time, and that is what's important. Make lots of special memories while you can, and don't fall into the trap of petty arguments. When things get stressful, take off together and make memories.
Posted on 04/04/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
I completely agree! I have told my BF that when it's time to buy me a ring, I also want a CZ. He's on the same page as well. :)
Posted on 11/24/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
It's wonderful to read about a couple that realizes the point of an engagement/marriage is not all the glitter and gold of that "one day", but sharing your WHOLE life with your best friend. Congratulations to you both on finding a wise partner!
Posted on 10/21/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
I am impressed with both of you for being so smart. Too many young couples go into debt on weddings. The ring story was wonderful, it is real as you are now engaged! I only wish more could be like you. Good luck to both of you and may God bless your marriage.
Posted on 10/20/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
That's wonderful that your ring is so beautiful & practical. Many cubic zirconia's rings are prettier than regular diamonds anyways, & I'll take cheaper/prettier over expensive/less pretty anyday.
I'm not a fan of diamonds but love opals, so my fiance proposed with an opal ring that I adore more than anything else he could have got & I'm sure it was only a fraction of the price of a regular wedding set. Plus, our engagement rings are the same ones we'll use for the wedding ceremony, since I don't really understand the need for two rings.
Many happy wishes for your future together.
Posted on 10/20/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
That's very nice. A lovely story too! It's good that it all hasn't become so commercialized that it causes anxiety & is a chore or burden to "keep up with the Jones". All that worry tends to take the joy out of it sometimes.
Posted on 10/16/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
Someone asked a co-worker if her ring was real. Her reply? "It's on my finger, isn't it?"
Posted on 10/16/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
That people would ask sounds rude - but you should say "Yes, it's real, and from a real treasure of a guy!" It is real, not imaginary and you chose it w/alot of thought, too! Good luck to both of you - from a 20+ couple!
Posted on 10/16/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
You are wise beyond your years. I love the cubic zirconia idea and did not know they can be bought for as little as $35. I come from a European country where diamonds are not used for engagement rings. We buy gold rings for BOTH men and women to be worn on the left hand for the engagement time and then switched to the right hand at the wedding ceremony.
Here in the USA, wedding bands are worn on the left hand, so I proudly wear my smooth, wide, gold wedding band (no diamond) on the left hand. Best wishes for your wedding.
Posted on 10/16/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials & on your VERY wise fiscal prudence re the ring.
Do hope you continue with this thinking and do not go into debt for your wedding as you begin your life together (That is why so many young couples cannot afford the house they wish to purchase).
Posted on 10/16/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
Congratulations. You are on the road to happiness and financial security with your common sense. Your love for each other and your partnership in life are more important than material possessions. Circumstances can take possessions away, but nothing can take the memories of your love.
23 years ago, when my husband and I got engaged, we had enough money for a nice ring or a down payment on a house. I really enjoyed living in that house for the first 20 years of our marriage. I now have a wonderful husband, 2 engagement rings and an even nicer home.
Posted on 10/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
|
By lovesthosehounds (Guest Post)
|
|
 |
You are young but wise beyond your years. With your attitude towards money, I believe you and your future husband will do just fine. Congratulations to both of you!
Posted on 10/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
I am shocked that someone would be so rude to ask if it is real. I would ask them "Why would you ask me that?" That may point out to them that the ring is a sign of love and commitment so yes, of course it is real! Best wishes to you!
Posted on 10/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
Your rings are real. As far as I would be concerned, they are real, real cubic zirconia. So enjoy your life together, don't sweat the small stuff, remember the important stuff, and be kind to each other.
Posted on 10/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
Bless both of your hearts! Yes, a ring is special because it professes a commitment of your hearts but I am glad to know that the true commitment between you two is for your love and not for flashy show! You're both on a great and wise start towards a wonderful future together :-)
Posted on 10/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Weddings Are Too Expensive for Just One Day
Karen is so right. The pressure to impress is over the top! Having to pay for the whole day can take years! Esp if you put "must haves" on a credit card. Keep it simple. People who truly love you will not expect to be treated like royalty at your future expense.
Posted on 10/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
Your WEDDING is simply the first day of your MARRIAGE
Good for you, Jenni!
Your ring is important and special because it is a symbol of your eternal love for each other (a never-ending circle) rather than a status symbol based on how much was spent.
Many couples get caught up in all the glamour (and expense!) of that "one big day" and create a lot of pressure for themselves as well as their families, when the focus should be on the MARRIAGE.
The wedding industry works very hard to convince you that you HAVE to have specific things, and that YOUR wedding must compete with or exceed the lavish events of all your friends, and over and over couples buy into that nonsense.
I applaud your decision to keep it simple and wish you a long and joyful life together!
Posted on 10/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
|
My fiancee and I had been together for a year when I asked him why he had not proposed. His reply was that, "Weddings are too expensive for just one day". Ahh, true love. Because neither of us came from money, we did not have to worry about the whole thing getting out of hand.
