Last Saturday, I attended the reception of some friends whose 30-year-old son just got married.
I've known this young man since he was seven years old, and when I was invited to what I thought was an engagement party, I was happy to accept. But as I was chatting with the mother, I asked when the wedding was going to be. "Yesterday," she said, and chuckled.
As it turns out, the couple went to a Justice of the Peace in a nearby town (the county seat) and had a small private ceremony with just the family members present. The bride wore a tea-length casual dress. The groom wore a kilt. (The family are of Scottish descent, so everyone already owned kilts and plaids, which was the theme of both the wedding and reception.)
The reception was also small and held in a local community hall with just family and close friends invited, maybe 30 people in all. It opened with a prayer by the groom's father. There was a small buffet and tea (all made by family members), and two store-bought sheet cakes (one chocolate, one white) for guests, with a small round cake for the bride and groom to cut. No music (except a Celtic playlist softly broadcast on speakers), and no photographer except the groom's talented older sister. Afterward, all the family member pitched in to wash dishes and put the community hall to rights.
It. Was. Wonderful.
Seriously, what this couple wanted was a marriage, not a wedding. They didn't go into debt and spend thousands of dollars on an elegant wedding dress, tuxedos, cake, a DJ, a wedding photographer, catered meal, or any other of the usual trappings of a wedding and big party. Instead, they were able to have a chance to accept the congratulations of their closest friends and family members in a casual and stress-free environment. Now this young couple can look forward to building their future together without debt.
(Here's a blog post I put up a couple years ago with my take on weddings, frugal or otherwise.)
I was privileged to attend this reception. I wish this lovely young couple every happiness in their future together.
My son got married on the 10th at a JOP in Japanm where he is stationed. His new wife is from Taiwan and had to go back there until December when she graduates her doctorate studies in Business management. Since none of the family was able to be there with them due to distance, they will be flying to Taiwan some time this summer to celebrate with her family and then here next year on their anniversary to celebrate with us. My hubby can't travel due to medical problems and there was no way I was willing to leave him to go celebrate a renewal of vows there next year so we talked with our son and suggested that we send them the money to fly here next year as a wedding present since i could not go to him. They loved that idea since then her family and friends and his family and friends can all celebrate with them, though at different times and not have their friends have to put out so much money. They save, we save and all are happy! God Bless!
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