Wedding Season

My brother pointed something out to me. He said that weddings are a sham. While at first hearing this statement I wanted to argue with him. I wanted to point out that weddings are beautiful ceremonies and that they represent the love that two people share and the bond that they will (hopefully) have for a lifetime. But as my brother tends to do he took his crazy, out of place statement and threw me right over to his side. Think about this. The wedding industry tries to scam you. Women spend thousands of dollars on dresses. Have you ever seen "Say Yes to the Dress"? On average these women spend $3500, and there have been times where I saw women purchasing dresses up to $18,000. I'm sorry honey, but the material for your dress (no matter how "designer" it is) does not cost $18,000! Your dress is not made out of diamonds or Emeralds. It isn't plated with gold or platinum. NO single dress should EVER cost $18,000, especially not one that will only ever be worn once. Pushing past the dresses just look at everything else. The flowers you buy for a wedding are 4 times the price that the flowers would be if they were specified for any other event. However the florist gets away with it because they know you need flowers for your big day and trust me, they are ready to take advantage. How about the venue? One, it is necessary for them to charge you to rent their space. That is understandable. But wait, you want the big hall? OH!!!! Yeah  that is going to cost you an extra $10,000. And here is how they really get you. If they want to really make money off of you then they will require that all food be from their venue. That's right. They have no problem telling you that you cannot hire someone else to cater. Why would they let you do that when they could make that much more money? Ok good. Now you are only going to get your food from our venue? Perfect. Except that a meal per person at a wedding is going to be at least $80 per plate. Oh wait, now you want to use the good plates? Yup that is going to cost you another $20 per plate. Yeah so you might want to cut down that guest list because if you want to feed them you will be spending about $100 per plate. Yummy. Now let's think for a second about the photographer. He spends absolutely no money on materials. Yes, he bought his camera, but considering how many jobs he has gotten done with it that thing makes him more than he spent. He spend NO money on film. Now all they use is digital. The only money he spent was on gas. So are paying him thousands of dollars for his time, plus then you have to pay more for every picture that you want to purchase that he took. Yes, he should be paid. But let's be honest, he too, like the florist and the dress maker and the venue owner is taking advantage of you and charging you more than necessary.Don't get me wrong. I love weddings. I will go out there like every other person and I will spend that money on the perfect dress and venue and food and photographer and flowers.... but that doesn't change the fact that I know they are ripping me off for a nasty profit. Here's to hoping it all ends up worth it ^_^