BMW or Wedding Bells

I realized this morning that one year ago I was ring shopping and planning my engagement to the future Mrs Foray. Its hard to believe a year has flown by, its been so busy with wedding plans. I am super excited to be wed and wouldn't change a thing, but the amount of cash that goes into this event is staggering. Here is a sample of a few line items from the wedding so far:

Reception hall = $11250 ($75 a head X 150 heads)
Engagement Ring = $6000
Band = $5000
Honeymoon = $4800
Photographer = $4000
Wedding Bands = $2000
Flowers = $1000
Invitations = $900
Limo = $800
Total = $35750

This list does not include every expense, such as church donation, rehearsal dinner, favors, bridesmaid dresses, wedding gown, tuxedos, etc. In addition we have a January wedding and have gotten huge discounts on almost everything. But New York is New York where nothing comes cheap and weddings are done big.

Is really necessary for one of the happiest days of your life to cost as much as a new luxury car? No, it could be done for much less and hopefully we will recover most if not all and more in gifts/presents. Its been a struggle, but I haven't regretted a dime spent so far and I doubt I ever will.