Finally… a backlash against the ridiculous over-the-top wedding extravaganzas that have been increasing in cost and showiness over the past few years.
Country Life magazine recently took a much-publicised pop at the trend for three-day weddings and called for restraint when it comes to glitzy nuptials.
I’m not being a killjoy and if people have the cash to splash, they can have their special day surrounded by peacocks and fairytale castles with my blessing.
It’s just the cost to guests that can take your breath away.
As my regular reader knows, I’ve had a bee in my bonnet for quite some time about costly stag and hen dos abroad.
When did a few drinks or a meal with friends turn into a full-blown foreign mini-break?
Apart from the expense, the whole idea behind these events bothers me, with the subtext of enjoying yourself with friends before you marry – because you certainly won’t be doing that after marriage. Eh? Really?
As for the ceremony and reception, which are apparently becoming ever more competitively glitzy, surely the key is trying to think of something unique that means something special to the couple concerned.
When I think back over weddings I’ve attended, the ones that stand out include one where the reception consisted of fish suppers while sitting on the beach and one where the bride and groom had decorated their local village hall themselves and got their friends and families to provide the buffet supper.
I’ve also attended more blingy weddings where money has clearly been no object and they are not as memorable. Many are only memorable for guests as an enormous drain on their own finances.
I know it’s all about the happy couple but let’s try to get a grip.