As a yorkshire woman I was married twice (my first husband was killed in a car crash) and think it is ludicrous that things have escalated to this stupid extent where this huge amount of money is spent for no good reason. My first wedding dress was a lovely simple dress in white , bought in a sale. I was very happy with it and our money was going to be put towards getting a home , not wasted on what you hope would be the only time you would wear it! When I was getting married the second time, I was having a lot of trouble with my back having had a slipped disc, and was waking at ungodly times of day. So decided that as I was awake I might as well go into Manchester and be there for the sales I was going for a laptop as was doing a university course and handwriting long essays caused me problems . Never done it before but duly got there about 5.30am, and didnt know how these things worked. Then about 8.30 someone came down the line and you were allowed one special sale thing. I had originally wanted to get the laptop but they had all gone and so I had about half a minute to choose so remembered that there were two pure wool very good make suits, so asked for one of those, and they give you the ticket for that item . Thought I had wasted my time, you had half an hour when the store was open to get the bargain and after than anyone could have . So went to this very posh womens area wearing trousers and boots in the cold weather not expecting to be trying on clothes. The turquoise suit fitted me and I loved it. took it home and just put it away. Then when we were discussing getting married at the methodist church, I though yes my bargain suit. Hadnt worn it yet at all. So had the turquoise suit with navy shoes, navy tights and a vintage fascinater , navy blue with a small feather on the side very 1920's .Had a happy day and wore that suit to many other occasions . the joy was in joining together not things and I do think that this is another habit we could have done without arriving from the usa! I also do not like the expectations of lists of presents . I was happy to say this is the china we have and anyone could choose something from that pattern, whether it was a mustard pot or dinner plates etc. The very sad thing is where you hear that young couple have got themselves into debt to pay for these extravagances and they do not add to the actual wedding day. I had a friend whose son married a girl who wanted all this big day stuff. My friend could only talk to me about how worried she was because she was between a rock and a hard place. If she said that she thought it was getting out of hand, she sounds begrudging and controlling. If she tries to explain that various friends or relative cannot afford it she sounds complaining. Cant win can you. My favourite simple wedding I went to was a lutherin one in the north of germany. The lovely idea that to me symbolized the occasion, was that the families lined the pathway to the church , with his on one side , hers on the other. The couple arrived together in a car with flowers in it. Then they started up the path and as they walked on from each side, his father walked with her mother, her father with his mother etc etc and you paired up and walked in behind the couple and then you all sat in a single group. This was a lovely way to show families joining together and also if you have a situation where one side have lots of people and the other side very few again you dont end up with his side her side in the church. Well I have very happy memories about both occasions and it didnt include spending a fortune!