Do you like weddings?

I don't mind the ceremony and the meal. It's all the other stuff - the four hour gap between the I dos and sitting down for dinner while the happy couple disappear to have six million photographs taken, the aimless waiting around while the room is set up for dancing, the ear splitting music that goes on until the small hours, and the pressure to stay on for the next day barbecue/barn dance/post wedding party.
It's just too much and too dragged out.

nanna8

We just went to the best wedding last month. Our granddaughter got married on her father’s farm and it was a perfect afternoon and evening in the open with an open sided marquee, hay bales round the edge and a food truck where you went and ordered whatever food you wanted. There was a bar outside,free drinks for all, and we danced way into the night with a great band who could play anything you wanted. A far cry from the formal garbage we had to put up with.

I do enjoy Aussie weddings ?

Well, I enjoyed weddings here too if they're a bit more informal.

Two family weddings have been postponed because of Covid and I don't know if they'll bother now.

Congratulations to the happy couple, nanna8
??

Depends on the wedding.
What I really dislike is very loud music later on, with nowhere to escape to. A sister in law who I rarely see and I, once had to go outside into drizzle, because inside the venue it was impossible to hold any sort of conversation.

Dh and I, plus 2 other similar age family couples, once apologised well in advance to the B & G that we would not be staying for the later part of the wedding (dinner and dancing, presumably with the usual over-loud music.).

We were all staying at the same hotel, so the 6 of us had a quieter, civilised dinner elsewhere.
B&G were also saved the cost of our meals.

The rest of the wedding was lovely, though, and I honestly don’t think the B&G cared (G was a not-close relative) - they had plenty of friends there to make merry with - and all of us boring old farts/fartettes had included nice amounts of cash in the cards.

I was at a wedding once where the father of the bride, who was paying for the wedding, went up to the band before they started playing and warned them to keep the volume DOWN. It worked and was very pleasant.

I love weddings, with all that hope and optimism for future happiness. Yes I know many end in tears, but many don't, and to look forwrad to something positive is wonderful.
The best weddings that we've been to are those that are low key, and focused on bringing everyone together. Expensive hotels and meals are so unneccessary.
And they're a great excuse for a new dress, and seeing DH smarten himself up for a change.

Our son and daughters weddings were beautiful but on both of these occasions the catering was a total let down. It's one of the most important parts of a wedding and should be amazing. Although the last wedding we went to was a traditional Jewish wedding the food was absolutely amazing. Unfortunately that marriage ended just after a few years. Two other weddings we attended also ended in divorce after such a short time. I am now wondering if some people just want the wedding day.

It's the dressing up part I dislike the most.
Any kind of a "do" that involves proper shoes and a non elasticated waistband is a nono for me.

I agree with that part the formalities of an outfit never to be worn again and proper shoes!

MissAdventure

It's the dressing up part I dislike the most.
Any kind of a "do" that involves proper shoes and a non elasticated waistband is a nono for me.

Dd ditched the idea of ‘favours’ on the tables, for a lot of flip flops in various sizes, for the women whose feet were starting to kill them later on - they went down extremely well.
It was a height of summer wedding, though.
The blokes got nothing, but I doubt that they cared - we had a free bar!

I enjoy any wedding the couple have decided is for them.

An opportunity to meet up with family and friends to celebrate thé happy couple has always been my experience of a happy day welcoming either bride or groom to the family.

Well I suppose if you're someone who enjoys clothes, then it's likely you'll utilise them again at some point. .

I love a wedding, the ones I’ve been to all stick out in my mind, all different and reflective of the couples. It’s important to celebrate the good things in life. I enjoy getting dressed up, seeing family and friends - and most of all the joy of the couple getting married.

MissAdventure

It's the dressing up part I dislike the most.
Any kind of a "do" that involves proper shoes and a non elasticated waistband is a nono for me.

???

It's a reason to go on a diet!

I think some young couples get so caught up in the idea of their 'special day' they forgot that guests have travelled from far and near, spent a fortune on outfits, presents and overnight stays, and given up their entire weekend and they're entitled to some consideration. Leaving them sitting in the bar for hours while you have photographs taken, and subjecting them to another few hours of absolutely ear splitting music is not considerate. Would people do this to guests they'd invited around for dinner?

Nowadays some couples also think it's fun to split guests up from everyone they know and seat them at tables of strangers for the meal and speeches. I find that rude.

I went to a whole weekend wedding once, in a castle.
I was chatting to my uncle, with a drink in one hand, and a plate of food in the other, when the straps of my dress slipped off my shoulders, and my dress fell down to my waist.

Each to their own . I married in the 70s. White dress with very high neck and long sleeves, no plunging necklines then! Church service , lovely reception then left immediately from wedding venue for honeymoon. Had to take my ' going away outfit to the venue! How times have changed - but times DO change and I try to keep pace as best I can.

There is a lot of divorce in my family so we've been to lots of weddings

MissAdventure

I went to a whole weekend wedding once, in a castle.
I was chatting to my uncle, with a drink in one hand, and a plate of food in the other, when the straps of my dress slipped off my shoulders, and my dress fell down to my waist.

sounds like an episode of King Gary

If people don't want the fuss of a large wedding - buying an outfit , possibly booking a hotel, travel , hanging about waiting to eat not to mention the cost ! The solution is quite simple , wish the happy couple well , buy an appropriate gift if you want to and politely refuse the invitation. No necessity to give a reason , the couple will understand and appreciate your speedy reply. Can't see what all the fuss us about - Go or don't go . Easy!!

It wouldn't have happened if I'd been wearing a skirt with an elasticated waist.

I enjoy the dressing up bit, approve of children being there, can cope with frankly often mediocre food but am quite hurt at not being on any photos. It’ s all about “them” and what they can get these days.

I enjoy weddings, although I haven't been to many. The last one was 2019 in Ireland and it was lovely. Not extravagant, just lovely. There is always a happy atmosphere at weddings.
But I no longer enjoy the evening party afterwards, too much noise for me.
I do feel that some weddings are ridiculously over the top these days and cost the earth. It seems such a waste of money. Up to them I suppose, but it seems bonkers to me.

I love weddings ,just as well as we photographed @ 4000 ..Castles or village halls Daughters of Dukes or the window cleaner down the road.I can only remember a couple that were all about show and not about people .
The young couple who got married the day after they left school at 16 ,I still see them in the town ,still married 40 years on .The couple who get married in hospital because she was dying...still makes me tear up.
The one where the bride left the reception alone when the groom was discovered in a side room with a bridesmaid.They didn't get back together .Most marry with every intention of it being for life ,most have family and friends who wish them nothing but well .Whats not to like ?

I love weddings ,just as well as we photographed @ 4000
Yes, just think of all the people who'd be put out of work if weddings were no longer fashionable!