Would you pay to go to a wedding?

NewKittenHelp

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

There are usually loudspeakers outside the churches, so people can hear everything anyway.
The ceremony is the most important part of the wedding, what's the point coming just for the reception?
We even had some people coming only to the church, to witness us get married, then going home. And everyone invited to the reception was at the church, and this was rather obvious for us. Also, we didn't divide guests into "those, who are getting dinner" and "those, who only get some snacks". Everyone was there from the beginning (wedding was at 4pm) until late (last guests left at 5am).

Which churches?! I'm assuming you mean in Poland because we certainly don't have loudspeakers here.

Obviously this is a differing cultures thing.

GobbledyGook

I've only ever seen loudspeakers on churches on the tv for big events like funerals and weddings of famous people. Not on your average church for a 'normal' person's do.

PolishBigSpender

jellyhead wrote: »

But how do they manage if there's seating for 40 people?

The family members sit down, if there's more people than chairs, the rest is just standing at the back of the room.

jellyhead wrote: »

As for loudspeakers being outside churches ... I don't go to church! I think getting married in a church if you are not a follower of the religion is disgusting, it's such an insult to the church and to the marriage itself. Getting married before God only means something if you believe in Him.

I fully agree with you here! I hate it when people only get married in a church because it's pretty!
As for loudspeakers, someone was asking - yes, it's pretty common in Poland to have loudspeakers outside the church.

GobbledyGook

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

The family members sit down, if there's more people than chairs, the rest is just standing at the back of the room.

You wouldn't be allowed to do that at the registry office here. They are licensed for a certain number of people and that is the maximum that is allowed in - seated or standing doesn't come into it.

NewKittenHelp

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

The family members sit down, if there's more people than chairs, the rest is just standing at the back of the room.

I fully agree with you here! I hate it when people only get married in a church because it's pretty!
As for loudspeakers, someone was asking - yes, it's pretty common in Poland to have loudspeakers outside the church.

That can't happen in many places, so what's your answer then? Have them stood outside waiting too?

fawd1

Alisha2008 wrote: »

I'm spanish and in Spain everyone does this.. in fact lately they even put the Bank Account number on the invitations! The "norm" is that each guest gives enough money to cover their meal + gift.

I personally find this disgusting and if I got married (I don't think i will), nothing would make me happier than being able to invite the people I love to a nice meal & party, and expect nothing in return.

On the other hand I find really difficult to give a nice present to a couple that have been living together for years and have everything.. but this is a different issue!

Erm, really? I am also Spanish and have been to many weddings over there (27 first cousins!!) and not on one single occasion has this happened. I would have been utterly shocked and disgusted too!! I've only ever been asked for things from a gift list (usually from El Corte Ingles, or Zara Home) or once we were asked for experience days for the couple on their honeymoon, but again these were paid through an agency and they were just given the vouchers to go off and do said activity.

jellyhead

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

The family members sit down, if there's more people than chairs, the rest is just standing at the back of the room.

They don't allow that here. The maximum is 40 and they won't let 41 in, they just won't. It's against the law.

Ellie83

I really don't mind giving money as a gift. I really don't (where I come from, it's the done thing, people don't even think about it). What I would object to is for it to be written on the invite. I would rather go and ask the bride and groom (or their parents) and to see if they have a gift list or if they would prefer money/vouchers.

To be fair though, I have only received ONE wedding invite with a mention of gifts. All other invites never mentioned anything. And ours certainly did not either!

jellyhead

Ellie83 wrote: »

To be fair though, I have only received ONE wedding invite with a mention of gifts. All other invites never mentioned anything. And ours certainly did not either!

I've had 5 wedding invites this year (3 were reception only) and only one of them mentioned gifts/money (we couldn't make that one).

I'm happy to give money too, or currency for wherever they are going on honeymoon.

ziggy2004

I have been to a lovely low budget wedding where the bride and groom did not have any money for a meal. Together with some friends we arranged instead that a local cafe would stay open later and we could have exclusive use of it. Anyone wanting to join the bridal party for a meal came to the cafe and paid for their own food ( and ended up offering to pay for the bride and groom as well). If people preferred not to come along and make their own arrangements for food that was perfectly fine.

We had a lovely meal and it was a fabulous wedding, the bride and groom loved the fact that their friends pulled together like this

I would object to being invited to pay for a meal as specified by the bride and groom as part of the invitation.