Spendthrifts! When I get married, she'll wear her mother's wedding gown and I'll wear my blue business suit. For the reception, we'll have cake and soda in the general-purpose room at our church. She'll get a gold ring instead of a diamond ring because the mark-up isn't as high. Of course, I'll have to make it up to her by being affectionate and faithful, but hey, some women prefer that. Not most American women, obviously, but some women.
The following is the truth.
A little over forty four years ago the girl to be my wife and I picked cotton one Saturday morning until ten AM. We cleaned ourselves up, went to the local Baptist preacher, said our "I do's" and were back in the field by 1 PM and picked cotton until dark. We did not have the proverbial pot to @iss in or a window to throw it out of.
To those who never had the pleasure (not) of dragging a 13 foot tar bottom cotton sack with a 100 pounds of cotton in it, picking a grab row with one who believes it when a kid with a seventh grade education tells her you will make things better, then you have no concept of the blind faith that girl had.
That winter I hitch hiked north to Chicago with ten dollars in one shoe, twenty in the other and five bucks in my pocket. I got a bed at the YMCA , took the first job I found as a night janitor, in two weeks I got a one room apartment and had sent a bus ticket to the wife.
I vowed to make it so my wife someday would not have to ever again experience that life we had gotten out of, or of having to work out side the home. This was accomplished, we raised three great children, was very lucky in calculated choices made, and I retired at age 52. Though not rich, we have little to be concerned about financially or of becoming a burden to others at this stage of life in our sixties, and it feels simply great.
Compared to these $20,000 weddings which are very common (and insane!), its quite cheap.
My parents can't keep from reminding me that they were married 62 years ago, for less than $50.00 including the honeymoon at the Lemmington Hotel in Minneapolis for which they still have the room receipt ($7.00).
How times have changed!
LOL! Good for you Joe! Here's another tip - pick a holiday for your wedding date! This cheapo-bride married on the 4th of July. We had hamburgers and hotdogs at the reception (and cake and soda) in the church basement (it was too hot for outside). Now we don't have to do anything special on our anniversary because there is always a picnic and fireworks somewhere and we always have the day off. How's that for planning?!