My wedding cost about $15k as well and that was a buffet dinner. We had our reception on the Riverfront in San Antonio. I have friends with well-to-do parents who spent $50k easy.
The article is right on about the wedding industry. They keep inventing new crap to spend money on. And the dozen or so wedding shows on TLC/Style/H&G do a good job of brainwashing every chick to expect the best. It starts with the ring. I tell everyone she wearing my new plasma TV on her finger.
I know what you mean about the ring. I see ladies with giant stones (mine is a tasteful smaller ring) and think to myself, there is your new TV/part of a car/downpayment on a house. Oh well! To each his own, I say. If you want to spend $10 on a wedding, go for it! If you want to (and have the means to) spend $100,000 on a wedding, go for that too! :)