I suddenly think that weddings are a mass voodoo where every one tries to brain washed everyone to make exceptionally irrational decisions.
We recently profile how hard it is to be rational and happy about making marriage meaningful within budget, this time we get a good article from across the Causeway.
It gives me the feeling that over there, there exist some exceptionally dangerous spending. I wonder if the wages are better over there because if they aren’t, the debts seems bigger.
The sum of money is close to that I see for mortgage loans!
[Malaysia Mail Online | Till Debt do us part]
Cannot shake off costs if your lineage demands it
“My mum’s a doctor, my dad’s a doctor and three of us siblings are doctors. If we do a very simple wedding, people will wonder why we are doing a very simple wedding when we’re doctors,” Dr Farah told.
To be fair, her wedding costs are not astronomical for supposing good income earners. Its expensive by standards but not over the top.
Its most of the time the parents
A Chinese couple in their late 20s that did not want to be named, told The Malay Mail Online that they took out a staggering RM100,000 loan to finance their RM170,000 nuptials last June.
The wedding reception of the 27-year-old woman and 29-year-old man, an online business owner and marketing manager respectively, was held at a five-star hotel.
When asked why they got into such debt for their big day instead of having a smaller wedding, they simply said, “Parents issues”, without elaborating further.
This industry thrives because costs are usually a bit secondary compare to losing face. Face is expensive.
Summary
It’s a good read, and an education of different racial customs and where they devote most of the costs to, so I urge you guys to read it.
Man, and I thought Malaysians have it easier when it comes to weddings!
I think most young folks should focus on having some margin of safety in managing their lives and not “lose face” when you fall on hard time later due to unforeseen events.
In Singapore, we do need some forms to wedding, at least fr Chinese, most expect a wedding banquet, and at least at a renowned restaurant, usually the banquet would pay for itself.
While some of the Forms are inevitable, there are many ways to go about doing it. Sometimes it’s just 1 vanity to blame.
I just went to a wedding which u dun really have a good feeling about. They are about 20k in the red from the banquet alone. Whoa, my whole banquet is less than 20k and I break even. Then I realised oh yea, there is Pre- dinner delights, there is live band singing, there is photography extra, and professional emcee. How much of those are really necessary wen to please parents?
I think one thing is that everyone have to be really happy about it. Its challenging when you know the background that the couple ain’t too comfortable about it but no choice.
The BS about “once in a lifetime” thingy. All commercial hype to make you spend. Seriously, after all these weddings that I had attended and given ang pows, only 1 or 2 that I remembered well. The rest as so SOP, the wedding march, the yam seng, the make-fun-of-the-couple sessions.
A friend booked a wed package, only to find that a similar one in JB cost 40-50% less. Just that the wedding car is Malaysia plate. Then I told them about wedding photos in Taiwan. Yes, you’d fly there but backdrop is far different that your MBS or SBG, and the workmanship is really world class. The cost, incl air fare & hotel, equals to or still cheaper than SG. How about repackaging that as “free wedding photos included with Taiwan holidays”….
i think perhaps all are thinking that way trying to find the best bang for the buck. these are good value add if you appreciate it. but the remembering self would remember how much they spend on weddings rather than the very memorable experience.
that usually happen when you dont attend so many.
Anyway, that big day is utmost not our cards. Hence, we also try to avoid our friend’s very expensive & static dinner.
Worse is that if they split after a few years, can I craw back my ang pow ?
Anyway, that big day is utmost not our cards. Hence, we also try to avoid our friend’s very expensive & static dinner.
Worse is that if they split after a few years, can I craw back my ang pow ?
You have to try being Drizzt. When you can’t eat the food they usually put out, its really there to be supporting them.
We spent slightly over $1000 for our ROM, no wedding banquet, no wedding photos. We explained to both families our preference and they respected our decision. 5 years on, we are still happily married with a lovely 3 year old son. Btw, we have very comfortable incomes and savings. $$$ was never a factor.
Wow i think you are the envy of many of my acquaintances