I was gobsmacked when I heard that people borrow money to have a wedding. I have never heard of that happening in New Zealand. How common is this? Or am I just mixing in the wrong circles?

It's quite common to be $30,000+ in debt for a wedding where my family is from (Turkey).

Yea but don't your weddings last for days? In the US a wedding can be done in a matter of hours and still cost close to that.

You read too many fairy tales.

I don't know if a lot of people borrow, but ridiculously expensive weddings are common in America, and they are terrible. Many people won't get married if they can't "afford a wedding". Like the parent, our wedding was under $200 when all was said and done, including rings (which neither of us wear).

In Thailand, people borrow money to have a wedding. But guests pay some money (+ gift) at the wedding. So you usually got enough back, if not more, to pay for the debt.

Going into debt for a wedding, in the USA, is very common.

So is divorce. I did the math, and it came up wanting.

+1 for this.

I've been happily married for 10 years and paid about the same for our wedding and bands. It was a registry office and cheap rings.

It was about the marriage and not the wedding.

I think people forget this these days.

Our wedding bands totalled $198. The deli platter took use over $200.

My sister bought the deli platter so I didn't count it.

With inflation it would be a bit more today.