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In the UK it is estimated that the average wedding costs around $20,000 pounds, which is between $28,000 and $40,000, depending on the exchange rate. That's an average figure - meaning some cost a lot less and some cost a lot more. Given that the majority (probably) cost less, those that cost more must be incredibly expensive.

Is it worth all that money? Partly it's a matter of chronological perspective - for the bride looking forward to the perfect day the answer might well be 'yes'. To the newly-single mother a few years later it may look very different. Fortunately not all marriages end that way, but too many do.

Back to the question - is the big wedding worth the cost? To any question like this I apply the simple eBay principle - how much am I willing to pay for what I want? I can't say that I've ever bought a wedding on eBay, or even browsed what may be on offer, but it's a valid principle however large or small the purchase.

I recently bought, from eBay, a new battery charger for my old Palm hand held. I decided that I did not want to pay very much as the Palm itself was not likely to last more than another year or so, but it was useful enough for me to want to invest something. I decided that 20 was the most I'd be willing to pay. I looked around, found what I wanted, and bid. Sure enough it came in at under 20 and I paid it quite happily. Was the charger worth 20? To me it was, but if someone else had wanted it and had been willing to pay more, then it would have been worth more - to them, but not to me.

That's the same principle when considering the cost of a big wedding. The value is entirely subjective. A millionaire father might want to lavish hundreds of thousands on his daughter's big day to demonstrate either his affection or his riches, or both. Or he might not be so generous because he made his money through thrift, or because he doesn't like the groom. Whatever his reasons, he will set a budget, and the same applies to anyone paying for wedding - it's not just the father of the bride these days.

Some women, or indeed men, want a big, expensive celebration. Again, their motivation can vary - from fulfilling a childhood fantasy to making a conspicuous display of wealth. Others want something smaller - even if they could afford to splash out.

While it is possible to calculate how much a bigger wedding costs it is impossible to calculate how much it is worth to those footing the bill.

Learn more about this author, Andrew Michaels.
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