What a wonderful idea, should Britain do it?

[**forum-decorum**]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-30270135

I personally think it should, I think it is a wonderful idea.

Of course I would think it because of my own beliefs in the sanctity of marriage but I am not the only one.

As I am struggling to raise funds to give my daughter a nice wedding and saw the above news on the TV today it got me thinking that perhaps it could be something this country's Government could do to help restore the importance of marriage (peoples choice of course) and go a long way in helping ones who would marry if they could afford it. I do know of many couples who can't afford it but still want to live together, the fact that getting married does cost so much is forcing them to go against any moral principles they may have regarding marriage.

I also didn't realise that there are quite a few mass weddings held across the world.

Just wondered what other peoples views were.

[saasher2012]

Hardly an intimate or meaningful way of getting married!
The reason a lot of people are living together has nothing to do with morals, times change things move on. Many people marry in church & it has nothing to do with religion.
You don't have to spend oodles of money on a wedding those that do either can afford it or are up to their eyes in debt to achieve it.
I live near a registry office & I have seen it on a Saturday morning looking like a production line but that doesn't mean that it's any less more intimate & meaningful to the couple & their family.
There is also this to consider,quite a few are marrying a second time & not all churches allow them to get married in the Church no matter the reason for the second marriage !.
Each o their own I say!.

[margaret*e]

You don't have to spend oodles of money on a wedding those that do either can afford it or are up to their eyes in debt to achieve it.

Exactly, people spend 100000s on a wedding, and forget it's the marriage that's important not having a fancy wedding.

As for mass weddings, not for me, but whatever makes others happy.

[lambsy_uk]

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@**forum-decorum** wrote:

the fact that getting married does cost so much is forcing them to go against any moral principles they may have regarding marriage.

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I'm afraid this is false, getting married costs under £200! I'd suggest it is not the cost that's stopping them!

[lambsy_uk]

I think a mass wedding is a decent idea because for me it is a time to celebrate with others and what better way to do that than to have many like minded people who can all share in each other's joy?!

Having witnessed some disappointing weddings and receptions I'd suggest it's a good way to ensure a good day!

[bankhaunter]

Most of the money spent on a wedding is spent on what could be considered non absolute essentials rather than necessary fees etc so I don't think mass weddings would save couples much money.

It would be interesting to attend one however to see what the atmosphere was like, whether it was 'warmer' than a basic registry office job, I was at one once which was best described as 'coldly clinical', so much depends on the registrar.

A survey in the US came up with a curious correlation between the cost of a wedding, the number of guests and the liklihood of a later divorce, economical marriages with lots of guests lasted longer, though I suspect that may be more to do with the couples themselves than a simple matter of money spent.

[bookworm26]

I think its a useful thing to add to the mix, though it wont be for everyone.

You dont have to spend masses on a wedding - my daughter got married a few years ago and she had a DIY/ebay wedding on a small ammount that looked like we had spent thousends.

Mind you, that actually highlights what I consider to be a big part of the problem. My daughters wedding was a success because it was masquerading as an expensive wedding. Peoples expectations of their wedding day is so, so high  these days and if it isnt then somehow its a failure. (puzzled)

[bookworm26]

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@bankhaunter wrote:
 

A survey in the US came up with a curious correlation between the cost of a wedding, the number of guests and the liklihood of a later divorce, economical marriages with lots of guests lasted longer, though I suspect that may be more to do with the couples themselves than a simple matter of money spent.

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Strangly enough, I had always suspected that from what I have seen from my friends and familys weddings, but its interesting that an actual survey shows this.

I wonder if people get so caught up with the "idea" of the weding that they dont think so much about the marriage?

[saasher2012]

Yes I would agree, it seems to be I must have the most expensive dress, reception, honeymoon etc. very little thought is put into why they are getting married. Perhaps that's the problem?

[lambsy_uk]

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@bankhaunter wrote:

A survey in the US came up with a curious correlation between the cost of a wedding, the number of guests and the liklihood of a later divorce, economical marriages with lots of guests lasted longer, though I suspect that may be more to do with the couples themselves than a simple matter of money spent.

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Similar to myself, had an economical wedding where the important thing wasn't for it to be lavish, but for us to have a great day with friends and family!

[lambsy_uk]

I got married because she asked me to. 

[saasher2012]

lol. Well done you!

[upthecreekyetagain]

Excellent idea - for all.

Mind you, my daughter got married last month to a Greek Cypriot - with the size of his family we'd have had to take over the whole venue!

 

The 'money dance' was quite amazing - we didn't see any of it though!

[upthecreekyetagain]

I've just realised you can see me stood at the back in the waistcoat - I swear that wasn't a calculator I was holding!

[saasher2012]

Lovely pictures, your smiling so you've totalled up & liked what you found? lol.

[**forum-decorum**]

aawwwwww. lovely pics creeky, and thanks for sharing the one with the cake, very beautiful couple too.

They look very happy.

Thank you all for your views some very interesting ones.

I do agree about the money side of things, it does only cost a couple of hundred for the actually civil ceremony but you can;t blame the bride and groom wanting a few niceties. My own wedding was very simple, a register office and a small get together with a few family and friends. That is really all my daughter is planning as money is an issue, she isn't the I want expense type anyway bless her.

Of course if the government foot the bill it will only be the cost of the necessary and not all the fanciful celebrations, bit like the benefits system now, and so it should be, but it would be a way for any couple to marry for all the right reasons in my opinion.

I do agree it is individual choice about why marry or not.

[5129frederick]

I wouldn't say our wedding was particularly expensive - church wedding, but after reading the list f who was supposed to pay for what, my late father-in-law actually pulled me to one side.

"Fred", he said,  "I have an idea.  If I give you £200.00 will you elope?"