Wedding Cost is just the beginning

Marks recent post on the cost of his daughter’s upcoming wedding made me think about and remember fondly the 2 weddings we “hosted” (sponsored, bankrolled… not sure what the right term is) now 17 and 12 years in our rear view mirror.
Yes, the costs and add ons were outrageous then but we paid for them, survived and even retired since.

Mark, if you think the wedding is expensive wait until the costs of family social gatherings (including your new in-laws), gifts (for now another family member, your new SIL), vacations, holiday visits (if the don’t live near by) start to add up. And that’s BEFORE the blessed grandchildren (hopefully) arrive!

Believe me, it is wonderful if you can afford these things (deposits just put down for 3 sleep away camps and 1 day camp for the youngest one for next summer) but the expenses don’t end and just keep increasing exponentially. And when we go out to nice restaurants (chosen by them) to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions there is never a mention of splitting or even contributing to the check or “I’ll leave the tip, Dad”.

Mark, get used to it. The wedding costs are simply “spring training“ for the bills you will be footing for the rest of your life (hopefully for a very long time). Just be thankful you/ we can afford it…and it helps the young couples save for THEIR retirement someday! I call it my new favorite acronym, SKI- Spending Kids Inheritance!