Is a Big White Wedding Really Necessary?

Sure, there's the romance of walking down the aisle, but do you really need to mortgage your future for a few hours of celebration? Spoiler alert: No, you don't. You could just as easily say “I do” in front of the marriage officer and save yourself the stress of picking out the right vendors.

Of course, some might argue that a wedding is about more than just the party—it’s about the symbolism, the gathering of loved ones, the official beginning of your life together. And that’s sweet, really, it is. But let’s not forget, you can still gather loved ones over for braai and start your life together without the big event that costs more than what you'd have used to buy your first car.

In the end, whether you have a grand wedding or just sign the papers at the courthouse, what really matters is the marriage itself. After all, a wedding is just one day, but a marriage (hopefully) lasts a lifetime. So, maybe rethink that six-tier cake and consider what’s really important: the person standing next to you, not the color scheme of the bridesmaids’ dresses.