[Shoe]

I think the main thing is, people get caught up in trying to make the perfect wedding, and end up paying ridicously inflated prices for it. The whole wedding planning business, from photographers to reception halls knows this, and as soon as you mention wedding they increase their prices as much as possible.

It is possible to "value-shop" if you will and still throw a good/big wedding and reception at a reasonable price, it just takes a lot more work.

Also I completely agree, this is not something you should be going into debt or sacrificing a down payment on a house for.