According to a study conducted by The Knot, the average modern American wedding costs somewhere around $34,000.

That’s somewhere around half the general median household income in this country.

Imagine spending half or more of the money you’ve brought in in an entire year on just one party. It boggles the mind, but if the data is to be believed, then that’s almost certainly happening at least sometimes.

Of course, there are others who go the opposite route. Let’s hear a bit from them.

10. Veiled insults

Turns out spending enormous sums on a piece of lace you’ll use for five minutes isn’t super necessary.

Source: Whisper

9. Zero debt

That’s what I’m talking about. You’re starting your life together – why throw extra debt into that?

Source: Whisper

8. Blow a crap ton

What do you MEAN having a place to live is more important??

Source: Whisper

7. Priceless

At the end of the day, it’s just a shiny rock.

Source: Whisper

6. If you’re dedicated

Almost wild that spending thousands of dollars on a party is still considered “nothing.”

Source: Whisper

5. All the wrong reasons

Gotta keep things in perspective.

Source: Whisper

4. Courtroom weddings

That’s all it takes to get legal, the rest is pageantry.

Source: Whisper

3. $20

Wait, what shoes cost $20? Like…not even the cheapest sneakers cost that! Were you wearing flip flops?

Source: Whisper

2. As cheap as we can

Gotta love it when a dream is achievable.

Source: Whisper

1. Never figured

Maybe it won’t be so bad?

Source: Whisper

Now if you’ll excuse me, I gotta get back to work. If I ever think I’m gonna get married I’d better start seriously saving up…

What do you think about wedding prices and practices?

Tell us your thoughts in the comments.