I was gobsmacked when I heard that people borrow money to have a wedding. I have never heard of that happening in New Zealand. How common is this? Or am I just mixing in the wrong circles?
It's quite common to be $30,000+ in debt for a wedding where my family is from (Turkey).
Yea but don't your weddings last for days? In the US a wedding can be done in a matter of hours and still cost close to that.
You read too many fairy tales.
I don't know if a lot of people borrow, but ridiculously expensive weddings are common in America, and they are terrible. Many people won't get married if they can't "afford a wedding". Like the parent, our wedding was under $200 when all was said and done, including rings (which neither of us wear).
In Thailand, people borrow money to have a wedding. But guests pay some money (+ gift) at the wedding. So you usually got enough back, if not more, to pay for the debt.
Going into debt for a wedding, in the USA, is very common.
So is divorce. I did the math, and it came up wanting.