HI kinda old/knew to these parts..was a member, didn't have computer for a while, lost account, rejoined...Blah,Blah,Blah but back again...
Anyway.....Not wanting to assume too much here, but sounds like some of you may have not been invited to too many weddings lately....Most weddings I have been invited to or even been aware of lately have been nothing more than an "We want to have an extravagant affair and expect you to not only pay your own way but ours too" event.
Have you seen some of these invitations they look like a vacation itinerary with price list included...you are TOLD what gift to bring and WHERE to get it. You are TOLD what to wear, no not just a color scheme suggestion, but WHAT dress/suit and WHERE to buy it, and should the couple decide they want to get hitched on an island or out of country you are expected to use the airlines, hotels etc they tell you so that the wedding party, not you, but they, can get the "discount".... After you have attended, and paid for, the many pre wedding brunches, dinners ceremonies etc. you will then be herded like cattle to a choreographed event of which you will not know the routine, you will be expected to sit for hours as the couple and wedding party go through ceremonies, songs and routines not seen since the coronation of the queen of England, much of which you can not see or hear and probably of no interest to you. After the ceremony is completed you will be herded to a Refreshment hour, of which you will be paying for your own refreshments as well as expected to send the wedding party complimentary refreshments, after refreshments you will then be sent to "cocktail hour" yes you will be paying for these cocktails as well again sending Complimentary cocktails to the wedding party, then there will be pictures and if you are close enough BFFs or family you can pay to have your pic taken with the wedding party(3-500$ for which you will receive a wallet size copy) after these hours you then will attend dinner, of which you may be charged for....then there will be toasts<several>, of which you will buy your own champagne and will be expected to send one to the wedding party...No don't worry you won't have to be embarrassed by being seen using your CC or cash the wedding coordinator will get you CC info upon your returning your RSVP....it just makes it easier for "everyone"...Ohh and have I mentioned that after all of this and you have invested enough in this affair to send your 1st born to college, unless you are a member of this wedding party, a BFF, or a parent with a credit card to pay for things, you will probably barely get even a glimpse of the "couple" getting married, much less get to actually talk to the couple and congratulate them......So while this Facebook post reaches the height of tackiness this wedding attender should probably count herself lucky she was not humiliated by showing up to the event with the expectation of having to pay for any of the afore mentioned wedding amenities....And might I remind all, it is now considered "Tacky" to actually bring the gift to the wedding/reception those are to be sent no later than about a month before the actual event.
and there you have a 21st century American wedding.