MODERN DAY WEDDING TRADITIONS MAY HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH ANCIENT CUSTOMS

Weddings today are a $70 billion industry in America and we all know just how important they are to the economy. This industry brings business to florists, caterers, bridal consultants, photographers, jewelers, wedding apparel and honeymoon tourism industries and dozens more.
This is extraordinary and unrivaled in itself. But how did we get here…given that a hundred years ago cultural critics opposed and carped lavish nuptials and those who spent beyond their means.

It has been shown that all of the industries and trades, above, participated. History proves this to be true. The bigger ones, at least, invented the traditions to soothe the discomfort and dislocation of social change and indeed to fill their own pockets. Today we see these “inventions” well entrenched.

When you look at the average “cost” of a wedding (and this does not include the outlays by attendees) that has skyrocketed to about $30,000, you wonder what cost is there to self-aggrandizement?

In her book, “Brides Inc.”, Vicki Howard---who is an assistant professor of history at Hartwick College in Onesta New York--- tells us the complete story. And she hides nothing regarding the overt self-promotion and trickery of the industry participants.

It’s delightful, but also a little scary. The things these people just made up and published as ancient rituals. Maybe eloping is the best answer.