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November 22, 2008 10:21:03 CST

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Wedding Biz a Pricey Sham

Posted Jun 15, 08 5:28 CDT in Opinion,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – The wedding industry is a bloated, $10 billion sham that presses each bride to "express her essential self," Janice Turner writes in the London Times. Butterflies in boxes? Check. A “lifesized butterscotch-flavored effigy” of the bride? Check. But as odd offerings increase and wedding bills average $40,000, marriages have hit a 144-year low.

"The wedding industry is the control-freak bitch sister of fashion," Turner writes. "The wedding industry plays to women's picky, list-making, over-thinking, matchy-matchy side, creating imaginary worries that require expensive solutions. Decorate the soles of your shoes, trills Brides magazine, so they won't look too plain when you kneel at the altar."

Source Times (UK)

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A reality show contestant indicates her bridal victory.   (AP Photo/WE tv, Bryan Cary)
A seemingly laid-back wedding scene.   (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
A giant wedding cake at the White House.   (AP Photo/FILE)
An opulent wedding.   (AP Photo)
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marriage • money • wedding • brides • wedding dresses • grooms • conspicuous consumption


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