Latest wedding craze: $10,000 light bulbs

Lighting design is not something I ever would have paid for, but our DJ company offered it to us for free to make up for a mistake they made in the planning. We got about $500 worth at no charge, and I have to admit it did make a difference in the atmosphere and we loved it.

That being said, I would *never* spend $10k (or even that $500) on lighting. Wedding details don't have to cost a ridiculous amount of money. What people remember is whether the food was good and whether they had a good time.

It's depressing the things people spend so much money on.. Spend $10,000 on the LIGHTING? For ONE event? For ONE day? Come on! $10,000 would change my poor student life for like, years.

if these people can spend $10,000 on lighting bulbs alone.
i wonder how much would have been spent on food,drinks or cloth.
there are certainly not from Africa.

Wow! That was the rage in the 80s. Why date yourself with not only the ridiculous overspending but a trend from 30 years ago? It was goofy then, it's still goofy.

I'm guessing people who have these kind of weddings aren't concerned about a down payment for a house.
It's their money - let them waste it however they wish. Sure it would be nice and more beneficial to society as a whole if the wealthy would pay someone's medical school tuition, for example, but it's their prerogative if they choose to splurge on a wedding, or on a car that cost more than the homes most of us live in.

I would hope none of my friends would be that stupid.

What a load.. sheesh. Are people really this narcissistic?

“If guests feel like they look good, they’ll stick around and have fun,” Mr. Meeker added.
What?? I go to a wedding because I care about the people getting married, not because I want to *look good*.

Why?

so very very sad.. that money could go to a down payment on a house!

As an event planner, lighting is key! I have done many high end weddings and private events where the lighting made a world of difference. It transforms a room. When I got married in '09, I knew I had to have lighting in my reception room. At first my parents & my husbands parents (especially our fathers) didn't understand why we needed to bring in lighting. Well on the day of the wedding they were blown away. My mom is now all about the lighting. Anytime she talks to a friend who is getting married she tells them all about the lighting. I knew it would be an additional cost, and to some it may seem silly, but the end result was amazing! I would not have changed anything about my wedding day, even though it was expensive :)
And why does it matter to anyone what people pay for their wedding, or anything for that matter? If they are successful and can afford nice things then more power to them! Why should the wealthy have to pay for others? Donations are a choice, not a requirement. How do you know they are not donating money to needy people? Apparently they can afford to do both, so please get off your high horse!

If one has that kind of money and that is the "thing" he/she must have then by all mean feel free to do it. Totally agree with @Pamela R... have back to back weddings coming up and the last thing on my mind is "looking good." Who is going to be paying attention to me? Oh, and since I, my fiance, and the family are planning our own wedding I will be sure to bring this idea up just to see who else in the room wants an "art director" for our wedding. @Crafty Lady 52- you took the words right out of my mouth; it makes my head spin! Also makes me not want a wedding ceremony. Do people come to weddings expecting this sort of thing now? Have all the wedding shows/ wedding coverage of celebs/ wedding mags made us all go a little bit batty?

WHAT ARE WE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN! Where is the common sense these days or is it something of the passed, too?