[kscaldef]

Not to mention that $25k is considered a completely reasonable amount to spend on a car.

There's no doubt that the wedding industry is a racket (oh, did you want your dinner guests to have forks? That'll be $3 each. Water glasses too? ...) but also there's something to be said for not cheaping out on what's ostensibly one of the most important days of your life. FWIW, we managed to pay less than many people, while getting much better food and drinks than the average wedding and a more memorable, personalized experience by foregoing traditional wedding venues and caterers and instead simply buying out one of our favorite restaurants for the evening.

[whatusername]

A car has some level of re-sale value though. UNlike a Diamond or a Wedding.

[rayiner]

Good diamonds depreciate less than say cars or stereo equipment or computers. A Tiffany's ring with GIA certs can resell for half its original purchase price. There is an active secondary market in diamonds, so if you buy a high-quality GIA certified stone used, you should be able to sell it for a similar price to what you bought it for. Most of the depreciation on a diamond happens the moment you "drive it off the lot" so a used diamond is going to retain its value much better than a used car.

The key though is having a good quality stone from a reputable cutter with full certification. Diamonds are not fungible like say gold. A low-quality diamond purchased in an expensive mass-market ring isn't going to be worth anything on resale.

[spankalee]

Where is this secondary market that you speak of?

[rayiner]

Same as the secondary market for used laptops or whatever. There are people who buy used diamonds. Check out pricescope.com.

[clobber]

Just those pawn shops that will give you 10% of what your shiny rock is 'worth'

[randomdata]

I used to share in that sentiment, but then I realized a wedding isn't about me, it is about showing the people who have been there for me over the years a great time. Marriage just becomes an excuse to bring them together. What is a few bucks to show someone close to you a fantastic night at least once in your life?

My wedding was stockily expensive by my standards (low to mid five figures), but with gifts we essentially broke even and the party was priceless. I would do it again.