Does anyone feel like this WAYYY too much to spend for 1 day?

One word YES !!

i had SOOOO many moments like this throughout the whole process.... and we didnt go overboard with anything, but it was still a Ridiculous amount of money... and ya know what?

It was worth EVERY Single penny, every headache, every doubt, every Everything!!!!!! It was the most amazing day of my life... it was Truly MAGICAL!!!!! and seriously, dont you and FH/FW deserve to start out your life together as Husband and Wife in a magical way?!!

Wow - I could have written this post.

It's about 6 hours for $20K - $$$$$$ Up to between 8 - 12 hours if you get dressed and take pics before the ceremony and count the time between the church and hall (assuming different locations and driving time). Can you tell I've tried to justify the expense. LOL LOL

I was gung ho about this all at first as everyone on this site probably knows. I researched everything to death (still do sometimes) and we went to a TON of halls on LI. I was really into the dress shopping too

After a while though, and after adding up the cost of this 'small' affair for our closest 150 or so family & friends, I realized that it is going to be at least $20K plus the honeymoon expenses which are coming out to like $8K.

I could elope or do the JOP but FI wants the 'proper wedding' as he calls it. I don't think we will regret spending the money though. I think FI would regret if we did not have the whole shindig.

Personally, I'd rather spend that money on a couple of vacations.

it was a lot...yes, but it was a wonderful way to start a marriage! we did it for less than most b/c we were paying for it ourselves with a bit of help. we had to keep it low, but still felt like maybe this money would be better off in the bank. sometimes i regret that yes, we did spend a lot of money b/c now it will be years before we can really go buy a house, but a wedding is the best kind of party and it was worth it. don't bank on getting back what you spent. don't expect any money actually. just enjoy the day, breathe, take it all in, have fun and remember what it is all about and you'll realize that it was worth it. you can't spend time thinking about it b/c you will be discouraged. just enjoy this experience and remember that it really isn't one day...you are spending time planning and then you'll be married

YES

Yes probably way too much money. I cut as many corners as possible using previous event planning job as my backup..

asked questions like
'what are you willing to do for a November wedding vs a January wedding'
'I know this is an off-season for you, what kind of price would you offer...'

In the end, I justify it to myself as the biggest party we were ever going to throw for ourselves.