I can't afford to attend weddings anymore

Looking down at the latest wedding invitation, I saw an original letterpress design on textured, handmade paper with a wax seal on the back and multi-colored woven ribbon. This was a $10 invitation easily.

Flowers were everywhere! An arch of flowers here, a table of flowers there. Two photographers, one videographer, and a florist were easily spotted as I made my way to the venue seating.

As the bride walked down the aisle, Perfect by Ed Sheeran played and I thought, "Good song choice." I was seriously happy for this couple.

Then the reception happened—and the bill for attending came due.

By the time I paid for a new dress, shoes, a gift for the wedding, two gifts for two different bridal showers, a gift for the bachelorette party, the fuel for my car, and a hotel room in order to attend, I was just about broke for the month.

By the time I paid for a new dress, shoes, a gift for the wedding, two gifts for two different bridal showers, a gift for the bachelorette party, the fuel for my car, and a hotel room in order to attend, I was just about broke for the month.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good celebration. And really, it was a beautiful wedding. I was honored to be invited.

Honestly, I would prefer they had a quiet, simple ceremony and spent the money they saved on a house or trip. However, it is not my wedding. It is theirs. They can do what they want.

In my humble opinion, a wedding is just two people standing in front of everyone they love, committing themselves to one another for the rest of their lives. Fancy bells and whistles not required.

However, at my age, vocation, and current personal proclivities, the odds are stacking more towards a small wedding for me as well. A simple white dress, a gold band, and a small reception at a local restaurant, probably a brewery, is pretty great as long as my love is with me.

Plus, we could use that extra money for a downpayment on a new car or our first home.