[Kobi]

As a social science person, I love threads like this cuz it gives me the opportunity not only to learn what people think or do but why they think or do it. "Why" means a lot to me but I can be weird that way.

I like traditional type weddings for young people. It is familiar to me and feels good to celebrate their new life together in a special kind of way. It's kind of like a welcome to adulthood and the community as a new family kind of thing.
And, it is family driven.

For older couples, or those who have been married before, the meaning seems more personalized, tailored to each couple. It is couple driven rather than family driven.

Am used to families or the couple themselves setting a budget for the type of wedding they choose to have. Am used to the couple budgeting for the honeymoon. With the costs today, variations are not uncommon. It still feels odd to me to ask your guests to absorb part of the costs of either.

I like when people register cuz I hate shopping and it takes the guess work out of things. I dont understand using a registry when people have been together for years or are merging households. That seems less about necessity and more about upgrading.

I have never gotten an invitation or heard of one that specified a donation in leiu of a gift. Might this mean people feel guests should contribute something or that guests expect to contribute something and this is a way to do it?

The most unique wedding invitation I ever received was one that specifically said, "Please omit gifts. We just want to enjoy your company." That was cool. I like clear cut meaning. LOL.