A Surcharge for Having a Hindu Wedding?

In June my partner and I will make our contribution to the United States' $51 billion wedding industry. Yes, weddings are about friends and family, but they are also about the cost. Weddings are expensive. Mine, which is going to cost more than my car, is in keeping with the national average of more than $22,000. In my family, the expectations about a proper wedding are high. Indian weddings are lavish, colorful spectacles and have only become more so over time. Even in the U.S., where Indian weddings are often muted in comparison with those performed in India, the celebration involves several events; many guests; a flower-bedecked wedding platform or mandapa; an involved, lengthy ceremony; and lots of food.