Wedding Dress Drama: $33K Gown Over Budget!
The story
Recently, my fiancée threw me for a loop when she requested that we scrap the $8,600 wedding gown I had previously purchased for her, in favor of a new dress—one that costs a jaw-dropping $33,000, which is more than half of our entire wedding budget.
Here's the backdrop: I'm engaged to the woman of my dreams who belongs to a Native American tribe, and the wedding is going to take place on her home reservation. Before meeting her, I was already involved with the tribe, helping out where I could, like when I bought a mobile home for an elder whose daughter had been incarcerated, leaving her with three grandchildren to raise.
Thanks to these connections and my contributions, the tribe’s council has allowed us to hold our wedding ceremony there. I’m covering all the expenses for the wedding, which totals up to a fixed budget of $60,000. The event will feature traditional dancers, drummers, and a feast—all catered by women from the reservation. Our wedding is relatively small with 80 guests, including only my mother and my adult nephew from my side.
I genuinely appreciate how hard the tribe works to overcome economic difficulties, and I'm glad that our wedding can bring some financial benefits. My fiancée has always had grand dreams about her wedding since she was a small girl. I’m not particularly keen on wedding details myself, so the spotlight is all hers. I even opted to wear a black gown with tuxedo details to let her shine. My one firm stipulation was a strict $60,000 budget, and I hired a planner to ensure we stuck to it.
A while back, my fiancée found an $8,600 dress she adored, which was immediately bought and fitted. Then, as the wedding plans progressed, one of the tribal elders insisted that she should wear a traditional tribal gown crafted by a native artisan. The price tag for this culturally significant dress is a staggering $33,000, as it would be adorned with intricate beadwork.
When she approached me with this, I was shocked at the expense which would derail our set budget. I suggested perhaps selling the original gown and trying to compromise on the new one’s cost, but the conversation didn’t go well. My fiancée believes that not wearing the tribal gown would be disrespectful and humiliating, not only to herself but to her entire tribe.
Despite having the financial means, I've always been prudent with budgeting—understanding that’s how you sustain wealth. Now, my fiancée isn’t speaking to me, unless it’s to emphasize the urgency that the artisan needs to start on the dress immediately. I’m stuck and frankly, frustrated. What would you do in my shoes?
Imagining this scenario played out in a reality show, it's easy to see the drama escalating quickly. The cameras would feed on our tension, probably zooming in on emotional face-offs about tradition versus thriftiness. Reality TV thrives on such discord, likely painting me as the villain for not yielding or portraying my fiancée as overly demanding. It makes you wonder if true resolution can happen under the public eye or if the pressure would only deepen the divide.
What should I do about this wedding dress debacle? I think my wife is a bridezilla...
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Points of view
man, i get your concern but i gotta say, i totally disagree here; first of all, $8,600 on a wedding dress is already nuts, and now she wants a $33,000 one? no way 😲 i get it's cultural but blowing your budget like that is a bad idea; you already put in a lot for the tribe, so how bout finding a cheaper traditional gown or maybe get help funding it; you gotta put your foot down and stick to your budget; she should understand your view too; sometimes you gotta balance dreams with reality, ya know? hope you guys work it out without breaking the bank; good luck
I understand your predicament and respect the cultural significance of the traditional gown, but I rather disagree with your fiancée's request; spending $33,000 on a single dress seems excessively extravagant. While honoring her tribal traditions is essential, it is equally important to adhere to your budget to ensure financial stability.
As Dave Ramsey often says, "Act your wage." You have already shown immense generosity toward the tribe, and it's commendable. Perhaps you could find a middle ground, such as contributing toward the tribal dress while reallocating funds or seeking financial assistance from the tribe. When my cousin got married, they faced similar budget issues but managed to strike a compromise that respected both sides' wishes. It might be worth trying a heart-to-heart discussion with your fiancée to explore feasible alternatives and move forward together in harmony; best of luck to both of you!
i get where you're coming from, but i rather disagree with the approach; tradition is important, but $33,000 on a dress? that's wild 💸 i've read that "weddings are a celebration, not a financial burden." considering you're already contributing a lot to the tribe, it's reasonable to put a cap on expenses;; when my sister got married, they also had budget challenges but managed to keep it under control by compromising on certain aspects
maybe you guys can find a way to honor her culture without going overboard; there's got to be a middle ground here where you respect the tradition without blowing the budget, you know? try to sit down and have an honest convo about priorities and see how you can make it work for both of you! remember, it's all about finding a balance between tradition and financial prudence; hoping you both figure out a solution that makes everyone happy 😊
I completely understand the delicate situation you are in, and I mostly agree with how you have approached it so far. The cultural significance and the emotional weight that your fiancée attaches to the traditional gown are truly noteworthy. It is wonderful that you respect and want to honor her heritage as part of your wedding ceremony. That said, the steep $33,000 price tag is understandably worrisome given your budget constraints.
Perhaps there is room for a middle ground here. I once faced a similar issue with unavoidable costs, and we managed to reach a compromise that honored tradition while keeping our finances intact. Could there be a way to work together with the tribe to fund part of the dress or maybe find a slightly less expensive alternative that still holds cultural value? Mutual understanding and open dialogue are often key to resolving such matters. I am positive that with a little creativity and cooperation, you both can find a solution that respects your financial limits and her cultural values. Best wishes for your upcoming wedding and future together 😊