I had two siblings get married in recent times and their celebrations were under $15,000 in the NYC/Long Island area. I think people need to revisit their relationship with money and readjust themselves. Not everyone needs a ridiculous over-the-top celebration. If you are of humble means, there's nothing wrong with a humble life and a humble wedding for that matter.

Is there a source of average price per wedding over time, since say 1800? $12,000 still sounds over the top, even accounting for inflation.