Thank you BMullins.... I mean whats the big deal if a business wants to donate THEIR time and THEIR products.... $50,000 is not what anyone paid out of pocket, and why not give the wedding away, they have bridal shows all the time and people show off their products and no one gets anything out of, why not just have a bride and groom so everything was not just a total waste! It's not that big of a deal...

The event last night was the NACE monthly meeting. We were holding it at that location anyway so let's understand that first of all. The Triangle NACE chapter donates proceeds from these events to the Interfaith Food Shuttle. Last year, we donated $15,000 to the IFS which they use to feed the needy. The event last night had approximately 100 people in attendance. The costs associated with the wedding/meeting were mostly deferred due to the meetings but that makes it no less special to the happy couple. I can't tell you all the specifics of who paid for what because I honestly don't know (and frankly don't care). What I do know is a very large portion of the community donated their time, efforts, talent and even some cash to make this happen for the couple. For people to come back and say they weren't worth it is, quite possibly, the rudest, most insensitive and selfish comments I've ever seen on this board. This was the first time we have done this and, hopefully, wont be the las

bmullins: since you were there last night...with this 50k worth of stuff...please, tell everyone how many people were allowed to attend this 'lavish event'. Really, tell the readers...funny how that is being left out. I went to a friends catholic wedding in Jersey with a reception of a 5 coarse meal, ice sculptures, a DJ and a band...they paid 50k and had almost 200 people there.... I am not jealous at all. If anyone knew the two who were married, you would totally understand. Yes, everyone deserves a chance....wow, but how many times do you have to give them chances. I agree with other posters as far as having several weddings...this way...to be honest with you, the companies involved would have had more advertisment (in a good way). I hope they make it, God bless them, but I doubt they will.

Well now.. this is an interesting response. As a member of NACE, a professional photographer AND I was in attendance at the wedding, let me clear a few things up.

The retail value of the wedding was $50,000. However, most everyone donated their time and/or materials to the couple. Some things were paid for, others were donated. Yes, it was $50,000 total worth of stuff but that's not real money that was given. It is an accumulation of costs associated with all the services provided (photographers, DJ, catering, reception hall, officiants, rentals, dresses, tuxes, etc).

What's the biggest surprise to me is how many negative people are posting about this. It really seems to me that people are jealous moreso then anything. As a member of NACE who actually donated my time last night, it shows to me that no good deed goes unpunished. If we all spent a little more time seeing what we could do to help others, rather then ourselves, this world would be a better place.

i didn't call YOU a cheap bride, but it sounds like the shoe does fit! Put it into an IRA, then you can wonder where it went when the market hits ZERO!