Weddings are Silly

For the past few weeks (months, actually) I've been involved with the planning and execution of 2 weddings: one for a very dear friend of mine, and one for my brother. The longer time goes on, the more convinced I am that weddings are very silly.

Case in point: a person spends anywhere from $5,000 (for a very conservative wedding) to $26,000 (the average wedding cost, according to Google) for one day, inviting anywhere from 200-500 people, making everything perfect and wonderful and doing the right thing and getting the right stuff, all for ONE DAY. Am I the only one who sees something a bit off with this? And that's not even going into all of the stress of planning and execution. Most brides are exhausted by the end of the day...it's a lot of hassle....etc.

I know that some married women would probably say to me 'but it's all worth it in the end!' And yes. I agree that marriage is wonderful and SO worth it (not that I'd know, but, y'know, I watch and learn from the people around me ;) ), but I think the whole wedding thing needs to be done differently.

You know what I think would be hilarious and a simple way to get around it? Back in the old days if a couple wanted to get married, they would go up at the end of a church service, exchange their vows, and that was that. So, my idea (if a girl can find a guy--or more accurately, a prospective mother-in-law--to go along with it) is when one is engaged they keep it on the down-low. Like they plan on living arrangements, honeymoon, etc quietly, but not tell anyone except the pastor (and maybe parents, if they can keep a secret) what's up. Then after a church service one day they go up to the front, exchange vows, and split while the congregation reels from shock. And then make sure there's a potluck or something to distract said congregation after the couple leaves. 

I think it's a brilliant idea, anyway. It'd save a chunk of change and side-step all the planning and stress and such. (Plus the looks on peoples' faces would be PRICELESS. I'm just sayin'.)

Does anyone else agree with me? If you're married would you have done something differently? Maybe not as drastic as my suggestion, but something?