Parents can't be expected to pay for the wedding at today's prices. I'd offer to cater for a back yard wedding and wear a nice dress.
In the old days when the parents paid for it that is how it was. Simple church wedding and a reception at home or locally. Not like now when the guests have to arrive in Honolulu for a sunset wedding on the beach and snorkelling for wedding photos.
I am 1 of 5 daughters. Dad didn't pay for any wedding and we were each married in a Registry Office with a dinner at a restaurant following. I'll also add, we were still living at home till the wedding night.
He gave us a certain amount of money from which we bought household goods like a fridge or washing machine. Just as well; we all ended up divorced.
None of our selections was "just like Dad" - they were all spendthrifts.
