Not the entire tab, but they're increasingly paying themselves and financing with debt and his generally higher-income often leads to him footing more of the bill (which is fair).

Also, you have to look at the precise breakdown, as bride's family only cover the dress and the main wedding party. Engagement party and ring, wedding ring, transport, rehearsal dinner, honeymoon, etc. is usually on him. 

 I’m not going into debt for a wedding. Hard no. 

 My point is more that people are underestimating how much money goes into getting married. Taking a portion of that and handing it over in Bitcoin (rather than a big rock in the ring, for instance) would maybe be more sensible.

There's a lot of "wealth signaling" that doesn't contribute to lasting wealth. 

 I’m so ok with eloping and putting money towards areas to help build a life with your spouse. My partner doesn’t have to spend 2 months salary on a ring. I’d rather make those decisions together. Honestly I’ve seen too many people go almost crazy with stress planning a wedding. I’d rather build and plan for a life than focus on one day. 

 Yeah, same. 

 On the other hand, I think a lot of this spending serves some concrete purpose, like a dowry-effect. It shows what the bride is worth, basically, and that the groom isn't a pauper.

I think this is why my husband resisted my "let's just have a chili cookout in the backyard" idea. I sometimes appear so poor that it attracts men who think I'm unloved and being neglected. 

 I’ve had men tell me that they felt like the engagement ring is more of a signal to other men. I’ve seen engagement rings I wouldn’t wear swimming cause you’d just sink right to the bottom. 

 😂

Yeah. I originally said I didn't need one and he was like nope, you're getting one.
And it did have a tangible, immediate effect on other men. 

 I didn't even realize how many men were interested until I had the ring on and they were like, Darn, too slow.
Fr, bro? 😄🤷‍♀️
But my husband realized it.

I don't pick up on a lot of stuff.