Why should the kallah be the one to suffer?
You could eliminate the solid gold watch and band for the Chassan.
>>>>>>>>>>>!>!!!!!!!!!
BTW, why is it always the have nots trying to change the norm by trying to eliminate something the haves can afford.
My advice has always been: if you can’t afford it don’t do it, and don’t go into debt to impress others.
My daughters were married in our gardens, not some expensive wedding hall. We didn’t have 500 guests, mostly unknown by chassan and kallah.
Work out a budget you can afford and stick to it. If you can only afford a Chevrolet, you don’t buy a Bentley to impress the neighbors.