<prompt> Human: Some friends of mine are getting married sometime next year, and recently got into a very public argument on Facebook a out paying 2-3k on wedding photography. Hed rather spend on making the event more fun open bar and a better honeymoon, shed rather have the photos. My wife and I got lucky with relatives who are great photographers, so we didnt have to deal with this, but Id like to know what this group thinks. From a personal finance standpoint, how does Wedding Photography fit into the hierarchy of non-recurring expenses? Personally I dont think anyone should be spending 30-50 of their wedding budget on photos, but maybe Im looking at it wrong. Is it really worth it?  <response>: Personally I think the first focus of the wedding should be on everyone bride, groom, guests having a really excellent time so that everyone remembers sending them into married life fondly. I dont believe in karma, but I think it creates something akin to good karma moving forward. It sets them into their new life with positive memories and vibes and helps them feel supported and celebrated as a couple.Ive been to weddings recently! where the planning focus was clearly on things like centerpieces and other expenses which were ephemeral, no one really cares about, and which ultimately dont matter aside from impressing people with the amount of money that was spent. Those weddings were beautiful visually but awful to be at and had a horrible vibe. Along those lines, I think an open bar can contribute very well to having a wedding with a good atmosphere - not so that people can go crazy and get very drunk and hungover, but because weddings can be awkward and stiff lots of strangers interacting in fancy clothes and you want everyone to loosen up and enjoy themselves and be joyous.I think photography is also an important expense, though.All that said, the real issue here is that the couple is fighting publicly about this or anything on Facebook. Im sorry, but there is no way in which fighting in front of all your friends, with a written record for posterity to boot, is indicative of a healthy or mature relationship - both things which should be required of a couple before marriage. 