Stop me if you’ve heard this one…”The wedding industry is a racket!”
Before we dive into that fun little declaration, let’s examine the word itself.
“Racket; an organized illegal activity, such as bootlegging or the extortion of money from legitimate business people by threat or violence. A dishonest scheme, trick, business, activity, etc.:”
Sounds about right, doesn’t it? “We think you should go with the upscale centerpieces and platinum viennese dessert package. If you don’t, we know where you live.”
Indeed. Quite a racket we run.
Now, the genesis of this charge comes from the idea that luxury and experiences are unnecessary, overrated and imprudent. “Don’t splurge on a wedding!”, they say, “Use that money for a down payment. Or a new bed and TV for the guest room. For when I visit.”
This line of reasoning implies that any expenditure on experiences is a racket.
If that’s the case, it’s time to mothball the cruise industry. Tell Disneyland to shutter their doors and re-train Mickey to be a web developer. Inform Las Vegas that shows, clubs and extravagant buffets are no longer en vogue, and that they need to become a city of accountants and engineers.
As Burgess Meredith said in “Grumpier Old Men”…”All we have are the experiences, son. That’s it!”
And the experience of a wedding, the food and music and speeches and dancing with friends and family and crashers, those are the moments we remember. That nexus of time and space where everything is fun. And alive. And perfect.
At WeddingWire World today, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a sea of caterers and venues and florists and bakers and writers and photographers and planners who go to the ends of the Earth to create that perfection.
Exceptional professionals dedicated to their craft, who pump billions of dollars into the economy in the process.
If that’s a “racket”, sign me up any day.
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Geoff Woliner is the Founder and CEO of Winning Wit, LLC, a company which helps organizations write and deliver comedic roasts, individuals write and deliver memorable speeches for weddings and other events, and hosts workshops that teach people how to create original comedy from their own experiences. Winning Wit has been featured on WTOP Radio and in several wedding & event publications as the leader in humorous event speechwriting.
Twitter: @WinningWit
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WinningWit
