Figured I’d do some prelimary research to get a ballpark idea of the going minimal cost for a Christian wedding.

Results A: This ad goes along smooth until it gets to the cost, then it gets ambiguous and confusing! “Most couples choose to buy a complete 'package' which includes flights, hotel, and wedding-usually costing around $500/ five hundred pounds each. It is possible to save money and organize the wedding yourself.” They use the words ‘couple’ and ‘each’. Does ‘each’ mean ‘each couple’ or ‘each person’? Also, you don’t use a dollar sign to denote pounds. Maybe their keyboard doesn’t have that special pound symbol (we’re not talking ‘lb’) and they had to improvise. And what ‘pounds’ are they referring to? The British, United Kingdom (GBP)? No, because Europe has converted to the Euro. They must be referring to the Cyprus Pound (CYP).

Today the CYP exchange rate is 1 CYP per 2.17351 US Dollar. If you ask me, they’re talking 500 x 2.18 = $1,090.00 per person, totaling $2,180.00.

Results B: This ad starts off with a lie! “Both Bride and Groom must be in Cyprus for at least 5 working days before the wedding can take place.” The truth is, at least 24 hrs. Based on their lie, they recommend that you book a two-week stay. And “We will then ask you to complete our Weddings booking form, found on the back page of our brochure, and return it to us together with your deposits both for the wedding, £80 per person, and for your holiday, £80 per person. Please remember to indicate any wedding extras you may require.” 80 pounds per person, twice = 160 pounds per person twice = 320 pounds in deposits fees! 320 x 2.18 = $697.60 deposit (don’t think they mentioned total cost).

P.S
I came across a related and very interesting story about the ordeal a couple wanting to get married had to go through! In this story they mentioned ‘proxy weddings and ‘mail–in’ weddings from Paraguay. What?

Click here to read this related story!

As for proxy weddings, if you knew the exact procedures and legalities I guess it could cost you $500.00 to $800.00. But there seems to be a consulate of Paraguay in Tel Aviv who tacks on a middle man fee costing $1,095 (3 week) to $1,495.00 (emergency 24-40 hr). Update! Proxy marriages are no longer legal in Israel, as of 2 yrs ago. In fact, Israel tried to null and void all previous marriages done this way in the past, but failed. 1/14/04

When Lura and I got married I think it was around $800.00 dollars for a marriage package deal! I thought it was a little high for a 20 minute flight but not bad I guess. We had everything lined up, went to purchase the package and were told that we needed two, one each, so it cost us $1,600.00.

In the states we have laws against false advertisement, bait and switch, lemons, etc, here NOT! You really have to stay on your toes doing business in the Middle East!

When Lura and I got married we didn’t know anything about all this proxy stuff. Sounds a little fishy to me! Nevertheless, just giving you the inside scoop!

So when I post a wedding package as a project at least you who read all this will know what all is going on. That it’s not about springing for someone’s honeymoon or wedding reception. It’s really about incurred expenses to and from the chapel. Plus you have a preliminary idea of the horrible cost.

Well all this cost to get married is just one of the many, many hardships you must endure here in the land of Israel if you let your light shine and they find out you believe in Jesus as the messiah.

Personally I feel that if we talk a person out of aborting a baby, we have just become godparents if need be. When we baptize a person it’s not over, it's just the beginning!