Weddingbee boards

I think the internet reaction to this wedding was super blown out of proportion, especially for something a couple/family poured their heart and soul into.  That being said, I don't like the theme at all and would never do it for my own event.

I think it's offensive.

Paying thousands of dollars (I forget what the groom said the wedding cost, but it was in the five figures) to have a poverty-themed wedding is bad enough. Having it in the middle of a recession, and having it actually themed to the Great Depression, complete with a "party like it's 1929" poster, is just over-the-top awful.

Not to mention they did things like buy vintage handmade quilts and cut them up to make banners.

@UpstateCait:  I do recall finding out the cost of this one, it was in the 5 digits like Over The Moon said... I think more than 10 but less than 20, but honestly not sure.

ETA: well I googled it, it was a $15,000 wedding.. which is really too much for a depression themed wedding...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/aug/08/hobo-wedding-depression-era

I saw that when it was first posted (before all the comments started rolling in) and I instantly found it offensive. I understand that it is a cute idea in theory and it was executed well but it just stinks of ignorance. That being said, I never commented one way or the other on the etsy blog because it was already done and over with. They can't go back and change it but hopefully others will take it as a cue that it is not a good idea to mock another group of people - intentional or not. 

I think people need better things to worry about- In my opinion they were trying to channel that those that celebrate love and happiness in times of trouble are worthy of celebration. 

I work with people in poverty and none of them would have gone apeshit about this like all the hipsters that jumped down their throats. 

@mcklough:  I second this.  I saw their wedding more as one celebrating simplicity, not as one aiming to mock a group of people.  I also don't understand the comments judging them for how much they spent.  There are couples all over the internet who intentionally plan shabby-chic weddings, who is to say what the maximum budget allowed for a wedding where the theme is to be semi-shabby?

@deathbydesign:  Sure, but I just wonder what the response would be if there hadn't been any specific reference to hobos or the Depression in that blog post.  I mean, would the same budget, decor, clothing, etc. have been okay if they hadn't called it that?

I think the reason why opinion is divided on this is because not as many people are as familiar with the hobo era and the economic downward pressures and history behind it.

Sure, their explanation was cute.  But it's not entirely accurate - hobos weren't really hobos by choice.

I embrace an idea of a wedding based on simplicity - because a commitment to love is really all you need for a wedding.  They could have done a 1920s era wedding and it would have been fine (and perhaps some badly needed commentary at how far we've gotten away from the basics).  But the hobo aspect was ignorant and thoughtless.

As to folks who said the comments were harsh - posting about your wedding in a public forum makes it fair game.  Etsy, in my opinion, shouldn't be promoting celebrations that make light of topics like hunger when at the same time they post items implying they're a socially conscious company.  (They also shouldn't promote the tearing up of vintage quilts.  Sigh.)