According to the report published this year by the World Population Review, the average age of marriage has risen to chilling levels. Spain leads the ranking with 38.8 years, and the next country on the list is Chile, with 37.8. What is happening? While a few are getting married young to start the crazy family adventure, thousands of young people prefer to look to the ground and postpone the decision. Why? In this column I want to look at the economic-play factor. In some cases couples are just saving up to follow the fashion of throwing a million-dollar party.
According to a report in El Mercurio (8-11-2025), in Chile, a high standard wedding that hires a banquet hall for 300-400 guests, heating, lights, photographer, dance floor, DJ, instant photo booth, among other details that popularizes Instagram, can cost as much as 60 million pesos! (56.000 €).
The organization begins almost a year in advance: long guest lists, exorbitant prices for each guest, abundance of alcohol. Little by little, the current account is bleeding to death. “I have four little daughters... four! -a friend said to me. When they want to get married, I hope this fashion has changed so they don't ruin me.”.
Is it reasonable that the wedding party has become such a demanding event? The union between families has always been a source of joy. Not only for those clans, but for the whole city. It is a celebration of love and fertility. The bride and groom promise each other fidelity and respect for all the days of their lives. Those who were teenagers settle in life, mature, and aspire to sponsor the most important asset of the nation: children. The way to channel this overflow of joy is by sharing it. Hence, families organize a meal to share their joy with others.
However, countless couples have lost focus. And the problem is not only the disproportionate expense, but also the abundance of time they waste on organization! The eagerness to spend causes the few people who get married to face the stress of incorporating practically a second job into their schedules. In addition to the daytime workday as teachers or executives somewhere, they take on an evening workday as producers of the event.
Let's burst the bubble of opulence! Let's go back to the old simplicity! When partying has become a barrier to entry for marriage, it means that the time has come to stop and reflect: what does it mean to get married?
