Would you charge people to attend your wedding? In June 2023, NYC-based newlyweds Nova and Reemo Styles charged their close friends and family $333 a ticket to attend their 12-hour nontraditional wedding ceremony in Manhattan.
According to videos shared on the couple’s Instagram page in late May, the duo held their nuptials at the lavish St. Patrick’s Cathedral Church, transporting their guests, who were asked to wear casual and comfy attire to the venue, in a double-decker bus adorned with their beautiful wedding photos.
Planning a wedding in a city like New York can be incredibly costly, with expenses potentially exceeding $63,000, as reported by the Knot. Nova and Reemo faced a daunting $150,000 price tag for their desired venue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral. However, with the support of their generous family and friends, and through a savvy ticket sale strategy, they managed to save nearly $70,000 on their wedding costs, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
What happened at the wedding?
Guests at the celebration appeared to have a fantastic time. The Daily Mail reported that during the reception, attendees enjoyed a delectable lobster and steak dinner. Additionally, the couple had the funds to book Fabolous for a performance, adding a special touch to the event, as seen in a video posted on their Instagram page on July 5. The couple could be seen dancing and sharing laughter with attendees as they partied the night away.
The wedding wasn’t all fun and games.
Nova and Reemo’s nontraditional ceremony made some people upset within their immediate circle. Some couldn’t fathom why the lovebirds would issue tickets for their special day.
“I would never spend money on tickets,” one of their close friends allegedly said, Nova told ABC 7 Chicago. “Who do you guys think you are? Beyoncé and Jay-Z?” another person griped,” according to Reemo. Nontraditionalists also flooded social media to complain about the couple’s wedding strategy, with some calling the move “tacky.”
One user penned, “If you can’t afford to have a big wedding, don’t have a big wedding! Why do people insist on living above their means? The most important part of your marriage isn’t your wedding. It’s actually everything that comes after.”
Despite facing some pushback, Nova and Reemo were thrilled to have thrown their dream wedding. They plan to use the remaining funds to start their family, making their joy even more complete.
What do you think? Was this a good approach to throwing a cost-effective wedding?
Read some of the reactions below.
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