Is Marriage so expensive???

After moving to the US, I have not been in touch with the typical Indian wedding now - until we attended a wedding a couple of years ago in Chennai. I thought it was pretty extravagant - but my mom and sister enlightened me - apparently that was nothing compared to what is going on nowadays! I am shocked at the money being spent on food alone - with varieties and varieties to choose from - who can eat all that? A lot of wasted food is all I am thinking about! I dont get it - is this what is called "conspicuous consumption"!!