“Shark Tank” Star Kevin O’Leary Says ‘Huge Weddings’ Are a ‘Waste of Money’ — Here’s Why

**Kevin O’Leary Advises Couples to Forego Lavish Weddings and Prioritise Financial Stability**

Kevin O’Leary, the well-known investor and business personality from the reality television show “Shark Tank,” has recently shared a straightforward financial mantra for couples preparing to wed. Speaking in a video posted on social media platform X, O’Leary urged couples to reconsider the traditional, extravagant wedding as a means of solidifying their love. Instead, he promotes a more practical approach that involves saving money and investing in their future together.

The multi-millionaire’s comments resonate with his own experiences from the 1990s when he and his wife, Linda O’Leary, held a modest wedding that prioritized fiscal responsibility over extravagance. In his video, O’Leary pointedly remarked, “What’s the number one mistake people make before they get married? They plan a huge wedding. What a waste of money.” He emphasises that couples should look beyond the glitz and glamour in favour of financial prudence.

O’Leary proposes that couples should initially opt for a simple civil ceremony, followed by a celebratory gathering with only their closest friends and family. “Be very selective on who you invite. They gotta be meaningful to you,” he advised. Rather than spending exorbitant amounts of money on a celebrated event, he encourages couples to redirect those funds into investments that can benefit their future, such as saving for a home deposit.

The Shark Tank star highlights the significant disparity between the costs associated with elaborate weddings and the much smaller expense of a simple ceremony. He urged couples to take the money saved and invest it wisely, therefore starting their marriage without the burden of financial strain. “Don’t start your marriage in a financial hole. That’s just stupid,” he reiterated in both his video and accompanying captions.

Moreover, O’Leary cautioned against booking extravagant honeymoon trips, opting instead for more budget-friendly getaways. He suggested couples should save those lavish holidays for a later time when they are financially stable. According to him, once a couple is situated comfortably in their new life together, then it might be feasible to indulge in a more extravagant vacation.

Reflecting on his own wedding day, O’Leary recounts a conversation with Linda about avoiding debt. He shared that they celebrated their nuptials with pizza and beer rather than an elaborate spread. “Why go in debt? Let’s invite our friends over, let’s buy a few cases of beer and I’ll order some pizza,” he recalled. This cost-effective approach allowed them to conserve funds that he then reinvested into his businesses, setting a precedent for their future financial stability.

In a conversation with CNBC’s Make It, O’Leary expressed that the savings from their modest wedding significantly contributed to his subsequent financial ventures. “We saved a fortune. I was able to put it in my business to start growing it,” he explained. This approach reinforces his belief that the financial decisions made at the beginning of a marriage can have long-lasting impacts.

Furthermore, O’Leary also took the opportunity to challenge certain societal expectations surrounding weddings, particularly regarding the pressure of extravagant dresses and lavish celebrations. “Forget about spending a fortune, you don’t need a white dress for $22,000,” he declared, underscoring the idea that meaningful celebrations do not necessarily require excessive expenditure.

As O’Leary continues to publicise his views, it is clear that his message of financial prudence can resonate with many couples. This pragmatic advice serves as a reminder that love and commitment do not have to come with a significant financial burden. Rather than being weighed down by the pressures of societal expectations, couples are encouraged to forge their own paths, placing their future aspirations at the forefront of their wedding planning.