Even if you aren't "financing" it, you're "borrowing" from your future self. That's $X,000 that you've tied up in something that doesn't actually have the valu

Even if you aren't "financing" it, you're "borrowing" from your future self. That's $X,000 that you've tied up in something that doesn't actually have the value you paid for it, and even if you did want to sell it, it likely has sentimental value, making it an illiquid asset. Like the site points out, most people getting married are not in a position to afford that kind of expense. But they do, and they try to make it work, because that's what's "expected".