Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have spent decades together, raised a family and built successful careers in entertainment. Yet when it comes to weddings, the longtime couple’s advice is surprisingly simple: don’t spend a fortune on the ceremony.
During a recent discussion on Live with Kelly and Mark, the couple joked about opening their own wedding counseling service. Their central recommendation for couples considering an extravagant celebration would essentially be to avoid the expensive affair altogether.
For Ripa and Consuelos, their own unconventional wedding remains the perfect example of why a marriage does not need a lavish beginning.
Keep It Small
Ripa has encouraged couples to consider a micro-wedding or elopement instead of putting enormous sums into a single day.
Her argument is straightforward. Money that might disappear on elaborate flowers, designer clothing, catering and an oversized guest list could instead help a couple establish their life together.
Consuelos made a similar point, questioning the logic of spending heavily on a party when newlyweds may have more practical financial priorities ahead.
The couple’s philosophy is not that weddings should be boring. Instead, they believe the celebration can be separated from the formal ceremony.
Save For Home
One of Ripa’s strongest arguments is that couples should think beyond the wedding day.
Rather than spending a huge amount on decorations and other temporary details, she suggested putting the money toward something with longer-term value, such as a home.
The idea reflects a broader shift in how some couples approach weddings. For those facing high housing costs and other financial pressures, saving for a down payment or building household savings may feel more meaningful than hosting a massive reception.
Ripa and Consuelos presented the idea with their usual humor, but the underlying message was serious: marriage is the long-term investment, not the wedding itself.
Their $179 Wedding
The advice is particularly convincing because Ripa and Consuelos followed it themselves.
The couple famously eloped in Las Vegas in May 1996.
Their total wedding expense was reportedly only $179, including airfare.
That modest beginning is a striking contrast to the enormous budgets sometimes associated with celebrity weddings.
Instead of arranging an elaborate ceremony attended by hundreds of guests, the pair chose a quick and intimate Las Vegas wedding.
Three decades later, they can point to their own marriage as evidence that an inexpensive wedding does not prevent a relationship from becoming a lasting one.
The Clearance Dress
Ripa also took a practical approach to what she wore.
Rather than purchasing an expensive custom wedding gown, she bought her dress off the rack at a clearance price.
The dress has apparently proved considerably more useful than a typical wedding gown.
Ripa has joked that she still wears it as a beach cover-up, giving the inexpensive purchase a life well beyond her wedding day.
That detail perfectly captures her broader attitude toward wedding spending: choose something you can actually use rather than paying a premium simply because the item is connected to a wedding.
One Small Regret
There is, however, one thing Ripa wishes she had done differently.
She has joked that she regrets not getting flowers.
Her reasoning is wonderfully practical. Without a bouquet in her hands during the chapel photographs, she felt unsure about what to do with her hands.
So while Ripa has no apparent regret about avoiding a lavish wedding, she does believe a small bouquet might have improved the photographs.
It is perhaps the only luxury she wishes she had added.
Parties Still Matter
Ripa’s preference for small ceremonies does not mean she wants couples to skip the celebration altogether.
She has promoted the idea that the ceremony can be intimate while the party can be more relaxed and enjoyable.
Rather than spending heavily on formal wedding traditions, couples could put their energy into creating an entertaining gathering afterward.
She has also discussed simple decorative alternatives, including candles instead of expensive floral arrangements.
The result can still feel festive without requiring the enormous budget associated with a traditional wedding.
Why Cruises Came Up
Ripa even offered an unconventional option for couples looking for a destination experience without the traditional price tag.
She humorously suggested cruise-ship weddings as a way to combine travel, celebration and accommodation.
For some couples, the approach could turn the wedding into part of a vacation while simplifying the logistics involved in organizing a large standalone event.
It fits neatly with the couple’s overall philosophy: find an experience that provides enjoyment without creating unnecessary financial pressure.
Three Decades Together
Ripa and Consuelos have now been married for roughly three decades.
Their relationship began after they met while working on All My Children, where they played love interests.
Their real-life romance developed quickly, and Consuelos proposed shortly after a brief period when the pair had separated.
Their 1996 Las Vegas elopement was followed by a family life that eventually included three children: Michael, Lola and Joaquin.
Today, their marriage remains one of the more enduring relationships among celebrity couples.
A Different Kind of Wedding Goal
The couple’s message ultimately goes beyond wedding budgets.
Ripa and Consuelos are encouraging couples to consider what happens after the photographs, reception and honeymoon.
A wedding lasts a day. A marriage can last decades.
Their own $179 elopement did not stop them from building a family, careers and a long-lasting partnership. If anything, their experience has given them a useful perspective on the difference between celebrating a marriage and spending heavily to impress guests.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ wedding advice is simple: keep the ceremony small, avoid unnecessary expenses and put your money toward the life you’re building together.
Their own Las Vegas elopement cost just $179, Ripa’s clearance dress became a beach cover-up, and their only lighthearted regret was not carrying flowers for the photographs.
