There may be some class issues at play. I had a couple of classmates who were engaged, and were planning a wedding. Both (but one more so than the other) came from old money/power in that community. They viewed their kids' weddings as an opportunity to show off, and it wasn't about the bride and groom at all. Would not surprise me at all if that's what's going on here, even if race isn't a factor. (Although it most likely is.)