On multiple occasions, the Rebbe expressed his displeasure at the unnecessary spending at chassunos, which took a toll on the families and took away from the pure and simple joy that once characterized Yiddishe simchos.

When Mrs. Esther Serebryanski was preparing to marry her husband, Reb Chaim, in 5719 (1959), they did not have much money to spend and therefore planned a small-scale wedding to be held on a Friday, the cheapest day to book the local hall. She shared her plans with the Rebbe.

“Very good,” the Rebbe said. “I wish others would do that too.”

The Rebbe added that all that is required for the meal is a minyan of men, and that the event could even be held in an apartment.

Similarly, before Rabbi Gershon Mendel and Bassie Garelik were married in 5718 (1958), the kallah’s mother, Mrs. Chaya Posner, shared with the Rebbe during yechidus that she was planning to make a small wedding in buffet style.

“Ah!” the Rebbe declared. “Maybe now we will break the custom of making large chassunos.”

(Here’s My Story, Issue 687; as heard from Rabbi Levi Garelik)