Effect of wedding to your finances

I’m 38 and am finally biting the bullet and getting registered with my gf of 7 years. I’ve built my finances since I was 18, and can finally afford to take an exit the financial rat race. Time in the market over timing the market.

Just out of curiosity we went to figure out costs for a wedding. Just so I wouldn’t be accused of being obstinate, as I don’t see the point. We were presented with proposals of about RM500,000 for a wedding of 500 people

My jaw has never dropped so low, so quickly.

How do people afford this obnoxious expense for a single night?

Like what is the point even?

Edit: wedding plan cancel! Food truck instead! thanks! I just needed comparisons, as I didn’t think it should be that absurdly expensive. Have a great day y’all.