how do people pay for weddings

How do people pay for weddings without their parents financial help. Our families are divided. One set of parents has plenty of money to give and the other set has nothing to give. Our parents have never met. And each have made very negative comments about the other. Its gotten to the point where he and I aren't sure if we really want a wedding. Why spend xxx amount of money on one day. When you could have it for the deposit on your future home and cost of living.