When to have a Small Courhouse Wedding vs. Traditional Wedding

Dear Brides and Grooms to Be,

This topic came up recently when I was asked to price out bouquets for a bride, for her bridesmaids that would look good in pictures but be so inexpensive that a bridesmaid would pay for her own flowers.

I'm thinking wow does this Bride really understand what she is doing to her friends?  She is taking away the "thanks for being my bridesmaid" and adding it to the burden of being a bridesmaid.

Which traditionally is the following:

Dress
Shoes
Undergarments
Hair
Nails
Travel
Accommodations
Food
Present for the Bride and Groom
Shower/Bachelorette Present

These items are running bridesmaids an average of $600 per wedding.

So I'm thinking this person should really rethink having a traditional wedding and opt for a less expensive alternative like a wedding at the court house.  After all when everything is said and done your still married and you have not gotten yourself in debt and chances are you still have your friends.