I'll preface this question with the following:
I truly believe that if you want a big wedding, you should pay for it yourself - and in a financially responsible manner.
I also completely agree that it is very poor taste, as bride and groom, to host any pre-wedding parties.
My question, for curiosity's sake, is this:
Why is it proper etiquette for a B & G to host their own wedding (a fairly prestigious party in their honor), but poor etiquette for them to host pre-wedding parties (other events that are held in their honor)?
Does it simply come down to a difference in the expectation of gifts (or lack there of, as the case may be with weddings)?
Was there ever a time in recent history where it was considered poor taste for the B & G to host their own wedding?
Strange as this may seem, I find wedding etiquette / tradition (and the origins there of) very interesting - hence my question.