I have lurked on this board a little. I need to 'talk' to people who might be able to relate to me and my situation.
I'm soon to be 42, my SO (not a FI yet) is 38. We will be engaged in the next couple of weeks. We have been together for 5 yrs and have lived together for 1 yr.
I'm torn between waiting to get married and planning a small wedding and just getting married with only a couple of his relatives and my parents and son at the ceremony and then no reception. If we do the second option (which SO likes the best), it will happen in the next couple of months.
I really would like to have a wedding, but the practical side of both of us is to use the money for something we need instead of a wedding that will be over in a day. We are both going to need new cars soon and my DS will be starting college in 2 yrs.
I'm afraid I might regret not having a small wedding. My parents are upset because I'm their only daughter and I've never been married before (neither has my SO). They've offered up some money to help us out, but I don't want to take their money. They will be retiring in the next year. It's not their responsibility to pay for their 42 yr old daughter's wedding! I also feel that since I'm older and established in my home and have a child, that we really shouldn't be having an event where people will be bringing gifts. If we don't have a wedding and reception, there won't be any reason to give gifts (which we are both all for!).
Can anyone relate to this? I know you can't answer for me, but will I regret this?