My bf and I aren't engaged yet, but we've had that conversation and are just waiting until we can be financially independent from our parents. Because I love weddings and like to be prepared, we've started discussing and looking at potential wedding options and costs.
The problem is that my bf is pro-elopement. I would be all for that, but it's very important to me that I have my family, including some key non-immediate family members there. I want my dad to give me away. I want to pick out my dress with my mom and sister.
I suggested we have a very small, intimate wedding, keeping the budget under $5,000. I'm very money-conscious and the idea of spending a ton of money on one day freaks me out.
However, my bf has a "go big or go home" mentality on it and thinks that if we have a wedding, it should be exactly what we want. That will cost $20000-$30000, though, the cost of the "average" American wedding.
I've agreed to this since I'm the one who wants a wedding in the first place, but I'm still iffy on the cost. Is it insane? Am I being unreasonable by not wanting to elope? We've been together almost 6 years and the expensive wedding plan would make it so we couldn't get married for at least 3 more years. So what do you think - should I elope or have the big white wedding? The vision we have is princess-worthy, but the cost makes me shudder.