CM, firstly let me say congratulations on getting engaged and planning your wedding. I too am in the same situation at the moment. I have one word for you, ELOPE!! Have you looked into Bali or maybe even Fiji, as you are an Eastern States girl right? Your wedding day is about YOU & DF, no one else. Dont let people sway you and your ideas. Planning a wedding shouldnt be stressful. You can either just take off, the 3 of you, or you can invite close family & friends. For those very reasons, DF and I are planning a Bali wedding for early next year. Its relatively cheap (we wont spend no more than $5/6000 flights & accomodation included) & it includes a honeymoon to a fantastic place. And you know, these people that have expensive weddings probably have a massive debt or their parents cover it. Planning your wedding day should be fun and exciting, but at the moment it sounds like its getting you down. Anyway you can facebook me for ideas if you like, maybe we can plan together hehe.