We waited to get married until after Charlie was born.......we had been together about 8 years before we even got engaged.

We dithered over whether to go the whole hog, or just to elope and have a very very simple affair, as, like you, we were more looking forward to being married than "a big day".

That said, we had been living interstate for a few years, so had missed a lot of family in that time. And I am one of 5 siblings and none of my brothers or sisters have had a family wedding, so I kind of wanted to do the big day for my Mum's sake if nothing else.

Plus, and call me vain, but I wanted to show Olivia and Charlie off to all my family from the UK!

So, to my surprise, we ended up having "the big day".........

It was still a simple affair, but it was "us", and it was a brilliant day. My consistant memory of it is my daughter Olivia taking her first steps up the aisle! I melted into tears!

Our marriage is strong regardless of the $$ we spent. We were both very aware that it takes an awful lot more than an expensive day to create a loving and lasting relationship.

But no regrets from me........we spent a lot, but we had made a lot of $$ previously through some property, so we had the money at our disposal, so we didn't have other financial areas to spend our $$ on, so we were very lucky in that respect.......

I have babbled. I can see it from both sides, I really can.............