Wedding Planning Advice

Hello Ladies!!

I got engaged about a week ago (engagement story in separate post) and I'm trying to gather as much advice as possible before officially starting the wedding planning. We haven't set a date yet. Our house is currently a wreck. We had water damage a while back and the kitchen is not completely gutted. We want to get that fixed before starting another big project.

I'm working on the guest list and researching what kind of a budget we need to save up for a decent wedding. Any suggestions on how to minimize the head count and/or things that cut cost without cutting quality would be amazing!

My dad is the youngest of 13 and insists on inviting all of his siblings and their spouses. I have over 100 cousins on my dad's side alone. My mom was 1 of 6, so her side is not as big, but still a lot of people.

So far I've been given the following advice:

- The videographer is the best investment. The day of is going to be so hectic, you won't remember any of it. You'll want the video.

- Don't waste time on a videographer. You'll watch it once and forget all about it.

- It's YOUR day, don't try to make anyone else happy, even your dad.

- It a celebration for the whole family, it's as much for the parents as it is for you.

- Go to the courthouse and save the wedding money for the honeymoon. (or for the house)

- Skip the wedding and have babies already. (His mom didn't flat out say this, but her reaction to hearing we're engaged said it all. Someone wants grandbabies NOW. My friends and some family have flat out said this a million times.)

So any helpful advice would be nice! Lol