From someone who got married almost 2 years ago:
1. Great book: Bridal Bargains by Alan and Denise Fields. Tells a lot of the ins and outs about the bridal industry and how to save lots of money!
2. Have the wedding YOU TWO want, not the wedding mom and dad want
3. Do not depend on the parents to pay for it unless they SHOW YOU DA MONEY! Plan your wedding as if you two are going to pay for it yourselves. Better yet, pay for it yourselves.
4. If you are paying yourself, YOU are the top dog. My motto: Our wedding OUR WAY...you want, then dammit YOU PAY!
5. Bridal gowns run hella small so be prepared for that!
6. More book recommendations: "What no one tells the bride" by Marg Stark.
Also there is a book called "The Conscious Bride"
We had a destination wedding in Las Vegas and sure it was a semi elopement, but I would not have it any other way!
Oh yes, Vegas wedding does not always mean, Elvis or a drive thru cheesy wedding chapel!
Case in point (a story about our wedding was profiled):
http://www.getawayweddings.com/artic...ils.asp?ID=132
Pictures
http://community.webshots.com/user/cameroncrazy
(some of them have crappy scanning...I was just learning to use a scanner)
Threaded Mode