where should we get married ? <BR>Someone got a good idea! <BR>And why, cost, what we get for our money? <BR> <BR>Thank you !!! <BR> <BR>

The best and least expensive place to get married is by a Justice of the Peace right near where you live or if you are on the west coast in Los Vegas or Reno. Set aside the money you save for the eventual purchase of a home.

<BR>Steve, <BR>While Louis is right on the mark, I'm a little more romantic than him, I guess. Here's a suggestion. My wife and I decided to get married in the US Virgin Islands. We contacted the office that issues marriage licenses in Charlotte Amalia by phone and they gave us the numbers of a few ladies that set up weddings for a reasonable price. We wanted a fantastic outdoor site overlooking the Carribean, a preacher, a witness, and a photographer. It cost $300. So I would suggest you do the same thing. It was very easy. Stay at Point Pleasant Resort which has a gazebo perched out on a cliff with a magnificent view of the islands, a nice breeze, lots of flora, etc. Your wife will think you're about the most romantic guy in the world.

We broke the bank for our Royal Caribbean Cruise Honeymoon near 8 yrs ago and will never regret it! You don't have to be that extreme, but take Joel's advice, get romantic. It's not an expense, it's an investment. <BR> <BR>...from a wife who DOES think her guy is the most romantic in the world...

My fiance and I will be marrying on the island of St. Lucia on October 22, 1998. We want to be married on the beach and it will be nice and simple. Just him and I. Most Caribbean hotels offer a wedding package which can vary in price. Mine is $440 and includes legal fees, marriage license, witnesses, registrar, flowers for bride and groom, cake and champagne. Pictures and video (which is a must if you want to have your family and friends see your wedding) cost extra, but not a fortune. I've never been into the big extravagent weddings where people sink $15,000+ into a day that few remember details of. I'd rather take that money and make a downpayment on a house or something. If you are going to go by yourselves, the planning is very easy. We're staying in St. Lucia for 7 days and then we're flying over to Barbados (next closest island to St. Lucia) and staying there for 4 days. We felt that a week wasn't long enough for a wedding and a honeymoon. Oh, by the way, different islands have different residency periods for being on the island. St. Lucia requires two business days to file the paperwork. I looked into Aruba, but you can't be married there unless you've lived there at least a month. The restrictions vary. You need to check with each island specifically. Good luck with your planning. If you want any more information on our weddingmoon, email me directly.

Dear Steve: I agree with Louis. I got married at the Court House for less than $60 and spent all the money we had saved on a wonderful trip to Bermuda. It was well worth it and a lot less hassle!

My fiance and I are getting married in Negril, Jamaica. We had saved about $20,000 for our wedding, and when the time came to plunk it down, we couldn't. Not for ONE day! So we booked a fabulous trip, picked out a day to get married (we figured Monday was a good day!), then picked up the phone, called a real estate agent. We already bought our house with our wedding money!! It's so cool!!! Some people disapprove of the idea, but when I look around when I'm standing inside of my new house, no one can convince me it would have been better to spend the money on flowers and cake. <BR>