Hey bud,
This web page just popped up and your question just came up on my screen, I felt obligated to respond with an option to your situation. I understand you both will do what you want, but take this for what it's worth. I myself just got married last month, the kick was actually the same thing you and your wife to be are experiencing right now. I wanted my girlfriend to come live with me being that Support is a huge thing in the military (by the way, I'm in the military not her) and having someone to come home to is always something that will get me through any long day. Money, it was the issue in my case being that I make quite a bit, BUT supporting her with a roof over her head and giving her the opportunity to not to worry about housing or food because that is taken care of and all she has to do is worry about ME and progressing her education and future. Well, my Wife and I decided to get married being that financially we knew she would be taken care of. My issue much like yours was the whole, we only get married once. I don't know if your religious, but we are and we decided to have fun planning our bigger yet not so expensive church wedding. What we did was had a simple wedding with a judge in order for us to receive more financially, and the money we receive now will go towards our bigger but not so expensive wedding. My suggestion is to have a simple get away ceremony and than a romantic night alone that is only for you to. Something you can call your little secret. It is romantic and it is only between you two buddy. Than down the road, have a wedding that includes everyone else. But just a few helpful tips, the first is remember, the less expensive the bigger wedding is, the more money you will have for your honeymoon because so many people complain after their wedding that too much money was spent on making sure everyone else was happy but they didn't get to enjoy it, that's why you spend more on your honeymoon, you two will remember that more. The second tip is, even though you have a simple wedding the first time if that is what you do, take pictures or heir someone to do so for the both of you and have it be with a nice background, this way she can show it off to everyone later when she wants and she will always smile when she thinks about how simple but memorable and meaningful that day was (try to take as many possible if you know what I mean). The third and final tip that doesn't talk about a wedding is an important one and one that I would take time to think about, if she joins the military and she hasn't yet decided what she wants to do, push and I mean push for her to join a field where she is in a office or doing something technical or medical. Although I love and I am in the Army, I would recommend for anyone and I have already, for everyone if they can to join with the Air Force. They push harder than the Army does for their soldiers to further their schooling and we all know that would help their relationship financially. If she does choose the Army, let it be a field were she will be out of harms way and remember, it is best for her to take a short term (meaning 2 or 3 years) rather than a long one like 4yrs because you need to leave room for error (meaning if she doesn't like the military). Look, if you need help with anything else and if this did help a bit, I am glad but do let me know if you need anything. I hate to see soldiers loose out on something because people or recruiters did not or forgot to mention something. Being and Officer in the Army, I have plenty of connections if you need help or info with anything. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders just by reading what you asked, so keep looking forward and always give back to those who you can help (it will make you a better person both inside and out). Feel free to contact me through my email for a quicker response,
[email protected] Good Luck, the two of You.