Need some help!

loupee

Hi,
I'm new to this thread and my situation is a bit complicated. I'm kinda hoping that by writing it down and getting some feedback it might clear up some things for me. And sorry in advance for the long post.
Me and my BF have been together for nearly 2 years, living together for 18 months. He started his army training in August, is due to pass out in March and his battalion will be going to Afghanistan in October. Just after he started training I lost my job, then started as a part-time xmas temp in October and as of today I have a full-time fixed term contract until September. So for the first time in a while we both have full-time incomes, his pay will increase in March, as will mine after I complete a training course in March.
So we have been talking about getting married for a while, ideally we would want to be married before he has to go away on tour, however due to time and financial constraints we understand this may not be possible. We are paying off some debt but it is currently manageable, and are hoping to start saving as of next pay date.
Due to my difficult family situation my ideal wedding would be on a beach somewhere, with whoever wanted to come paying for themselves! However as my BF's dad and gran are disabled, travelling is extremely difficult for them. Also he insists theat I want a really special day. Most of his family are in Ireland, while mine are in Scotland where we live.
I want to be married to this man more than anything else in the world, just don't necessarily want the wedding. He has not yet proposed, he understands that I dont want to get engaged until we can set a date. Also I am quite fussy, in that I have my mums engagement ring, and want the diamonds put in a new ring!
I can't decide if we should go for it and push to get married this summer, or if we should wait til he comes back from tour when money and timings may be a bit easier.
Just wondering if anyone has any ideas, opinions or thoughts? Or even if anyone has been in a similar position themselves?
Sorry for rambling!

fly_dragon_fly

why dont you do a marriage in the uk and then a beach blessing in ireland or where ever you fancy?

and i would push it to the summer x

bigmomma051204

Would Gretna be out of the question? Apparently (have heard around here lol!) they do some good packages etc.... http://www.gretnaweddings.co.uk/packages.html

I just thought relatives from Ireland could travel across fairly easily and also any family from Scotland?? Plus the packages look quite reasonable?? And it looks lovely! Don't know how easily you will find somewhere at such short notice though!?

If it was me, i would struggle cos i would want more time to plan and get what i want and afford what i want BUT i would want to make it before he left. So i would probably go for the latter and have it before he went!