A little over five years ago, when I excitedly announced to my parents that I was engaged, they very generously offered to throw me my dream wedding: the one at the Plaza Hotel in my hometown of New York that I'd imagined as a child. While I appreciated the offer, that wedding was no longer a fit for who I'd become.

As an adult, I find the idea of spending so much money on one day ridiculous. I think that money could go to much better use. The wedding I was picturing was fun and casual, with friends laughing and running around barefoot. I wanted to remember the intimacy of our wedding and what a blast it was.