Being okay with eloping?

Honestly I think you shouldn't give it up. If you're going to be sad now you'll likely be sad later as well. You do not need a grandiose wedding, you can have a JP do a short ceremony in a park and just have a cake. It'd be cheap and have all the important parts celebrated. You could also wait until he's done with his education, I waited for my fiance to finish his education and it wasn't a problem.

I agree with the above - This is a good opportunity for a compromise. One thing I will say is that school will be an option forever - your wedding is one day, and likely the most important day of your lives so it should be celebrated as such if that's what you're wanting. Instead of having a bank breaking party you could just have a smaller wedding - play your own music, do your own flowers, find a cheap dress, and put the money into the parts that are most necessary for a wedding like the catering and venue. There are many many options for getting married these days on a budget.

Marriage is about compromise, and wedding planning is often the first step. And in this case, as in most, these compromises shouldn’t be an all or nothing deal. You don’t give up something you feel strongly about bc your partner changed their mind and doesn’t want it— you find somewhere to meet in the middle that makes you BOTH happy. It is important than NEITHER of you is unhappy going into this day. Some things may have to give, but neither of you should be in a position where you’re not getting anything on your wishlists. If you’re worried about regrets, I don’t expect that to ever get better.

Find somewhere to meet in the middle. My personal suggestion would be to make some lists. Must haves, nice to haves, not importants, dont wants. Make them and compare notes. Make them for yourself and evaluate what pieces are the very most important to you. Take these notes and try to figure out where you can apply them to make you BOTH happy. Maybe it’s a smaller wedding? A destination wedding? A small private ceremony and a very casual reception party later on with all the loved ones? A one shot deal with everyone but a cake and punch style reception that’s a bit shorter but saves money on not going all out on a big meal? There are SO many ways to have a magical wedding, big or small. Isolate all the very most important details to you, and work from there.

There's two things: have a very minimal wedding that you can afford like cake and punch for just your closest and dearest friends. Or save up for a wedding celebration later on. I am totally all for celebrating your union no matter how big or small or simple or extravagant - it's really nice to be able to gather with those you love to celebrate it.

Have a one year Anniversary reception for your families. That's what we are doing. Eloping in Hawaii and next year having a big reception for everyone to enjoy

Im not sure what state your in but I know in Louisiana quite a few venues offer an elopement package. It's between $800-$2000, depending on the venue but they come with everything, flowers, cake, champagne, and you can invite like 20 guests. Or you could do a DIY in a park or someone's backyard. I do agree with the above statements, if you're sad about it now, you might regret this choice forever. You definitely shouldn't completely throw the idea away. Try to figure out a second option!! Just explain your feelings to your FH, I'm sure he would understand!! Good luck!!