I loved being a bridesmaid at my friend's wedding and love attending them in general. So, whenever someone has one, I always become excited watching the guy and the gal recite their vows to one another.

I was never one to plan my wedding, envision how my dress and ring would look like or how I'd be proposed to, but at 26 and in a serious relationship, it's often on my mind. Some people may believe there is no specific age when it comes to getting married, but by 26--if you've met 'the one'--I believe it's definitely time to tie the knot.

I did want to have kids by 24, so I'm a bit passed the age I predicted. I met my now serious boyfriend at 24, but it was way too early for kids to cross my mind. Here's the thing though: my parents met at 19 and 23, had kids by 25 and 29, but their generation was different than the way we're growing up. They had pre-planned jobs and things way less.

Weddings now-a-days are a bit more expensive.

I was chatting with a DIY Wedding Mentor and she told me the average cost of a wedding is $30,000. I mean, think about how ridiculous that is! Even if I had the money, I still wouldn't desire to spend that much dough! You can budget a wedding for around $10,000. I know weddings are pricey, but when it all comes together, it's quite exciting to be part of someone's special day.

So, here are a few things I've learned through researching weddings:

* June, August, September, and October are the most popular, so I'd assume they're the most expensive months.
* A morning wedding is cheaper because alcohol is expensive.
* When couples budget a wedding, they're more likely to stay together than those who don't take time to really plan it.
* BBQ and Pizza are the cheapest foods to serve at a wedding reception.
* Small get-togethers are more cost-effective.
* Making your own wedding decorations is less likely to cost you an arm and a leg.