I'm engaged to a wonderful gal who has no interest in throwing a wedding. She keeps trying to convince me that it is a waste of money. I understand what she is saying, but it is hard to imagine my wedding day without my big family around. Should I just elope?

I don't see why you couldn't plan the wedding. Thousands of weddings get planned every year by brides with little or no help from the groom. I'd work it out with her ahead of time and make sure she's okay with some level of ceremony as long as you handle the details and agree not to make it some sort of crazy theme like the Superfriends Hall of Justice wedding.

Some parts of the wedding planning seemed silly in retrospect, but if the bride isn't into it, you'll get to blow them off and focus on what kind of car picks you up after the ceremony, rather than the color of flowers for the bridesmaids.

Which parts "seem silly in retrospect" - can you give us a heads up?