By Jason Alderman

Should a dream wedding mean delaying a down payment on a home? That's a tradeoff many couples make these days.

The Knot, a wedding planning and publishing company, recently released its Real Weddings Study (http://www.xogroupinc.com/press-releases-home/2015-press-releases/2015-03-12-the-knot-2014-real-weddings-study.aspx) of average wedding costs for 2014, announcing a national average price tag of $31,213 (not including the honeymoon).

The average cost of a wedding is a good point of comparison against other major financial goals in a new marriage. Considering that the average price of a new home in America is now $200,000, that wedding estimate would cover the majority of a 20 percent down payment ($40,000). Despite getting married to my wife at family home 15 years ago, I still remember the sticker shock for all the wedding costs - a whopping $10,000 for the entire event from tux, dress, flowers, food and honeymoon.

Here are a few suggestions to plan a wedding that won't break the bank:

Marry off-season. The most popular wedding months are now June and October, with longtime leader June losing a bit of ground. The most popular day to get married is Saturday and nighttime is the most competitive time slot for receptions. Consider a January wedding when the post-holiday rush is over - cold weather wedding venues are generally empty and priced to move. Weekday weddings have the potential added bonus of guests drinking less on a work night and weekend brunch weddings can be served buffet-style with more reasonably priced menu choices.

Find alternative venues. Farms, barns, warehouses, art galleries and of course, family property can be cheaper venues for a wedding, but make sure such spaces are properly insured for alcohol, food or other party-related risks. Also, in many communities, party venues must be properly licensed and/or zoned to avoid fines or legal action.

DIY if possible. Couples with a flair for party planning, decorating and cooking might be able to slash costs planning and executing their own event with minimal dependence on hired or volunteer help. From flowers to photography, wedding cake to wedding planners, check for affordable options. If a venue allows couples to supply their own flowers and decorations, it is wise to comparison shop. Consider professional photographers or skilled amateurs who meet your tastes and budget.

Use a gift registry to pay for the wedding. Couples can set up online gift registries that allow guests to directly fund honeymoon trips or specific expenses associated with the wedding.

Plan a destination wedding. Resorts around the world and well-known domestic wedding/travel destinations like Las Vegas or Hawaii offer wedding packages that blend a ceremony and vacation getaway. Planning a winter wedding? Research options for a warmer climate or snowy destination at a ski resort.

Finally, be flexible. Some venues have cancellations and if a couple is willing to put themselves on a waiting list and move quickly if they get the call, savings might be possible.

Before the planning a wedding, it's wise to start with planning finances. A meeting with a qualified financial advisor might help put wedding costs in perspective with other major financial priorities.

Bottom line: Dream weddings don't have to put a couple's financial life on hold. Consider real financial priorities first and build a smart wedding budget from there.

Maj. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei served in National Guard for 38 years

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/23/2015)(readMedia)-- The Adjutant General of the Illinois, Maj. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei, sent the following statement to the Soldiers and Airmen of the Illinois National Guard on Friday, May 22:

22 May 2014

Retirement Message of Major General Daniel M. Krumrei, The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard:

I am announcing my retirement as Illinois Adjutant General, effective 8 June 2015, with my official retirement from the National Guard scheduled to be July 4, 2015. Retirement Dinner date TBD.

It is my honor to serve alongside America's latest greatest generation. I chose this life of service as one of the first in America's 'All Volunteer Army'. I am a proud traditional member of the National Guard.  Our Illinois National Guard is filled with amazing citizen Soldiers and citizen Airmen. Our Families are phenomenal. You often work and train countless hours for no pay (especially our traditional members), often serve above your pay grade, serve anywhere and everywhere at a moment's notice, with Families who sacrifice so very much to support us; so that together we help our neighbors, protect our state, and defend our nation. I am proud to be associated with you.

It has been my privilege to serve with all of you in Illinois for almost a quarter century, as well as with Guardsmen in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin over the past 38 years.  My time in the Guard provided amazing opportunities, education, and experiences - each a blessing in its own way. None of it would have been possible without the help and support from my wife, family, employers, enlisted, warrants, officers, state employees, contractors, and volunteers. It takes an army to make a General, and I thank God for each person in my life.

It has been my intent over the past few years to begin the transition of the Illinois National Guard from an expeditionary force focused on war overseas, returning to a  community based Guard, while losing none of our professional military expertise. I said from day one that we could do both our State missions and our Federal missions equally and exceptionally well.

I have every confidence that the Illinois National Guard, led by outstanding men and women, will continue to provide the leadership to keep us effectively on track. The new Adjutant General will have my complete support, and I must admit I will not mind the moniker, "graybeard".

As Commander of the Illinois National Guard, I emphasized teamwork, transparency, openness to new ideas, personal initiative, diversity as strength, mentoring, and a very real fight against the predators hiding in our formations to commit heinous acts of sexual harassment and assault. I wanted us to "think bigger" while understanding how much our civilian leadership and Active component demands of our Soldiers, Airmen, and Families while we are at drill, annual training, schools, and deployed.

Most of you don't know this, but there are only 34 pictures in my office - a picture of each Illinois Guardsman who lost her or his life in combat. Seeing them every day, reminds me of their sacrifices - and yours. I chose in this transition to focus on the Soldier and Airman on the ground, the challenges in front of us, and the Families behind us. As to my degree of success, well, you are the judge.

I am a proud traditional Guardsman at heart, so my last days as TAG will be the June drill, in ACU, with you. GEN George C. Marshall was right, (and I'm certain he meant men and women - I know I do) when he said, "The Soldier's heart, the Soldier's spirit, The Soldier's soul are everything. Unless the Soldier's soul sustains him, he cannot be relied upon, and will fail himself, and his commander, and his country, in the end."

I pray continued success for you all, as you help your neighbors, protect this state, and defend this nation.

Thank you, one-and-all.

SMITHFIELD, Va., May 22,2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods applauds the U.S. Senate and Senators Grassley and Ernst on voting to pass the Bipartisan Trade Priorities and Accountability Act, bipartisan legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). This important legislation will create opportunities to expand trade, increase U.S. pork exports and grow jobs in Iowa.

"TPA allows U.S. trade negotiators to get the best trade deal possible for our food producers," said Larry Pope, President and CEO of Smithfield Foods. "This is especially important as the U.S. negotiates the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The TPP alone would generate more than 10,000 U.S. jobs in the pork industry and 110,000 total U.S. jobs."

Trade is critical to the U.S. agriculture industry, and these deals have incredible potential to open the market to U.S. pork products in key countries, such as Japan, Mexico and Vietnam.

"Passing TPA will create extraordinary opportunity for our company, our employees, and for farmers and manufacturers throughout the state," Pope added. "We strongly  ncourage the House and the President to act swiftly to realize the tremendous potential of the TPP and TTIP."

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield(R), Eckrich(R), Farmland(R), Armour(R), Cook's(R), John Morrell(R), Gwaltney(R), Nathan's Famous(R), Kretschmar(R), Margherita(R), Curly's(R), Carando(R) and Healthy Ones(R). Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit  www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.