Looking For Some Kilt Guidance

[MacWage]

It gets down to WHAT EXACTLY you really want.

If, for the wedding, you want an 8 yard, knife pleat tank, contact Barb T., Kathy, or one of the other kiltmakers who specialize in that.
If you are interested in a durable, quality kilt that is handmade for you, I'd recommend Matt.
If you want a modern materials in traditional cut, Freedom Kilts.
If you want a disposable kilt, Sport Kilt.
If you want a step better, but still won't be too breaking if you trash it, Stillwater or USA Kilts casual (Rocky makes a variety and seems to be expanding further).

Each kilt maker/manufacturer with a following here has its own benefits and fills a place in a the "kilted world." The decision needs to be, "What am I really looking for and what benefits best fits my needs?"

From my take on the first post you want:
1. A nice looking kilt that would look appropraite in a wedding.
2. A kilt that has as old a look as possible, without being to hot for summer.

For the first, get a hand-sewn, PERIOD. You have the funds and get one you like, in the style, tartan/tweed/solid, size that best fits your desired parameters. From my personal dealings with people, I can recommend Barb and Matt. Others do an excellent job as well and I'd look in the kiltmaker section of this forum and read recommendations.

For the second, there are many, many options.
You have disposable to rather nice and all between. A modern kilt would work, but probably not the "look" your after.
You state that it is for reenactment/roleplay/renfaire/etc (specific context is not given). A belted plaid/great kilt will be the ideal, though hot in most of the US (but perfect in much of Canada, Scotland, and other cooler temprate areas). If you are after an "old" style kilt, the history is given in the links I provided in the page one post.
Celtic Craft/Kilt-n-things makes a philabeg-esque one:
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Kilts/phillabegs.html
That one looks close enough for most of the above contexts, even if it's accuacy is debatable.
I'd avoid the Braveheart based one, as it has NO historical precendant and looks NOTHING like a belted plaid (its closest visual similarity) should. It is just historically WRONG.
For a step more recent, but still older than a knife pleat, Matt's box pleats are GREAT and durable enough (but not disposable -unless your rich- nor machine washable).
It depends on your budget and your needs/desires.

For the given budget for 2 kilts, I'd, personally, get 3 box pleats, which would suit all the needs stated and give options for dress and having one to "test just how durable they really are." Actually, as I make my own kilts, I'd buy the 16 oz worsted tartan and make 5 or 6 box pleats, but that's just me.
Your tastes, opinions, needs are probably different and you may be perfectly happy with a Barb handsewn and one or 2 Stillwaters/USA Kilts or one of each. As I don't particularly like SportKilts, I wouldn't get one nor recommend them, YET, they have a following here and some buy them almost exclusively.
Take our recommendations as JUST THAT! Listen to them, learn more, decide what is important TO YOU, make an educated decision and buy what YOU WANT.

[walkerk]

Welcome to XMarks! Looks like you are already getting answers to your questions. Here's a link to a good reference: http://www.clan.com/kiltsandtartan/

You say you are attending a wedding. If it's not your wedding, have you considered renting a formal kilt? (Yes, I know this is heresy. ) If you are in an urban area you may find a kilt shop which will rent formal outfits much like one would rent a tuxedo. This would leave money for the kilts you want and avoid the "bridesmaid dress syndrome."

Since you say you have a lot of time, get your inexpensive kilt first. That way you will gain some familiarity with the kilt before making any major investment.

Also, don't miss the "Kilt Do's and Don'ts" thread - up to 90 pages now!

Keep us informed of your progress. We'll be expecting pictures.

[Panache]

...You say you are attending a wedding. If it's not your wedding, have you considered renting a formal kilt? (Yes, I know this is heresy. ) If you are in an urban area you may find a kilt shop which will rent formal outfits much like one would rent a tuxedo. This would leave money for the kilts you want and avoid the "bridesmaid dress syndrome."...

walkerk makes an excellent point here. If I may add to his suggestion, it isn't so much the kilt part of the outfit but the jacket, and, sporran. A kilt can be worn with a t-shirt (or no shirt if you are a fan of those old Lawson's Ads and have the abs for it) on to the most formal of attire.

If it is your wedding, or you are in the wedding likely a Prince Charlie jacket, matching waistcoat, and a fur dress sporran will be called for. This is the scottish version of a tuxedo. If you are the sort of fellow who attends fancy dress events on a fairly regular basis then going for the whole outfit makes sense. If you will never be getting this formal again it doesn't make sense for you to spend as much on these items as you did on your kilt and have them sit in your closet.

You can rent just the jacket, waistcoat, and sporran.

Alternately you can look at a black argyle style jacket and vest that can be dressed up or down and you are likely to get a lot more use from.

Cheers

Jamie