Courthouse wedding? or wait?

Okay so my boyfriend is at USMC boot right now and we've been talking about getting married for a few months now. I absolutely love him with all my heart and I know he's the one I want to spend my life with. However, since he is in the military, it makes our situation pretty complex. I have always dreamed of having a big wedding and well right now money wise we both can't afford it. But in order for me to live with him on base once he is stationed we MUST be married. So I was wondering if anyone has done a courthouse wedding and then had a big wedding later on? or if you just waited until you could afford the big one. Let me know pros/cons for courthouse. :] thank you!