Personally I think you look gorgeous as a brunette. Maybe I'm biased being a brunette myself, but I think it really makes your eyes pop.
I just went back to a darker color than my natural and am going to keep it that way for the wedding. The lighter brown I had washed me out.
I do know what you mean about highlights! Even having my hair professional dyed, it is still a fraction of the cost for an all over color compared to when I used to have highlights.
Good luck with your decision! Either way you're going to look beautiful.