Well, if it's going to be your only kilt for a while, choose the tartan that you think you would like to wear the most. Which tartan can you see yourself wearing over and over again? For where you're going to be wearing it (lodge, dinners, church, highland games, everyday, etc.), which will work the best?
Having said that - have you considered a four-yard box pleat, either self-made or made by M.A.C. Newsome? Half the yardage but everything you want from a kilt at a fraction of the cost of an eight-yard 'traditional.'