Uh oh....

[JenFL]

My parents breathed a sigh of relief and pretty much started recommending places right off the bat (they are travelers and knew it was cheaper to do it this way). We have a small family and doubt anyone would come anyways so that part was easy.

 

FI has a large Italian family and everyone lives up north (we are in FL) so it was hard to explain what we were planning and why but they took it well. Of course his parents are planning a large formal reception for afterwards but if thats what they want to do thats fine. We are inviting everyone and whoever wants to come to Mexico is fine by us.

 

I also didn't want to deal with an at home wedding - too many people too much planning. I've seen the headaches and stress involved. No thanks!

[sunkisseddreams]

I've always said I'd be married on the beach and my parents have always supported that... actually they love the beach as much as I do so they were very excited. My FI lived in Maui for 2 years so his parents pretty much expected a beach wedding as well! We have been very fortunate to have supportive friends and family and haven't heard any complaints (althoughthat doesn't mean they didn't to each other!) That being said a lot of people who said for sure they would be there (ie maid of honor.... but that's a another story!) have bailed. All in all we are excited about the people that are coming to our wedding and know we are going to have a great time!

 

I think the important thing to remember is that there is only 1 person you absolutely need to be there... your fiance. Everyone else is icing on the (wedding) cake!! 

 

[Avens]

We have been dropping hints for years - that we didn't want a big wedding and would probably go somewhere. They were thrilled! my mom and his parents don't really travel, so they are really excited to go. 

[merrylee]

My FSIL got married at DW at the Beach Palace last October, FI proposed in December and ever since Cancun we'd been talking about having a DW of our own.  I honestly probably would have never thought of it until I experienced it.  The cost is a consideration but I really want to spend time with the people at my wedding.  I don't want to see them for 5 minutes and then be rushed around saying hi to the other 100 people for 5 minutes.  I want my wedding to celebrate the love FI and I have for each other with the people whom we love most in the world. 

 

I was nervous because I have 7 people total in my family, my dad and my brothers family.  I know that my brothers fam 4 kids + wife probably wouldn't be able to go and that makes me sad and I shed some tears about it but there are people whom I thought wouldn't go FI's Aunts and Uncles and that means so much.  

 

However, FI's dad and his fiance aren't going because it's not really their type of vacation.  Because really it's all about them.

 

I am so glad that your FI's parents were happy for you, that is so important.  I also agree expectations suck, I expected FI's dad to not go, but it still really hurt to hear him say it.  You will have an amazing time, there really is no experience like a DW.  Enjoy every minute

[weddingaway]

We always traveled to Mexico or Jamaica every year, so nobody was surprised that we wanted a DW when we just got engaged!  We are the first in either of our families and friends to have a DW, but everyone seems really excited since the first moment...well, everyone except my brother who is a missionary and has almost no extra spending money, but when he found out that we had planned to pay his way he was more than thrilled. 

 

We decided that if we really wanted certain people to attend then we either needed to offer to pay or accept that they may not be able to afford it, but many more people can afford it than we had planned so it has worked out well!

 

As a consolation, we also told everyone that since we are asking them to pay so much in order to attend our wedding, that we don't want gifts...although, to our surprise, many people really want to buy us gifts anyway.  And since we are the first ones to have a DW, nobody really knows about the cool OOT bags that we are giving them and all the other fun DW stuff (wedding program fans, welcome booklets, etc.) so hopefully they will feel like we tried to make it up to them when they arrive.

 

Now I just have to deal with estranged friends and family coming out of the woodwork to ask for an invite when I literally haven't seen or spoke to them in over 5 years!!!  Insanity!

[xtenna]

I had a similar situation as  cookiemunchkin.  Our relatives that can't come don't seem to be upset about it. We are not having a DW to punish anyone, its just what we want

[spaterson]

Just a thought but I just got back from a DW and the bride had arranged frot he resort to stream the ceremony online!!! Then family from all over the world who couldn't be there felt like part of it!

[anichols8]

My mom was hesitant at first but says she will be there no matter what.  My FI's parents are not coming.  I had to come to terms and accept the fact that we can only count on he and I and as long as he is there that's all that matters to me.

[meBonidie2be]

 

 

Originally Posted by spaterson 

 

Just a thought but I just got back from a DW and the bride had arranged frot he resort to stream the ceremony online!!! Then family from all over the world who couldn't be there felt like part of it!

 

 

What an awesome idea!

 

[anna524]

we just told them while talking about the wedding and they took it really well. for those who couldnt come we told them we would love to have them at the at home reception