Destination Weddings

So today my fiancé and I have finally sat down to really figure out what we're going to do four our wedding. Anyway...we're Irish and Italian Catholics, which means that if we don't invite EVERYONE in the family, including our dead great-grandparents' siblings, etc. then we'll be voted off the family island. Our family also happens to live in a part of the country where wedding venues aren't at all moderately priced for amount of people we would need.

The short of the story is I don't think we could do the wedding for under the cost of the cost of my graduate eduction. So we're seriously thinking about a destination wedding either in Italy or in the islands to keep the wedding personal and economical.

So my question...
1. Have any of you guys done a destination wedding?
2. Where did you do it?
3. Do you regret not having a big family party?
4. For those of you who have shelled out your future inheritance and your downpayment on a house...was your wedding worth it?

Thanks for your help everyone!

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by ErinKathleenNJ

So my question...
1. Have any of you guys done a destination wedding?
2. Where did you do it?
3. Do you regret not having a big family party?
4. For those of you who have shelled out your future inheritance and your downpayment on a house...was your wedding worth it?

1. We had a religious ceremony for our family after we eloped. You can search my username to find the details.

2. Sedona, Arizona

3. I really wanted my grandmother to attend, but I decided not to because it was July in Arizona and it would be too hot for her. Moreover, she would have to fly into Phoenix from Orlando, FL, then drive up 2 hours to Sedona... Only my husband's immediate family attended. I had just met his mother the day before our ceremony. And she's such a Southern Belle.

Do I regret it? No. Because it's about your husband and yourself, anyways...

4. Worth every lost penny...

The biggest thing if you know your family will be pissed off, then you all need to align your finances together for upto 2-3 years. By that time some of your family will get over it.

I highly suggest reviewing some of the "Marriage Enrichment" information either secular versions or religious versions. I think there is a very good Catholic Couples Counseling called Retrounaville [sp?]. Google it.

You all will have to work on your "soul togetherness" or you will start to fight when family pries into your relationship. But you will need your folks. It is hard to let your "baby" go when one doesn't know what will happen.

[Jill1228]

1. Have any of you guys done a destination wedding?
YUP
2. Where did you do it?
Las Vegas Baby!
3. Do you regret not having a big family party?
HELL NO

4. For those of you who have shelled out your future inheritance and your downpayment on a house...was your wedding worth it?

I don't regret a minute of it! We got married at the Excalibur and our portraits were done at the Bellagio

[jon1856]

If you are looking at doing a destination wedding, check out this travel agent.
http://roadslesstaken.com/
The CEO is Beau and he has done some great trips for us.

[AOII_LB93]

1. Yes
2. Ireland
3. No, about 21 people including us were there...so basically all the people we wanted to be there were there. There were disappointed family members, but hopefully they've gotten over it. His family alone would have been about 80 guests...so it would have been way ridiculous.

Ultimately, you need to do what you feel comfortable doing. Family might be upset, but it's about you and your future husband doing what makes you feel good. Yeah, you should consider your family, but unless they plan on footing the bill(and even that can be a pain in the butt) do what makes you two happy. I would do it all over again the same...I loved every minute of it.

[xo_kathy]

Didn't have one but know quite a few people who have. They all say they are so glad they did and do not regret it at all.

If you want to keep it small, I'd head for Italy or France or something. If you do the Caribbean, lots more people will find it "easy" to get there.

[risingstar]

Originally Posted by ErinKathleenNJ

So today my fiancé and I have finally sat down to really figure out what we're going to do four our wedding. Anyway...we're Irish and Italian Catholics, which means that if we don't invite EVERYONE in the family, including our dead great-grandparents' siblings, etc. then we'll be voted off the family island. Our family also happens to live in a part of the country where wedding venues aren't at all moderately priced for amount of people we would need.

The short of the story is I don't think we could do the wedding for under the cost of the cost of my graduate eduction. So we're seriously thinking about a destination wedding either in Italy or in the islands to keep the wedding personal and economical.

So my question...
1. Have any of you guys done a destination wedding?
2. Where did you do it?
3. Do you regret not having a big family party?
4. For those of you who have shelled out your future inheritance and your downpayment on a house...was your wedding worth it?

Thanks for your help everyone!

1. Have any of you guys done a destination wedding? I DID. THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE
2. Where did you do it? NEGRIL, JAMAICA FOR 5 DAYS
3. Do you regret not having a big family party? MY IN-LAWS DECIDED TO THROW US A BIG RECEPTION A MONTH LATER.
4. For those of you who have shelled out your future inheritance and your downpayment on a house...was your wedding worth it? THANK GOD I DIDN'T DO THAT!