Home or abroad ????

I'm getting married abroad, i was worried about family and friends missing out, so we're having an after party for everyone and we're all wearing the outfits again. x

My brother got married in Italy, and had around 30 guests there (direct family and best friends). The photos are on my website (click the link in the signature). He then had a big party, exactly like a reception but without the formal meal and speeches (just buffet, band, both of them dressed the same as for the wedding) which was fantastic - all the family & friends came to the party.

It was a fantastic way to do things.

Don't get your guests spend to much for your wedding. i suggest you make your wedding ceremony nearby your place and have your honeymoon abroad. in this way you can save some money to spend and enjoy your honeymoon. also you can invite more important persons to the attend to your wedding.

I'm inviting my family and close friends, if they don't want to come or can't afford it then I've told them that's fine as we are having an after party. So I'm 2 weddings therefore they will still attend a wedding, just like only giving someone an evening invite!!! The wedding is my day, so if I want it on a beach then I will have one! Also, in what world do I save money by having my wedding local! I've looked into this, I'm saving about £10,000!

*and breathe!* Sorry, i don't like people telling me not to have MY wedding the way I want it just to keep guests happy.

I guess the question you have to ask yourself is are YOU bothered by a) how many people actually come to the wedding and b) will you get that much flack from family who can't attend that it just isn't worth it? I would think that many people might not want to come to a wedding that will cost a lot to get to, but then others will just combine it with a holiday.

We got married in Mauritius a few years back and knew that most people wouldn't be able to come. We had both sets of parents there and it was our day and it was very special. then on our return we had a party with full wedding outfits, a cake, speeches, favours, buffet, phtoograoher etc, so people coudl still feel involved.

The pressure was off for the reception and my big day was a relaxed affair without me worrying about keeping guests happy, I would highly recommend it. As an extra plus the whole thing cost <£9 including a £4,800 honeymoon and three wedding dresses (don't ask!!)

When I told family that we were getting married abroad it didnt go down brilliantly at first. Having said that we booked anyway and thought that if people came that would be great but if they didnt we understood. In the end we had 40 people come out to Greece with us. They told us that they had never been to such a great wedding and venue and that it was the lovliest thing they had done. It also meant that we had a huge family holiday getting people together who hadnt been before. It's unlikely we would ever all get together like that again so for us it was the best choice.

You have to go with what's right for you guys. If you're not totally happy going abroad then I dont think it would be the right choice for you. It was most definitely the best choice for me and I have no regrets at all.

I am in 2 minds now about what to do have said for years i want to get married in cyprus but now with the financial situation the ways it is in this country its not looking hopefully! so have been playing with the idea of having to whole thing at 1 venue, to help cut the cost, as we were going to have a party when we got home for those that couldnt come! other half not being helpful he wont give me an answer and keeps shrugging any ideas of, we have been engaged now 9 years and still actually havent set a date!!!

We got married in Cyprus in 2006 and were concerned over wheher the people we really wanted to be there would be able to come out. When we confirmed that our remaining grandparents (and parents) would be there, the decision was made.

We gave our guests a years notice and ended up with 53 people attending. Including a 93 year old great, great aunt, who hadn't missed a family wedding in 93 years so wasn't going to miss this one!

If people really want to be there they will be. It is your day, so make sure you are happy with what you do. Its not a day you should have regrets about.

We did have a reception/party when we got back, which was great and we were able to wear our outfits again. It also worked out so much cheaper than doing everything here.

We were really lucky as we had carte blanch on our wedding, neither of us have parents who demanded anything from OUR wedding. We got married in France because we own a propert there and it was SO much chaeaper than her in the UK (when the pound was worth something against the euro!!).

We had 45 guests, only close friends and family were invited and we simply had the best day. Our friends still say it was the best wedding they have been to and they want us to organise a re-union. Alot of our guests made it into a long weekend and it was lovely spending time with them the day after we were married.

It must be very difficult though if you have outside pressures and expectations on you as a couple. Ours was a clear cut decision and nobody gaves us any grief or stress about marrying abroad.

You can have the best of both worlds these days you can either have a small ceremony at home with some guests that wont be able to go abroad and then a ceremony abroad with the stunning weather for your pictures. Or the ceremony abroad and then a party at home.

We are having exactly the same problem at the moment. Abroad or here at home in preston. I know i want quite a country manor house feel to the wedding but at the same time i think it would be fantastic to get better weather and stunning pictures and have a small intimate wedding abroad.

I think the way we're going to approach it is firstly costs and secondly what is more important to us out of the whole wedding process, such as is it important that ALL our family witness the ceremony or is it important to us have something small and intimate?

I am just new to this website and am having the same problem as have just started to plan our wedding ...I totally agree with Mrs Sparks to be and pip and Mrs Vinewell as it is your day and especially if you are paying for it yourself. you need to do what you want

The problem I feel I am facing is that my parents and sister/brother in law wont be there (various reasons) although all of my in laws will be and a few close friends, but we will also be having a big celebration party when we get back...but is that enough for close family who didnt make it to the big reception??? Will I feel upset on the day and after that my family werent there??? will they feel like I'm shuttting them out/ding it on purpose when I have always known they wont come abroad??? Have just started planning and sick as a chip already!!!! I guess it hurts to hear your mum say she wont be there but you gotta do what you want to do when it boils down to it!!!