It’s the Destination

What constitutes a destination wedding? More and more, I wonder where I would get married. I live in New York City but grew up near Washington, D.C., where most of my extended family still lives. Without a doubt, they would make up the majority of my side of the guest list. Having them all attend would be among my top concerns.

A part of me feels it would be best to hold the wedding in the D.C. area, where my family could easily attend. But I wouldn’t feel that my wedding represented me in any way. I have not been back there in years and fully consider New York to be my home. I would feel as though I were holding a destination wedding, where I never intended to. But I would feel terrible asking such a large number of aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends to make the trek up to the Big Apple–especially given all the expenses involved (and is the marrying couple expected to foot those bills?).

Plus, as I continue to date in the City, it seems everyone I meet is from some other locale: the South, the West Coast, New England and even far-off countries. Given that my fiance and I live in New York but have families elsewhere, where would the compromise come? It seems like a compromise for both families to meet up in New York, where the marrying couple lives. But is this selfish? Doesn’t it inconvenience both sides of the family, while making it easier for only the bride and groom? Then again, who is it more important to please–the marrying couple or their families? What does a couple do in this situation? Any thoughts?

Carla Gonzalez-Hart

(photo credit: millzero)

April 7th, 2009 by admin | Posted in Locations | (0)