Ceremony in one state, reception in another?

Buckethiker

My fiance and I are from Michigan, but have lived in Oregon for just over two years.  We love how beautiful it is here and have found TONS of amazing locations for a wedding.  However, our entire families and most of our friends are back in Michigan and we're definitely feeling torn about where to have our wedding, especially since our families aren't rolling in cash.

We've thought of a few options and I'm hoping someone will have some advice on what makes the most sense.  Here are our ideas:

1) Everything in Michigan or everything in Oregon
2) Small ceremony (with closest family and friends) in Oregon and reception in Michigan.
3) Tiny ceremony (me, fiance, a witness, a photographer, and a Justice of the Peace) in Oregon and larger ceremony and reception in Michigan.
4) Wedding photos in Oregon, ceremony and reception in Michigan.

Have other people had this issue?  How did you decide and how is it working out?

SarahSmile23

1 or 4!

stabile007

Its funny I am in the same boat, the FI's family is in Washington State and mine is in NY Tri-state area since my father can't fly and she wants to have him at the wedding ceremony we have settled on a ceremony on the west coast (small though everyone will be invited I doubt many will actually come) with a small dinner afterwards and a reception later on the east coast with a picture slideshow at the reception for those who couldn't make it.  I'd rather have it all in one place but some of my close family members from this side of the country won't be able to come either.

Our original thought was to have two ceremonies one tiny and another one at the reception but I think that just made things more complicated.  Good luck!