My fiance and I are planning a destination wedding in Mexico. We want to do the "paperwork" ceremony at a courthouse in Virginia where we live, just the two of us, very low-key. No rings exchanged or anything. My parents want us to do the courthouse ceremony in Michigan (where both our families live), so immediate family members (like 25 people) can be in attendance at the "real wedding."
My question: How do I convince our parents that our spiritual ceremony in Mexico is supposed to be the "real" wedding? I don't want the courthouse part to feel real to anyone!