I am planning a destination wedding in NYC for May 2013. We live in Mississippi and I want the wedding to be somewhere that is really special and meaningful to us. I have had my heart set on NYC for over two years and I don't want to change our plans.
Unfortunately, my groom's parents cannot afford to attend our wedding. Even with a year's notice. They are in a tough spot financially and we are worried about increased stress/health concerns and don't want to put them in that situation. My future mother-in-law is retiring in May, in the same month she will celebrate a birthday and mother's day, and I have decided that I want to make a big guesture to celebrate the occasion and pay for both of his parents' airfare for the wedding.
Now the problem.....
There has always been a little bit of tension with his parents when it comes to money. It is pretty obvious that it bother's his mom when my family can buy us more expensive presents.. like it hurts her feelings or she is embrassed that she cannot do the same.
How do I present this gift in a way that it will be well recieved and not come off as offensive or embarassing?? It is very important to me that his parents attend our wedding but I am dead set on NYC. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.