I've always imagined my wedding as the coming together of two families, almost like a family reunion for both myself and my husband-to-be. Where parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends alike all show up to celebrate with us and have a great time. Sadly...things are not working out quite like I had planned.
You see, I currently live near Houston, Texas with my fiancee and his family, so I've been planning to have my wedding here. Most of my fiancee's extended family also resides in Texas, and those who don't have already given their word that they will come to our wedding. However...I was raised in Southern California, and most of my family and friends reside there or in Arizona or Nevada. While my parents and siblings have all unanimously agreed to be at my wedding, I can't help feeling disappointed...
I just really wanted all of my family to be there. Obviously, my immediate family is most important, but...I'm worried that it just won't feel like my wedding if most of the faces I see throughout the night are those I don't recognize. While I'm happy to have the opportunity to meet my fiancee's aunts, uncles, and whatever else, and introduce myself to them officially as his wife, I also want so badly for my fiancee to know my cousins, family friends and the like.
I considered the possibility of having two weddings; one "real" wedding in Texas, and another "for show" one in California. But several problems arise with that idea, such as paying for twice the amount of vendors, and the fact that my fiancee is highly Christian and takes marriage quite seriously, and I don't think he'd be too keen on a "fake" wedding.
I'm sure I can't be the only bride-to-be with their family's distance becoming an issue. Please, if you have any suggestions to make my day perfect, let me know.
- Kayla