Her Family Won't Be to the Wedding

[tnv 0]

So, it looks like this is a fairly common occurrence. Due to financial situations, my fiancée's family will not be able to attend the wedding. This is very hard on her, and also not very exciting for me. While all my family will be here, I just feel that it won't be the same, especially on the actual wedding day, when not a single person from her family will be present. Kinda adds a bitter tinge to what should be the most beautiful day of our lives... But we really don't have a choice on this one.

So my question to all of you is: what can we do to help her family feel as close and as involved as possible during this time? E.g. when she went dress shopping with my mother, she recorded some video of it and emailed it to her mother to help bridge the distance.

I know this is really hard on her and on her family. Do you guys have any other ideas of things we can do to minimize unpleasantries? For example, I'm not so hot about an elaborate wedding, as it might further attention to the fact that her family isn't there... TIA

[Caladan 19]

Even though the distance for us I'm sure is shorter, we had the same problem. It was far too expensive for all of his aunts and uncles and everyone to come. Plus, with the passport issue between U.S. and Canada, four days before the wedding his mother didn't yet have her passport!

We had a fairly elaborate wedding, but we've said from day one that we'll have a second reception in Canada for all those who couldn't make it. We were able to have his mother, father, and two cousins make the trip, and one of my uncles took video of the ceremony and reception. Our photographer was kind enough to let one of the cousins stand behind him and take pictures with his own camera of all of the posed shots, so we sent his family video, a set of nice photographs, and some favors and programs from the wedding.

[nane1104 146]

I didn't want to be in the situation of not having any of my family at our wedding. We decided to have a ceremony in Germany with my family before I came to the US (my fiance came toGermany to "pick me up" and we had a nice reception,...two days before I left.

The official wedding here in the US was attended by his family. Still not the ideal, but at least both our families were involved at some point.

I think sending tapes and pictures from the preparations is a nice idea, specially from the dress shopping. That was something that my mom and I really enjoyed doing together and sending her mom a tape is really sweet of you guys. Maybe ask her family to prepare something that thaty can send over for your wedding reception, maybe some pictures from her as a child, growing up, the place where she lived,pictures from her family...for your family to see.

I am not familiar with the wedding traditions in your fiancees homecountry, but I am sure there are certain things they always do and maybe it is possible for them to prepare things and like that, be a part of your wedding!?

Ummh...not sure about this, but how about a live-webcam?

[L_n_O 3]

Spend a little dough and get a good videographer...

then make copies for all back home.. (1 per family =) and send 'em asap.

and make sure to record a little message to the family back home....

you two should make it very lovey.. it'll help

Edited July 31, 2007 by liz_legend 'n Ol

[KaiserD 12]

I spent some money of the budget on my mum's plane ticket, because I couldn't not have her there. My in-laws let her stay with us, though it was a tight squeeze!

Our budget wasn't big either, I saved up as much as I could just over 2 years in a crummy part time retail job though I was lucky enough to be living with mum so I didn't have as much to pay out as I would living alone. We also had to pay more for ticket because she has a long term illness that we didn't know if she could go or not until the last moment, and extra for travel insurance that covered pre-existing conditions.

People kept asking where the rest of my family was though The only advice I have is to try and enjoy your day anyway, you've waited long enough after all!!

Sorry if it's not the kind of feedback you were hoping for

[perfect 39]

none of my family could attend our wedding either. However, we were able to arrange for them to join by telephone link. Is there any way you could link them in by webcam or telephone so at least you can feel that they are there "in spirit" and so they can hear and/or see you exchange your vows etc.

[JanaknJanet 1]

Have you thought of a Livewebcast of the wedding.?

I have looked at many different options and this one seems to be most reasonable... check it out...

http://www.idostream.com/services.html

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Ditto here.

Pras' mum wanted to attend the wedding, but couldn't get a visitor visa appointment in time to travel here for it.