Come And Watch Me Get Married: My Problem With Destination Weddings

(From www.destinationweddingmag.com)

 With gay marriage becoming legal state by state, more and more gay weddings are happening in this nation than ever before. This leaves many gay couples wondering what kind of wedding they should have. "Should I throw a lavish gay wedding?" many ask. Others may wonder, "How can I have a small and simple ceremony that still shows my love to the world?". Well, when it comes down to it, each couple decides what kind of wedding they want to have, and their friends and family come together to watch them tie the knot. It's all nice and lovely, but sometimes I find couples can take this to extremes. Especially when they throw lavish destination weddings that cause their guests to pay thousands of dollars just to see them tie the knot.
   I'm not condemning all destination weddings. Many are lovely, and it's nice that they treat their guests to a bit of rest and relaxation while celebrating their love. Also, with many states not having gay marriage it may be necessary for GLBT couples to travel to legally tie the knot. My trouble comes when soon to be spouses know that their guests don't have the budget to fly from South Dakota to Hawaii for two days just to watch them tie the knot, but they expect them to come anyway. When these guests don't show up, the couple acts offended, and may even distance themselves from the people who did not attend. These people would have otherwise been more than happy to share in the couple's love, but the cost made it impossible for them to come. This exclusion needs to stop.
  Whatever happened to the good old days when couples would just have a few friends and family members come to the courthouse or a local park to watch them get married? It's as if television has turned every person into a "Bridezilla" or "Groomzilla", who thinks that their big day is all about them. In reality, marriage is about loving the person your with and sharing this love with the world. It's not about a trip for you and your significant other that may make your guests suffer for months to come up with the cash to join you. That's what your honeymoon is for! So, if you are planning a big destination wedding, take into account that not everyone has the luxury to travel to England, Hawaii, or Paris. Be considerate and understanding of their needs. If a lot of your guests cannot afford to join you, reconsider. After all, a wedding at home with the people you love will always be better than a destination wedding without your loved ones. I guarantee it.