Destination wedding dream doomed? Groom's mom afraid to fly!

We decided to do a private ceremony (just us 2) in Jamaica and a small reception when we get back (about 2 weeks later). We are getting it filmed so we can show the video and pictures at our reception. Initially, telling both families was hard. My family still very much wanted to be there even though his mom wouldn't fly and his brothers said they didn't have enough money (even though we offered to help out). And his mom tried saying, "well which is more important...having us there or having it at this destination." But we didn't see it that way. We made our decision together that we still wanted to do a destination and just have it be us. We eventually got to a good place with both families by telling them that we love them and are not trying to exclude them, but that this is our journey, our decision, and this is what is right for us. We planned a small, casual BBQ reception to have a formal way to celebrate with both families. It will cost us <$1,500 for the reception. I am writing a letter to my mom and dad that they will open on the wedding day (hopefully around the time of the ceremony) and they are writing me one that I will open that morning. I'm excited for that, but hope I don't tear up too much! Whatever you do, make sure it is what both you and your fiancé want....this is your first step into making decisions together as a team. Best of luck!

My son and his fiancé are getting married in Puerto Rico. They both knew I don't fly. There are no cruises or ferrys that I can take to get there. I have called every cruise line. You are not allowed to get off of the ship and take another one back. There are no ferrys that can go 1260 miles! I am heart broken I won't get to see my son get married. My fear of flying is horrific!! I have severe anxiety disorder and being 36,000 feet in the air is something I can't just suck up and do. They made plans from the beginning knowing of my fear. They have told me that it's not like they planned it in Europe at a 5 star hotel. It is a 3 hour plane ride with a 3 hour car ride to get where they are going to be. His siblings are not able to go either due to Finacial costs which would be over 2,000 for them to go. I don't begrudge them having their wedding where they want, just disappointed that so many family members will miss out on a very important day. I have been made to feel like a terrible mother for not going, and it has caused a lot of hard feelings. A couple can choose to get married where they want but they need to look at the realistic big picture that when you have it far away with large travel expenses not everyone is going to be able to go. It does not mean they don't love and support them.

I love my mother to the moon and back, but if my dream wedding was in the Bahamas and she's afraid to fly and refused a cruise to the Bahamas, I'd tell her all about when we returned.

There are cruises that go to the Bahamas and Puerto Rico however when you get there you can only stay until 4 or 5:00 then you must get back on the ship as they travel to another port. It is against the law to not get back on the cruise ship and you can't get on another one at a later date. There is a 750.00 fine and you'll be banned from cruising in the future. There are also no ferrys that can travel the 1200 miles to the Bahamas or Puerto Rico. I think her information about her future mother in law refusing wasn't accurate. If there is a ferry that goes in a couple of hours when it takes a cruise ship 2 days I definitely want their name so I can go to my sons wedding!!

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https://gobahamasplus.com/bahamas-fast-ferry-grand-bahama-island/

As an update, my husband and I decided to get married in Jamaica just us 2. It was the perfect choice for us and wouldn’t change a thing if we had to do it all over. That was the right choice for us though, not for everyone. All family members ended up being fine with the decision and no hard feelings. We had a small party when we got back to show the photos and wedding video which everyone loved. We just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary a few weeks ago in Paris! Thanks everyone for your input!

View Quoted Comment Hi Sarah Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!!! Thank you for sending me the link. My son is getting married in January in Puerto Rico. Do you know if there is a ferry that goes from Florida to Puerto Rico. That would be a dream come true! Thank you and again Congratulations!!! ❤️