My FH and I are planning a destination wedding in Cancun for April 2021 and I picked an all-inclusive resort based on service reviews, atmosphere, and the wedding package they provide. Our driver for having a DW was to save money since we are paying for the wedding ourselves. We are each inviting about 5 of our closest friends and their partners, making a total guest list of about 20 people. The resort requires that 90% of our guests stay there, and now that I'm working on the details for Save the Dates (though most have been verbally informed when and where we're planning), I'm worried that some people are going to think the resort is too expensive.
We would love for everyone to be at the same resort not only due to the contract requirement, but also to enjoy and celebrate with our closest friends over the course of a few days. Another reason for keeping it small is that I don't feel a big wedding with all of the parties or events leading up to it is for me, and I've already been through that process with most of the friends I'm inviting.
I'm not having any bridal showers, I'm not having a bachelorette party, and I'm not having my girls stand up as bridesmaids, so the only cost to them and their partners is this trip next April. I've been on the other side of this and spent $1300 to $1800 in total for each of my friends' weddings and events leading up, so I'm hoping they will see this as equal to what I've done for them. However, when I look at the price/night of the resort (about $450/night), I worry that they won't want to spend that much. I'm not going to be a bridezilla and say everyone has to come. These are obviously the people we want there the most, but we're going to get married and have our honeymoon there with or without them.
Am I just overthinking and the friends who want to be there will spend that much? Is there a way I can frame it on our website that we need them to stay at this resort instead of any nearby ones?
I'd love any feedback or advice anyone could offer!