No one from my family and none of my friends are coming to our wedding. About to have a heart attack

That's just a chance you take when you decide to have a DW...

ETA: Elope and DW aren't the same thing.

Have you talked to a doctor about your anxiety

Is there a reason they're not coming?

How far is Vegas from where they are? What are their reasons for not coming?

This isn't an elopement. It's a destination wedding. There's a difference.

Natalie, I'm sorry that none of your friends and family can make it. Unfortunately, that's a chance you take with a DW. That's why we always advise that you check with your loved ones before planning a DW. His friends and family are yours now too, so enjoy and don't let it get it down. You'll celebrate with your loved ones when you get back. Throw one hell of a celebration of marriage party and show the video of your wedding for your friends and family.

I can't think of a single person for whom I would fly to a destination wedding in Las Vegas. That's a lot to ask of people for something that is probably pretty low key. It doesn't mean they don't care, but there are practical concerns to consider.

We chose to have our wedding near my parents, which means 1,000 miles away from our home and 1,900 miles from FH's entire family. We had a very good reason for doing so, but I wanted to make sure that those who are the closest to us (siblings, parents and SOs) were there, so I bit the bullet and paid for FH's siblings (and one BIL) to fly to WA for our wedding. If I hadn't done that, only one of our 5 collective siblings would have been able to attend, namely mine. That, to me, was not fair to FH or his family, as it wasn't an option to have the wedding elsewhere or my dad wouldn't have been able to be there.

Is it the expense of travel that is fueling the declines? Could you help your family out with airfare? If their attendance is that important, as it was for me, it would be money well spent if you can.

Did you ask your VIPs if they would be able to come before you booked everything?

I don't know if it's possible for you but I have seen people do live streaming weddings. So the family and friends who cannot go can still be a part of it and witness it without actually going. Maybe they cannot afford to go which is understandable but this way you would feel like your family and friends are still with you in a way.

Also, if you are feeling extremely anxious and nothing seems to be helping maybe talk to your doctor. Sometimes having someone to talk to about these things help!

We are getting married in FH's home state (3 hours away from his home town) and there is a huge risk that many of my family and friends will not be able to attend (2 hour plane ride or 15 hour drive away). I am trying to make it more cost effective by organizing group flight rates, airport transportation and home rentals. Maybe try to see if there is a way to make it easier for your family to get there?

@MrsWrs--Like most Americans, I get very limited time off per year. That alone pretty much rules out attending any destination weddings. Add to it that the location is in Vegas and I'm solidly out

I wouldn't attend a DW unless it was for an immediate family member, and even then, it's unlikely. I would be sad to miss it but I don't get enough time off and also have a lot of expenses right now (wedding, major house renos, school, etc.) I'm sure your family wishes they could be with you. If you paid their way, would they go?

I would have and HAVE attended DW but I knew pretty far in advance. My own wedding is a DW for most of our guests AND myself and my FH (we moved from Dallas to Sacramento last July, right after we got engaged, and our wedding will be in Long Beach which is a 6-7 hour drive away from us). We have friends and family that are coming from San Diego and Dallas, and even a few from other states. But everyone knew way in advance what the original plan was and if they couldn't make it, I totally understood. As a side note, I would totally have done a DW in Mexico or something else had I known all of the drama and stress is causes. My wedding is less than a month away and I wish I wasn't dealing with all of the stress I am now, but that's another story for another thread Keep in mind that you'll have people there that love you, even if they aren't blood related family.

I'm sorry about your situation. I suggest seeking counselling to help you manage everything. If they're not attending due financial reasons, that's difficult but understandable.

Im sorry that you are feeling stressed and anxious. Your FH loves you and you him. I wouldn't worry about who is or isn't there to share in your day. The wedding is one day out of many that will make up your marriage. Have a good time with friends and the family that is there. Marrying your best friend is what you will remember about the day. Try and relax and not stress so much.

Honestly? You'd have to be my best friend or one of my sisters for me to fly to Vegas. I'd have to use holiday time and I HATE Vegas. I love the water and all things aquatic so going to the desert is not my thing. I would be giving up ocean time! I guess that's the risk you take the you have a DW. I'm sure your wedding will still be lovely. Enjoy the people that did come to celebrate!

Coworker invited friends n family to join them on a cruise to get married in Hawaii. They were a bit bummed that no one was going to join but they have to think of finances of their guests...In the end they loved their private ceremony

Definitely get the anxiety under control...that'll help a lot.

Also, you kind of have to prepare yourself for these situations with a DW. Can you relocate the wedding closer?

I'm in the exact same boat. Most of my family isn't coming and even my friends are all wavering. My family is all on the east coast. We're having our wedding where we live near Seattle. All his family is coming since they are here or not far. It doesn't help we are having it on a Tuesday (our anniversary) hence my friends don't want to take off work or leave work early. It's gotten me so depressed like no one really cares about me or is happy for us. This is my 2nd marriage but his first.

I am having DW in Vegas, too. In our culture, we have to send out invites to all families not just the one we hang out with due to respect. We also know most of our families will not be able to come due to different reasons. We would be very happy with the one that can attend and celebrate with us.