Really torn between a Local and Destination Wedding - HELP!

@Alyssachu - thanks for your quick replies. You are making me feel much better about this. I think I might just go with a small local wedding, at a location I like and that is affordable to us. You are right, if people truly care about me they should understand. My only worry is that people who don't know my real financial situation (which is pretty much anyone except for my fiance) will think I am rude by not having a big wedding because THEY think I can afford it (I have a job that pays MUCH more than any of them earn, it's more than some of their HOUSEHOLD income together). Truth is though with my mortgage, 2 cars, and other expenses, I am actually in big credit card debt which is already making me lose sleep over it, and I just don't want to dig myself deeper into it. I don't want them thinking I am well off but am just being rude/cheap about it, but I also don't want to disclose my true financial situation as I think that's private and honestly not their business. I just don't want their perception of my life to skew how they feel about me not having a big wedding. But once again you are right - those who love me should be happy with whatever decision I make. Thanks again for all the advice

I don't feel guilty about our DW. Everyone we are inviting would have had to travel anyway, and honestly, their travel will be cheaper with the DW than it would have been otherwise. If we had done local, they would have flights, rental cars, and more expensive hotel rooms ($85-$100/night) plus a 3 hour drive from the airport to get here.

Our DW is at Disney World, and they can stay off site (decent hotels start around $40/night!) and rent a car, or stay on site (hotels start around $90/night with discount) and not need a rental car because there is free shuttle service everywhere and we are providing transportation to the wedding/reception/etc. Flights are also about half the cost going to Orlando than they are coming here.

Thanks again to all for your replies, I am overwhelmed by the number of responses I got so quickly on my post All great advice, and you all definitely made me feel better no matter which direction I go. I need to of course talk more about this with my fiance, but I am starting to feel less guilty about making the right choices for US rather than for others's sake. Again, thanks everyone!!

MNA - that is a wonderful idea!! And I ABSOLUTELY love Disney (so does my maid of honor, it was one of our bonding qualities when we first met ). I actually think I might copy off of you! It's still a destination wedding but it's much more affordable, and who wouldn't love going to Disney?? I need to look more into this, but I love the idea. THANK YOU!!!

The parents of the bride and groom are not really part of the bridal party but they are also not "just guests". There are plenty of ways to include the mothers. Usually they get to walk down the aisle usually accompanied by an usher or by themselves if there is no usher or older son or other family members. Also, moms usually get corsages as a way to make them stand out as someone special. You could do this so you can free up some friends to bring up the gifts. Just suggestions because it sounds like you really want to to honor the special people in your life. You're lucky that you have so many people in your life.