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So, we’re getting married in Texas. Bossyboots and I live in Chicago. As I have said multiple times, we’re getting married down in the Lone Star state because that’s where my immediate family lives, and about a third of my siblings are too disabled to fly or ride in a car on a long road trip. This decision was really tough for us to make, but in the end, I didn’t see the point of a wedding where a large chunk of my siblings couldn’t attend. And Texas is awesome. We get to have a messy BBQ welcome dinner, bluegrass music, frosty Shiner, open sky, with Tim Riggins and Matt Saracin for my single friends to smooch. Texas men are highly lustable. And sweaty, apparently. And they really do all play football.
(SOURCE)
Texas forever, Hot Stuff.
The hink is that easily 80% of our guest list is based in Chicago. Out of the 162 people we have on our guest list, I am just praying that somewhere between 80-100 check that “yes” box on our RSVP. We’re doing everything we can to make the trip to Texas convenient, courteous, and affordable for our invitees, but… you just can’t get around the freaking crazy plane ticket ($250-$330). Yeouch.
Cue panic.
In my nightmares, we end up with 30 people at our dadgum spendy party; and I am full of dadgum sad regret. In wedding world, you are always hearing “At the end of the day, you’ll be married and that’s all that matters.” To those people I say… If I didn’t care about having my friends and family there, I’d be at the courthouse. Also, don’t squash my paranoia—I enjoy the attention.
All kidding aside, I really am worried about this. I take wedding invitations very seriously, and I always try to go, no matter where the party might be. I love fun, and weddings are fun, so I like to go. Not everyone is the same way though, and with the current economy, it’s just more difficult for people to be able to travel. Even though we are trying so hard to make things as easy as we can for people, we know that it’s still going to be an expense. Our hotel block rate is great, everything’s centrally located so people won’t have to rent a car (in Texas, this is an amazing feat)… we’ll just have to hope for the best.
Also, I am supposedly a Chicago Bears fan. This is a lie. When you grow up in Texas, you are genetically programmed to be a Cowboys fan—I mean, please, we name our kids Landry and build football stadiums designed so that God can keep an eye on the game. Bossyboots and I just don’t discuss it; it’s better for family harmony.
Yeah I feel terrible that most of Mr. FC’s Swiss and Brazilian family cannot come to the wedding, but he has ONE brother and I have 8 siblings so it was kind of a no brainer.
Add on a crazy crazy expensive plane tickets for the Brazilians and they also need to apply for tourist visas. It’s a big turn off. I’m starting to wonder if any of his friends and family will come aside from his parents/brother. Really sad. Let’s go eat ice cream together and commiserate Snappy. 
Sorry, I totally lost track of this post… You lost me when you posted tim riggins and matt saracin from Friday night lights….
deeeeeeee vineee…. My favourite show. I promise I will get back to reading the rest of the post. Once I have saved their pictures for my screen saver.
I kid, I kid… …. *cough*
Fingers crossed, Im pretty sure lots of people will make the effort! 
i’ve devoted a pretty good amount of time to just sitting out and wondering who i love more: tim riggins or matt saracen. i kind of have a crush on coach eric taylor too. it’s a problem.
…wait, what were we talking about? you had me at texas forever.
I feel you; most of my family/friends are in the Midwest, but my FI’s friends/family are all on the East Coast… we live in Chicago so we’re having it here. Either way we’d have had one half of the guest list flying in, so no good way around it!
While we’re still waiting on RSVPs, we have been really surprised by the number of people who have verbally told us they’re going to make the trip - people who we had kinda thought wouldn’t be able to fly out. I think people really do try to make the effort for you! 
*snicker* ok, I admit the guys are cute, but I’m just not into ‘em. (Neither has dark curly hair, so… yeah. 
lol What can I say? I love my scoundrels.)
….
On another note… It sucks when you have to fly and the tickets are horribly outrageous. (We won’t even go into the searches, x-rays, etc). Hopefully the friends and family that would have to fly can still make it.
@Mrs. Prairie Dog: How bout landry? He has his cute factor…
I know exactly how you feel! We are having our wedding in Maine, at my future in laws house on a lake. Unfortunately, they are the only family that lives in Maine, the rest of our 200 count guest list being from Maryland, Atlanta, and L.A. Not to mention the home in Maine is an hour out from the nearest airport and lodging isn’t…very luxurious.
I’m planning, planning, planning and FREAKING out that only a few people will show. That would be the worst…
That being said, what I’ve heard from our friends and family all sounds positive, as if a good chunk of our list will show up (praying for 100 over here).
I’m sure you’ve got nothing to worry about.
This has got to be so hard for you… I’d probably make the same decision to marry where my immediate family is, but at the end of the day you do want everyone you love to celebrate with you and Bossyboots. Hopefully you get a huge turnout!
You probably don’t want to have two dadgum expensive parties, but you could have a second small reception in Chi-town so the people who can’t travel to TX can party with you. Casual or formal, you can rock your dress again, and celebrate with giant cut-outs of those FNL hotties.
Good luck- I’m sure everything will work out!
I was also worried about people not wanting to travel to our wedding - most of my extended family is from the East Coast and nearly all of my friends moved to the east or west coast or Texas after graduating from college (and our wedding is in Kansas, where both my and my FI’s parents live). But so far my worrying has been for nothing - almost all of my family will be able to make it and, a pleasant surprise, every one of my good friends must think as highly of me as I do of them, because they’ve all RSVP’ed that they’ll be there! I definitely think letting everyone know 9 mo. out with save the dates was a factor in how many people have been able to plan to attend despite the long trip.
I know what an amazing person you are so I have no doubt that you have a lot of friends who are so excited for your marriage that they will make every effort to go…And if it comes down to it and you’re still short of guests, invite me!!
Oh how I can relate! I live in Chicago but am from Texas as well. We had the wedding up here even though all of my family still lives ‘deep in the heart,’ and I had all the same fears. We ended up with around 50% attendance though! I bet you’ll be pleasantly relieved to marry Bossy with your nearest and dearest surrounding you
I’m feeling the same way but I’m having my wedding in Texas (where we live) and family is coming from New Mexico and Michigan (hopefully).
Good luck with the positive RSVPs.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose! I’ve got my fingers crossed for you, but I think you will be surprised how many people make it, especially since you chose Texas to be sure your family can go to the wedding! Also - American Airlines has a wedding discount, and I know they’ve got direct flights between Dallas & Chicago…maybe that could help a little with the plane tickets?
It’ll work out, I’m sure! I also love that you used the word “hink.”
I feel you, Snapdragon. Try having a wedding on another CONTINENT. Makes things even trickier. Getting 30 people at my wedding would be a dream, it’s likely to be only about 20. We have to have the wedding there because Mr. Lasaire’s mom is in poor health and cannot travel. This may be the only chance both our parents have to meet in person, so we want to make the most of it.
The only advice I can offer is to remember, your wedding is not an imposition! Those who truly love you will understand your reasons for having the wedding where you chose, and will shell out the cash to come. Those who can’t, try and be understanding towards them - everyone has their own circumstances and they are probably very sad they cannot make the trip.
I spent alot of time crying about how few of my family were going to be able to come to my wedding. But, my reasons for having the wedding we are still ring true to me. I eventually was able to just let it go and find peace about it.
Everything will work out! Despite the economy putting many people in a tight spot, I think weddings are things folks are willing to travel for.
People will surprise you, you’ll think they won’t be able to make it and they will. We had the same concerns and yet had a great turnout.
Also, I just need to say i LOVED the last paragraph of your post. Its hilarious and oh so true.
I very much understand! We live in NJ, but I am from Michigan and my fiance is from Florida. About 70% of our guest is out of town. I have those same dreams where no shows up to our wedding! We are doing a welcome dinner and a brunch the following day to make it a bit more welcoming for people.
Thank you for sharing your fears!
Have you looked into a discount group flight with an airline that flies between Chicago and Texas?
@aimlesstraveler: Yep! Unfortunately, 5-10% off $300 is still a lot o’ dinero.
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Miss Snapdragon, Chicago/Dallas Age and Occupation: 32,Associate Producer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Lighting Designer Blogging Since: November 14, 2008 Engagement Date: January 1, 2011 Wedding Date: March 2012 Venue: Marie Gabrielle About Me: Voracious reader of short stories, Russian literature, National Geographic and Cosmo. I'm a GENIUS at spicing up Weight Watchers recipes and a pathological cheater at board games. I run a slow marathon, but my feet are learning to move faster. Mornings aren't my thing, but I can night owl with the best of them. Don't tempt me with your Cherry Cokes---I'm trying to quit. Tomorrow. Or never.
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