Weddingbee boards

Hello Everyone,

I was going to do a destination wedding with family only, but I decided that I really want to have friends on my big day, so we are having a wedding/ceremony at home. There will be approx 40 people - close friends and family. Most guests are in their early to mid thirties. I have two options, which both cost around the same:

1) Sunday morning (11 am-ish) wedding on the beach in front of a historic and beautiful hotel, followed by a very classy brunch in a ballroom, with mimosas, bloody marys, four hour wine and beer bar, etc. Due to the  nature of the day of the week and time of day, we would have more cheek-to-cheek dancing (it's mostly couples, so that's ok). We would say our goodbye's by four and do our own romantic thing as a couple later in the evening.

This would be a treat for everyone becase it's the kind of place everyone walks by and "oohs" and "ahhhs" at but no one has ever stayed there or had dinner there. And everyone in this area dreams of this place as a wedding venue.

Possible setback - it might feel "stuffy" if people aren't socializing.

Another setback - people might say it was very nice, but not necessarily "fun"

2) Luau on the beach. Ever since I was in high school, I envisioned a beach wedding and a pig roast reception on the beach. Obviously my tastes are more refined, but who wouldn't enjoy a tent set up on the beach, dancing in the sand, etc.? This option includes the beach ceremony, a tent or pavillion set up right on the beach, a dj, leis, a pig roast, even a luau show if we want. They do not have a liquor license, but we can buy our own and they'll mix the drinks. (probably cheaper that way anyway). This would obviously be more of a late afternoon/evening celebration. 

 Setbacks: 1) It's another 45 minutes south of location 1, which means people either have to sober up or get a hotel.

2) It would be fun, but not necessarily classy - I can try my best with chair covers and centerpieces and linen, but that's about it. It's a pig luau. Enough said.

A little about me - I will be 30, and as mentioned, so are many of the guests there. I'm certainly not shy, but I feel uncomfortable being the center of attention at times. I like to dance to with friends, but I need alcohol beforehand, lol. I like it a lot, but it's not the most important thing in the world.

Also, many of my friends are teachers. We don't often get the chance to attend nice hotels OR a beach luau.

See how hard this is??

Thanks for any advice?

I agree, if you have shuttle buses, then you eliminate that issue. Have pre set times and people can make the decision to be ready when the shuttle is leaving or get a hotel room.

The luau sounds like an absolutely fantastic time. Also, if you don't like being the center of attention, the luau will be a more social atmosphere thus you may feel much more comfortable.

Laterns and white lights also would make the beach so romantic... Your lucky to have 2 great ideas to pick from but the beach wedding would be my pick (same age as you).