In-laws not in good health for a destination wedding. Am i being selfish?

Whether you are close to them or not isn't important in my opinion. It's your fiance's parents and unless he isn't close to them then I can't imagine he wouldn't want them to be at his wedding. I personally feel it's more important to have VIP family members in attendance rather than a specific location.

Barring some big problems of your fiancé's parents, the first choice would be to have the wedding where all parents could be there. The weddings are about moving from one family to create a new one. I know there are at times two weddings when having to share the celebration across two countries.

Another option, which some couples have had to do anyhow, is do the marriage the states -- maybe with a small group including your fiancé's parents and then have the bigger event in Guatemala --if that seems to work well for his parents. What does your fiancé think about the matter? (This question also may be useful when thinking what family means to you all.)

Hello can you try to do a little ceremony for his parents that can't come. And then have your actual wedding to the destination you want it at. I know how it feels because my mother was not at mom wedding. Its really hurts me so I did want his mother that is not 100. But wasable to attend our wedding. I was trying to setup a way for my mom to be on video. I was late and couldn't do the setup for her to srry us getting married but I sent her alots of pics. I hope it all works out

Could you maybe have a wedding in the states for his parents, then honeymoon in Guatemala, where you would have the big celebration with your family?

Presumably your FI is close to them, even if you aren't. What does he want to do? Can your family travel from Guatemala?

I think you need to talk to your future spouse about this. What do they think? I can't imagine not having my parents at my wedding. I think you could always do a wedding here with a lot of Guatemalan influences, and then honeymoon in Guatemala?

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This is an awesome idea

The wedding is about you AND your fiance. His parents should be there, especially if your family is able and willing to travel to your hometown. Unless he has some awful relationship with them you should compromise and stay where that can easily attend.

What’s the situation with your parents/close family? Are they able to travel to your wedding? If the reason you want the Guatemalan wedding is to be surrounded by your loved ones who wouldn’t be able to make it to your hometown, then I see how that would be devastating for you to not have them. I agree with the people who are asking if you can do two celebrations? Otherwise it seems like one family will be left out if neither family can travel. What has your fiancé said?

The detail was left out which relatives might be in Guatemala. If your primary relatives are in the States, that is a useful detail.

If you decide to elope, then Guatemala would be fine. Otherwise, I'd say no.

. Thanks everyone for the responses. The two of us had previously spoken about the idea a while back but it was very general and it was before his mom got sicker. More like daydreaming than talking actual reality. I was asking this question because I wasn’t even sure about whether to bring up that idea to him again in case it’s too hurtful. I may remind him that is was something I wanted but I’m convinced now it’s not a good idea to move forward with even a second wedding there although it makes me sad. He does not have a great relationship with his mother but he does have a good relationship with his dad and step mom. My parents are in the states and family in Guatemala would be able to travel here even my grandparents.

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If your family is able to travel easily, then it makes sense to have the wedding in the US. As Cece said, could you plan a fun party in Guatemala to celebrate?