I want to marry on the beach but family hates the idea

Dear It's Your Big Day, I have always dreamed of getting married on the beach, with a romantic backdrop of white sand and azure blue seas and my fiance is also really happy to make my dream come true. My problem is my family.Mum and dad are separated and don't want to be away together and my brother and his wife reckon they can't afford to come to our wedding. This is causing us so much heartache. Please help. Claire

Dear Claire,

Your dream wedding sounds wonderful, especially on a cold winter's day like today. We can totally understand the attraction of a wedding abroad. we do have a couple of possible compromises that just might work for you.

Have you thought about a beach wedding a little closer to home, there are some amazing beaches in the UK and although you can't guarantee the sunshine all your family could be there. the actual service would need to take place in  registered premises but a Cornish beach is a possible solution. Or have a look at a some of the places you can fly to on a budget airline, Italy and France have wonderful beaches and your family could maybe afford an overnight stay  or even drive to the continent.

If your dream though is to have your wedding on a distant shore, you could always set up a web or skype link so that your family can see and hear the wedding.   When you return you could have a small reception for those who couldn't make it.

Ask your mum to fly out early with you to help you prepare and your dad to fly out the day before so that they are together for as little time as possible.

The ultimate decision has to be yours, if your dream is important to you you can make it come true.

Good luck and let us know what you decide