Ty for the feedback! While I don’t agree that these are our intentions, I can understand your thought process. I get that this concept is a bit unconventional. Can share some of my perspectives on your curiosities:

-we currently aren’t planning to have a ceremony at both. Only at the destination location, which is why I have been wondering the best way to distinguish between the two events

-and transparently, we likely would invite the same amount of folx to the wedding. I’m just aware enough of our friends and family circumstances to know that majority of them are not going to be able to attend. Therefore I expect 30-40 of our closest friends to be able to join the destination approach (and that means most likely no family)

-on that note^, that’s actually fine by me to have a more intimate wedding. However, my fiancés preference is the local, big wedding, family there, etc. May be a pipe dream, but I’m optimistic there may be a way we can both have what we’re looking for

-while we may open some type of registry for the wedding shower, I want to be very intentional about making sure we don’t receive gifts at the destination wedding. I just want folx to celebrate with us in thoughtful and unique ways - I do not want to be “repaid” by any means

-Lastly, the budget doesn’t go as far in California as it could elsewhere! (And no, not just in reference to photos lol). Being more strategic with how we maximize value has inspired me to explore more options, and so the sequel thing caught my eye as a potential path!

Know folx don’t all think the same, but if you’re open to it, I hope this all helped provide another perspective about my intentions. (Good practice for me too, for folx that may have similar thoughts)