Who to invite? HELP!?

I think you should invite everyone, so that no feelings are hurt. I basically talked to everyone on my guest list, and if they had a interest in going I sent them a save the date. But you'll make a good decision.

immediate family and friends then go from there

I'm in the same boat. I don't deal with either side of my family like that. And neither does FI. And to add icing to the cake, the majority would not be able to travel to the wedding for financial reasons anyway.

I thought about sending invites to everyone but it'd be a waste of $$ in my opinion. I've decided to just invite a select few people. The grandparents, and immediate relatives that we actually do deal with.

If you are concerned about feelings being hurt (in my case I'm not really concerned), then maybe you should at least send the invites. Just be to be safe.

I'm rather unsure about what I'm doing as well. (Got to do more research on this amazing sight before I decide!) But I think I'll just invite close family and friends to the destination wedding. Then we'll have a casual bbq/reception back home by the river after the wedding that we plan on inviting EVERYONE to. Something like:

 

Stephanie & Jerry will be married

March 13, 2011

In Riviera Maya, MX

 

Please join us in celebrating our union

Guadalupe River State Park

March 19, 2011

 

Obviously I'll fancy the wording up, but that 's what I'm thinking. Does it seem rude to invite them to a party, but not to the wedding? We want to celebrate with everyone, but the cost of wedding invites and paying for them at the fancy reception at the resort is something we can't really afford.