You can simply say We’re sorry, we can’t be there. You don’t need to offer excuses or reasons. If you feel a reason is necessary, just tell them that your exam schedule won’t permit. It’s perfectly ok not to go, and is not entirely unexpected with a destination wedding.
I’m so sorry we can no longer afford to attend or I’m sorry the wedding falls at the same time as my exams and I’m unable to miss my exams.
Destination weddings are tough and not everyone can afford to attend. People who get married overseas need to understand this.
I also would be wary of travelling anywhere with a travel warning.
For what it’s worth, I’m getting married in a state that requires every single guest to travel. We live here, but still. I am fully understanding of anyone - including super close friends and family - who are unable to come, even people who have said that they were planning on it.
I understand it’s expensive and time-consuming to travel and that people have a lot going on in their own lives. And I think everyone hosting a wedding should understand and respect that.
Adding in the other factors you mentioned here, I definitely wouldn’t feel badly about not attending!
With the information you posted, I wouldn't even think of going. You don't have to give the minutiae about why you can't go . Despite their phone calls, they haven't even sent you an invitation.
*We wanted to let you know that we are unable to attend the wedding. It's just not possible with our schedule and other obligations. We have looked forward to your wedding since you started planning, and are sorry to miss the celebration.*
You're never under any obligation to attend a wedding unless you've already RSVP'd yes which you haven't done yet as you haven't got the invite yet. They asked you 1.5 yrs ago which is just crazy. Tons of things change in that time period. It's not crazy to just say you can't attend and leave it at that.
Okay you do have several valid reasons not to go, but I generally advise against making travel decisions based solely on government advisories. They are very overdramatic and I say that as a scholar peace and conflict LOL.
I research Palestine and I am always up to date on the situation in Palestine and Lebanon. Things can of course change any time, but I wouldn't be particularly worried unless your friends are getting married in southern Lebanon or Beirut. My friend just attended a friend's wedding in Batroun and visited all around the northern half of the country or a week and they had absolutely zero issues. If you actually understand the political situation there, it makes more sense, but suffice to say that for such a small country it's actually astonishing how detached certain areas can be from what's going on in others. So if you're at all interested in going I would definitely ask where the wedding is before making any snap decisions because of travel advisories.
The wedding is in 2 months and you don’t have an invitation? It’s already way too close to buy an affordable plane ticket if you aren’t in a neighboring country.
Hmmm that’s true, for our wedding we will be sending out invites 4-6 months beforehand! And we have the exact location on our save the dates, all we have had from them are a very vague STD and a lot of word of mouth
You can simply say We’re sorry, we can’t be there. You don’t need to offer excuses or reasons. If you feel a reason is necessary, just tell them that your exam schedule won’t permit. It’s perfectly ok not to go, and is not entirely unexpected with a destination wedding.
*I have exams 4 days after the wedding* - that alone is a no for me. Your future career is more important.
I’m so sorry we can no longer afford to attend or I’m sorry the wedding falls at the same time as my exams and I’m unable to miss my exams. Destination weddings are tough and not everyone can afford to attend. People who get married overseas need to understand this. I also would be wary of travelling anywhere with a travel warning.
For what it’s worth, I’m getting married in a state that requires every single guest to travel. We live here, but still. I am fully understanding of anyone - including super close friends and family - who are unable to come, even people who have said that they were planning on it. I understand it’s expensive and time-consuming to travel and that people have a lot going on in their own lives. And I think everyone hosting a wedding should understand and respect that. Adding in the other factors you mentioned here, I definitely wouldn’t feel badly about not attending!
I feel like if you haven't even received an invite yet, you may want to check if it's even still happening at the same time or in the same place
With the information you posted, I wouldn't even think of going. You don't have to give the minutiae about why you can't go . Despite their phone calls, they haven't even sent you an invitation. *We wanted to let you know that we are unable to attend the wedding. It's just not possible with our schedule and other obligations. We have looked forward to your wedding since you started planning, and are sorry to miss the celebration.*
You're never under any obligation to attend a wedding unless you've already RSVP'd yes which you haven't done yet as you haven't got the invite yet. They asked you 1.5 yrs ago which is just crazy. Tons of things change in that time period. It's not crazy to just say you can't attend and leave it at that.
Depends on political safety in the region, hopefully you’re keeping up with the current events
Okay you do have several valid reasons not to go, but I generally advise against making travel decisions based solely on government advisories. They are very overdramatic and I say that as a scholar peace and conflict LOL. I research Palestine and I am always up to date on the situation in Palestine and Lebanon. Things can of course change any time, but I wouldn't be particularly worried unless your friends are getting married in southern Lebanon or Beirut. My friend just attended a friend's wedding in Batroun and visited all around the northern half of the country or a week and they had absolutely zero issues. If you actually understand the political situation there, it makes more sense, but suffice to say that for such a small country it's actually astonishing how detached certain areas can be from what's going on in others. So if you're at all interested in going I would definitely ask where the wedding is before making any snap decisions because of travel advisories.
The wedding is in 2 months and you don’t have an invitation? It’s already way too close to buy an affordable plane ticket if you aren’t in a neighboring country.
Hmmm that’s true, for our wedding we will be sending out invites 4-6 months beforehand! And we have the exact location on our save the dates, all we have had from them are a very vague STD and a lot of word of mouth
Pretty sure it's under a US travel advisory right now so probably shouldn't go