Destination wedding...

[nalomi]

So, it's the type of wedding invitation you can't really refuse, one from a close family member, and they've picked a destination wedding. I thought not a big deal at first, just a flight and a couple of days hotel, but it turns out not that simple, they are asking me to drop £1400 and take a week off work.

And where do you think they'd be having a wedding so as that flights and a week's accomodation there is £1400 a head per person? Seychelles? Thailand? Maldives?

Nope. It's Cyprus. The price is for a flight and all inclusive hotel, which includes all the buffet food you can eat and all the booze you can drink, neither of which really appealed to me - all that food left out for days on end with everyone picking through it, and I don't drink to excess, or at all except when socialising with a friend or date. And speaking of dates, it's not exactly something you can bring your other half to...

All my other close family members have said they are going and waiting for my response so it can be booked before the price goes up, that's the current quote. Any chance of a guilt free no?

We had a destination wedding and it was absolutely fabulous. It was a very small, private affair, I absolutely did not want a fuss.
We paid for our immediate family. A couple of very close friends asked if they could come and they paid for their flights and hotel.
We married in a secluded beachside traditional place, not the hotel where we all stayed.
Dh is atheist so marrying at home, in the local church was not an option.
Originally we intended going alone just doing it, however our immediate family were so happy and excited for us, we invited them to come.
It was an amazing experience and our guests didn't stay for the entire duration , so we had a 2_centre holiday with the second part as our honeymoon.
I would not expect guests to pay £1400 each.
However, if you explain you can't afford it, the bride & groom might suggest you go for a couple of days and get a good deal for you.

“I can’t guarantee time off work or being able to pay for it. I’ll look at flights and stuff nearer the time,,. Go ahead and book without me and I’ll see how next year goes”

Cautionary thread here - To cancel a wedding abroad that 40 guests have paid to attend? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/3960142-to-cancel-a-wedding-abroad-that-40-guests-have-paid-to-attend