Can I seek some advice here? I've been invited to a good friends wedding, known him since high school. The wedding isn't for another four months but I know I'm not going to attend. I've moved out of state (2,000 miles away) and I'm not in a position to make the trip happen financially.

The problem is that I know I'll be given a ton of shit for not going, especially due to a lack of funds- one friend has said he'll cover cost of travel etc. but I'm not comfortable with that. Plus the affair looks to be a real high end event with lots of people which just isn't for me. I'm dreading cooking up a lie or an excuse for my absence but there's really not an option for me to decline without a bunch of blowback.