travelling for events?

*Barbie*

i know it would depend on a lot of factors (event, people involved, cost, etc.) - but where do you draw the line?

for example, SIL T had nephew baptized in MI, where she lived at the time. We were living in Philly - about 11-12 hour drive from her house. We opted out because of the time and cost. (We both would have had to take at least 1 vacation day, if not 2, pay for gas, several nights in a hotel, dog boarding, meals, gift, etc.  - around $700ish + 2-4 vacation days for the long weekend). ILs gave us a ridiculous amount of crap for it -yes we HAD the money and time off but that was not how we wanted to spend it.

i still think entire extended IL family is nuts for flying to Houston for Wolverine's baptism.

a wedding of a VERY close friend or relative I could justify - but travel is expensive, and vacation time is scarce.

loveshine1

I will take days off and spend money traveling for people I know and like.

Otherwise, no.

MinM

Graduate school BFF is getting married this summer in a town that is about an eight hour drive away. This would require one vacation day (at least), boarding for the dogs (unless we could get someone to sit with them, and that is PITA), gas, hotel and meals. Now, she flew to town for our wedding, but she was able to see quite a few different groups of friends while she was in town. I know 0 people in that town. There will be one, maybe two mutual friends at the reception, and potentially one frenemy.

Given I am taking my vacation days as soon as I rack them up to go see my mom and I am paying royally for those plane tickets, we will not be attending this wedding.


I am sending a gift, regardless of attendance. <- least I can do.

Confession-worthy: I know she is trying to make this wedding as affordable (read: cheap) as possible (see: the FB STD) and I am not putting myself out for another cheap wedding. I'm not taking vacation days and money for travel to stay in another booger wall hotel for an event with a cash bar. I can go to a local dive bar to get that experience.

thatgrrrrl

My cousin is getting married Memorial day weekend. He and his FI are in CA whereas the rest of the family (at least the majority) is on the East Coast. Due to cost and time, we had to opt out. Too difficult to make that big of a trip on that busy of a travel weekend with an infant. And the cost of everything would be over 2 months of daycare.

ReturnOfKuus

I'm considering traveling to Boston for bff's doctoral defense.  It'll be the first time I've traveled for an event.

zsazsa-stl

I make my decision based on cost and personal interest.

Cousin that I haven't seen since she was 10 is getting married in Podunkville requiring me to take off work, fly and rent a car?  No  

Friend getting married in some really cool place that will double as a fun long weekend away, lots of other friends in attendance and promises of awesome reception?  Yes

NOLABridesmaid

I expect you all to come to the wedding of the decade.

:::Whenever that might happen:::

baconsmom

I haven't run into this: I have no friends in exotic places. 

In general, I'll travel for big family events. My line is the season: My bros can have kids in the summer all they want, but they shouldn't expect me to show up at the baptisms. I'm not spending money and time to die of heatstroke. 

LnR70707

Weddings are the only events we consider traveling for.  Well, and funerals for shorter distances.

MinM

NOLA - If you have it in your current location, I'll be there, as it is driving distance.

If you have it in your hometown, I'll be there, as it is awesome.

NOLABridesmaid

Ha. Min, I'll have alcohol too.

Holla.

hmonkey

nola, i would have brought my own.

i'm with zsa -- cost and personal interest.  there are plenty of weddings i haven't gone to just because i don't care to go.