Me and my FI were invited to a destination wedding. The wedding is in June 2017, and in the invitation indicated we were to RSVP by this May. My first question- is this normal to have to RSVP over a year early for a DW? We would love to go, but our wedding is shortly after this DW. We have a lot of finances to take care of for our own wedding, but this is a close friend of his and our entire group of friends are planning on going. What if we RSVP yes, but something happens before any payments are due and we have to back out? Will that negatively affect the bride and groom? I'm just afraid to commit so early!
Second question- I've always heard no gift is required for a DW. Your presence is the gift. How valid is this? Although we would be spending over $1500 a person to attend this wedding, I hate the idea of not giving anything to the Bride and Groom. But at the same time, we are spending so much to be there.
Thanks for the help!