les and bee sound spot on to me. When my bro sent his Committment invitations he addressed the outside to Mr. and Mrs. He did not mention anyone else, nothing on the inside. We knew this was a formal event, was told the facility does not tollerate children running around, he even stated to others that children were not appreciated. told our sis that only the people on the invitation were invited. Due to other issues I had with my bro we did not bring our children, yes his nephew and neice. Then he got all bent out of shape when we did not bring our kids. Just another reason I am glad they did not go.

When I got married, in July about a mile from the lake, my dad had the outdoor area "bug-bombed" the day BEFORE the wedding -- or maybe it was 2 days? Whatever. But it seemed to work. I don't know about citronella candles, but I learned here on this forum that the best defense is a FAN. Hard to have enough of those for a big area, though, and I don't know if you will have electricity. Thing Two (my daughter) worked at a camp this summer, and she used one of those new things you clip on your belt -- I think it is a fan with some insect repellent? She said it worked great. You could consider buying those for people.

First, nobody is obligated to go thousands of miles to attend a wedding. I don't care if they're immediate family, that does not obligate you. Fer cryin out loud, sometimes the bride and groom aren't even in the same spot! LOL I would not likely attend many weddings or funerals that are thousands of miles away. Second, nobody is obligated to spend a DIME they can't afford to attend a wedding. Expecting that is selfish. No way would I spend the money if I couldn't well afford it. Third, nobody is obligated to condone something they honestly feel is not right. This isn't an endorsement nor condemnation to your opinion, simply a fact. And it doesn't matter whether it's reasonable or not. If *you* don't feel the marriage is right, for whatever reason and regardless of whether you're even correct on it, you don't have an obligation to attend and as I said, maybe only the bride and groom (or groom and groom or bride and bride, or dog and horse, etc. are "obligated" to attend in the first place. If you felt the marriage was illegal, for instance a sham to gain citizenship or something, you'd be a hypocrite to attend and endorse it IMO. Also, you're not obligated to send a gift if you don't want to give one. Sounds like you would like to give something since you've said you're happy for him and would like to meet his friend. I have a policy that I make known: Don't ask me a question you don't want answered. Don't pull this if you can't say something nice... BS on me. Don't even try. That's a silly saying. If you ask me "Does this dress make me look fat?" I may well tell you that no, the dress doesn't make you look fat, it's the extra 40 pounds on the hips that makes you look fat. He asked your opinion, you gave it. He couldn't accept it. He's trying to pull the if you can't say something nice crapola and you don't need to subscribe. Sounds to me that he wants to be more high profile on his beliefs, orientation and political activities. I wouldn't get caught up in it. Yes, if you haven't been invited it's not an issue right now but it's reasonable to sort your feelings now. And no, I certainly would not lie. I don't tell people I can't get off work, or the car wouldn't start or some lie that everyone can see through. You don't say why, you say you won't be attending the event. If you regret that you can't go, say you regret that you won't be attending. If they press, there's a lot of reasons, distance and financial should be the first considerations. And by then if they don't understand, there's no need to say more. And as far as being judgmental or uncomfortable at a wedding, sheesh! How often does that happen? Most? "She's not good enough for him..." "He's not good enough for her..." "My, my, do you suppose she's pregnant???" "S/He's not the same religion, color, nationality, from the same town, talks funny, doesn't have the same education,..." "MY child's wedding was nicer than this..." bla,...

I know what Prepaid Legal is. A best friend got 'into' it, thinking it was the most wonderful thing in the world, and that 'everyone' would automatically 'want' to buy it. Being a best friend, she asked me to 'just watch' the video. She said it was really neat! I did just that...watched it, and then told her it was something that 'some' folks may want to pay for every month for the rest of their lives, but I wasn't one of them. Didn't foresee needing an attorney anytime in the next 10-20 years or so. She soon dropped out of it...finding it wasn't the great easy money maker she thought it would be. I think your friend sounds really hooked on it....determined to be one of the few at the top of that pyramid...What it might all boil down to is his worship of the almighty dollar, and not value such 'things' as friends and old friendships. Sounds like he has set himself up for a rude awakening sometime on down the road. His loss. Like Nancy said...all his 'friends(?) are probably all ate up on that PL crapola. Sue