A friend of mine is getting married in a couple months and I've been invited, in fact I'm part of the wedding party.

I'm already dreading it. It may sound awful to you but I don't care that they are getting married and I really don't want to go. First of all, it's out of town so it's going to be a three day affair. I generally get exhausted after spending one or two hours with people. It's going to be extremely trying. Secondly it's my entire weekend which is the only time I get to unwind and be by myself, I consider it essential for my mental health. And on top of that I have to spend a good amount of money to travel there and for a place to stay for 2 nights.

I do support their marriage, I think it's wonderful, but I've always hated weddings and I've never understood why they're so important to people. If I get married I personally don't even care if my own mother shows up, I just don't think weddings mean anything. To me they just look like a grandiose way of calling attention to yourself and I think they have very little to do with what they are supposed to be celebrating. A blatantly selfish and over the top party. It's disturbing to me.

But of course I have to go because of some kind of social obligation, regardless of how hard it's going to be for me. For whatever reason it's considered a friendship ruiner if you refuse an invitation to a wedding. Especially now since I'm in the wedding party. And That's supposed to be an honor? All it is to me is a major stress in my life. I just don't understand. I can't be the only one who sees weddings like this.