How would you handle this?

[ufcrusher]

In the past year, my friends have all started to drop like flies sprayed with bug spray. I guess with our 20's behind us for the most part, reality is sinking in and they are realizing that life long bachelorhood isnt all its cracked up to be. (Although there are several hold outs, most of the ones who havent started going down have live-in girlfriends so its just a matter of time)

Unfortunately, I have 3 who all decided to "bite the bullet" at approximately the same time, with all 3 getting engaged within the same short period. This wouldnt be a problem if these guys were actually friends with each other, as there wouldnt be the possibility that they all would try for the same date. Unfortunately, the only commonality they have is that they are all my
friends. All 3 asked for my mailing address within a few days of each other, which means that the weddings will likely be in close proximity to each other.

Sure enough, I have now been told 2 dates within 2 weeks of each other. (The other guy told me that they are still hemming about the date.) The problem is that the weddings are all in Florida, while I am out here in California still. If they were months apart it wouldnt be as big an issue, but with them only being 2 weeks apart I suddenly have a problem. Flying back and forth from Florida every few weeks is a royal pain. (No direct flights from San Diego means layovers and more time....wasting a day each way traveling!)

I am a groomsmen at the one wedding so I am obviously going to be at that one, but I dont know what I should do about the other one. My friend flew in from Florida for my wedding...has come out multiple times on business and makes sure to see me each time....plus we have stayed in relatively good contact, probably the best contact out of all of my fraternity brothers.

As I see it, I can either just fly back and forth from each wedding which would be the most expensive choice (both money and time), I can just stay in Florida for the entire month which may be the only choice, or I can not attend the one wedding.

I should probably also say that I am currently planning on taking the Florida bar exam....which just so happens to be that same month, meaning that I would be flying in 3 out of 4 weeks!

With the exception of the actual wedding nights/weekend/bar exam, I would just stay at our Florida house, so there shouldnt be any issue with a place to stay. My only problem is having a vehicle as we got rid of one car, leaving only 2 cars for 3.5 drivers if I am there. (.5 = my sister with her learners permit) I dont think it would be cost effective to either drive or ship my car there for the month, but it would probably be close to what I would pay to rent a car for that period of time, unless i just rented one for the weddings/bar exam.

What would you do? (Assume there is no work conflict)

[cheapie]

yeah....i was right there with you until i got to this part....


I would just stay at our Florida house

now, i'm not feeling as bad for you. ;)

[RoniMan]

yeah....i was right there with you until i got to this part....

now, i'm not feeling as bad for you. ;)

:stupid:

1. you're saving money on the airplane tix. so rent a car for those special occasions.
2. you're saving money on staying at your HOUSE. so rent a car.
3. if it was me, i'd probably just rent a car.
4. rent a DAMN car!

:D

[ufcrusher]

I should clarify that by "our Florida house" I really meant, my Dads house. No matter how old I get, I still look at my parents houses as being "my" house. I havent ever lived in this house, just visited it, it was built while I was in college.

[angl2b]

stay for the month - if you are good friends with them then I think you should attend especially because you have an option of a place to stay - renting a car or just work out borrowing a car for those nights with your family?

[Grimm]

Talk to your parents about it. They will probably have some valuable sugestions.

Maybe taking a vacation there would be a good solution. Attend weddings, study and take the bar exam.

I don't think it would be a problem to arrange to have a car for the weddings, if one of your parent's cars not going to be available you should just rent one. When you are not preparing for or attending the wedding, you should be studying.

[ufcrusher]

The only issue is that both weddings are nowhere near my dads place. One is 4hrs away, the other is 1.5hrs away. This is going to be one hell of a logistical exercise.

From what is known in the "Attorney world", the Florida bar should be relatively easy compared to the California bar which is the toughest in the country. I just need to learn the nuances of Florida law, but figuring I am already an attorney in California, it shouldnt be too much of an issue.

[Paymaster]

My wife and I recently paid over $600 to rent a car for 4 days in eastern Europe (for a wedding). You will probably pay less than that, for longer than that, for two weddings. I don't see your problem. :)

[sizemic1]

Tell whatever lawfirm you work for that you need to get some CEU's and that you really need to attend [insert whatever Bar Association Gathering happens to be going on here]. Oh, and you'll need a rental car for the trip(s).

[nickel]

go to all the weddings. do what you have to do.
how often do friends get married? i wouldn't miss a friend's wedding for the world.

[Nija]

Sounds like you should be able to attend the Florida G|A? get together too :P

I say stay out there the whole month.

[CrystalDuck]

I'd say just move there, but it is Florida. You might want to just tell them all that you're allergic to the state and can't make it.

[esme]

I agree with everyone else .....

If your parents don't mind that you stay @ their house then do so.
If you can rent a car to get you to & from the weddings then rent it.

Both wedding should be equally important, as you are the groomsmen in one and a good friend to the other! :cheers:
Just ask yourself, would they have missed your wedding?

Expedia.com has really good rates if you book the car through them

:wavey2:

[ShawnLee]

Stay the month, study there, get bar recognized, watch friends commit hari-kari (seppuku), come back happy.