Shelly,
I understand where you are coming from. It's hard to expect people to spend so much money when you don't know their finances, but I am the same way...I enjoy going on vacation and I use things like this as an excuse to get away. I don't think that $1,000 is alot of money at all, especially if they spend money on other stuff. Friends are one thing..but family should be there! I look at it as if you are giving these people a year or so notice, then they should be able to save that money to go. This is an important day for their brother and you would think they would want to be there. I guess some people's priorities aren't the same. I could understand if they weren't buying new cars and other material things...but it just seems to me that it's an excuse. Money is the best cop out.
Can anyone in the family help pay for them to go??