Weddingbee boards

I have known my friend since freshman year of college, and way back when we used to talk about being in each other's weddings, I had said she'd be a bridesmaid, etc. Over the college years we grew apart a little bit because we had different majors and we never had time to see each other, and she became devoutly religious (Jehovah's witness) so was spending more time at meetings and with her new friends. What's awesome about us though is that it never got in the way, every time we hung out it was awesome and we always remarked how crazy it is that we can just fall right back into it like we've never been apart.

After we graduated and moved to different parts of the country, I heard she got engaged. She sent me a picture of the ring and everything, I was so excited for her! But an invite never came. She had a super short engagement, and since she was religious I figured there was a multitude of reasons that I wasn't invited, and decided not to think anything of it. After the wedding I commented on her pictures and said she looked beautiful, and she later wrote me a note saying she was so sorry she couldn't invite me, and that she felt really bad. I said no problem, I totally get it and I just wanted her to be happy.

So now I'm getting married, and I would still just love for her to be there, to meet her new husband and to have her enjoy our day.  I asked her for her address recently, and she responded with "ooh, are you sending me something special? How's california, wedding planning, etc..." So, what do I say? I kind of don't want to tell her I'm sending a save the date, because she might try to talk me out of it if she feels bad. I don't want her to, I just want her to come if she wants to. If I do mention it's for the wedding, how should I put it? It's possible I'm reading way too much into this and it will be no big deal, but I don't want to make her feel awkward, I just miss her :D What should I do? Sorry for the epic novel!

I'd just respond with something along the lines of "you'll see :)" and then send the save the date to her. Then she can decide for herself if she should come, and hopefully she will. I am inviting a friend who didn't invite me to her wedding; we were best friends in high school and had a very regrettable falling out when I went away to college (she stayed home). She married her high school boyfriend right after college and I was the only one of our friends not invited, which was super painful at the time. We've since somewhat restored our friendship--definitely not best friends but I see her a few times a year and we have the same circle of friends from home. I decided I will send an invite to her and her husband and let them make the decision whether or not to come. If she feels awkward about it, she can just decline and make up an excuse.

Ah thanks guys, I knew I just needed some talking back down to earth. I definitely have an issue of creating problems where there are none :) I was thinking of just sending back "you'll see" like you guys said so I'll leave it at that. And we're having a civil ceremony so there's no issue there, although some Witnesses do not attend any parties/weddings I don't think she is one of them. I went back through our facebook messages and she did specify after the fact that it was due to monetary issues, not religious. ::crosses fingers:: i hope she's able to come!

Don;t think too much about it.  Just send her the save the date.