My FH and I are getting married in our hometown in Michigan. The problem is, for the past five years, I've been living in California, going to school. My whole life has pretty much been here non-stop for five years. All my close friends are here. My parents are also here but will be moving back there. My whole family is pretty much back east and his ENTIRE family is there, as well as all his friends. It's the most strategic place for us. The thing is, my friends are all poor college students and, with the exception of the girls I'm hoping to have in my bridal party, won't be able to afford the trip. Is inviting them rude, since I know they won't be able to make it? I don't expect any of them to come, I just want them to know that I was thinking of them.

INVITE!!! they would be more upset by not getting a invite then by getting one.
I am very sorry about your sitiuation though have you thought about maybe getting married in the middle, like in Denver?

That would be great but I think out budget is way too small to do that, especially since we don't know anyone in the middle who could help us. Family is centrally located in the Midwest and that's who is most important it just kind of sucks because it will be mostly family and his friends, who are my friends too, just not the people I've shared the past four years with.

I would definately invite them. Are any of your friends tech-savy? Maybe you could have someone set up a webcam and they could watch the ceremony and the reception from wherever they are and have a mini party there together. What about them all carpooling together and all chipping in for gas?

Just invite them. The main purpose is "You just want them to know that you were thinking of them."

I agree with the others, invite them. My sister got married the end of May and didn't invite our family from another state. Our cousin had just had a baby and so she wasn't willing to travel, I think it hurt their feelings a little bit that they didn't get an invite.