Go to the wedding, you'll be glad you did, or there likely will be animosity.

Little story - My daughter is getting married next week after almost two years of planning. I work at a 24x7x365 shop and getting weekends off for anything is tough. Even when I asked for next weekend off for her wedding 9 months ago, my boss said "we'll" see. Meaning in case someone else doesn't already have that week schedule off for vacation. We turned in our vacation schedule prior at the first of the year. Even months ahead, it kinda turned into an ordeal because if others were already scheduled for vacation, someone had to be at work, and I can understand her point.

Anyhow, one of my best friends (who happens to be married to my cousin), their boy (would be my 2nd cousin I guess) got married last weekend, but I didn't know anything about the upcoming wedding until about a month or so ago.  Seems it wasn't planned much in advanced.

Well due to vacation schedules at this time of year and coincidentally our company golf outing (scheduled months ago) was that very day last Saturday making it impossible for me to get the day off for my cousin's wedding. (no I wasn't golfing, I had to cover...8^))

Anyhow, I told them a couple weeks ago I could  not get off due to scheduling but would have a gift and representation there from my daughter, mother and girlfriend.

I felt really bad, but late that night of wedding after the reception (probably been drinking) I received a FU text from him which I knew better than to respond at the time, and we haven't communicated since (yet).

I guess I'm dog do-do to them right now...

So Cyclic-Rivers, do everything you can to get to the wedding, it'll keep the peace, and hey – you might have a good time...8^)

As said, a hunt isn't worth family or friendships...

My sister-in-law got married the second week of the season. I told my wife I would go to the wedding, but that they had better not expect me at any anniversary events in the future.

Bisch

I was afraid he didn't come to your wedding and that this is a fair-weather friend.  However, two wrongs don't make a right. Sounds like your friend may need all the support he can get.   It also appears you may get enjoy catching up with acquaintances.

Deer season in the east is long and who knows, maybe it'll rain hard that day?  Or the wind will be wrong, too hot, ...?

I wouldn't even mention to anyone at the wedding that you are giving up an important day to pursue your passion -- you'll only risk having people resent you for being a reluctant guest.  As the old song goes, "Love the one your with".

A note: I don't know if this is the case but sometimes nonhunters or super-casual hunters think our passion for hunting is a trivial thing and that almost anything they do is more important. I feel a bit sorry for these folks because many have nothing in their life as important or as satisfying as the bowhunting we enjoy. It is difficult for them to relate to us.

Of course I'll also admit, I've been known to go overboard with my hunting at times and I don't hit it near as hard as I used to. Although it is my goal to at least exceed the national average for days bowhunted per season -- 23 days. My top number was 110 days -- back in the early 1980's.

If you take a gift, I'd definitely buy something that is meant for your friend more so than the wife.  Maybe a picture album with a hunting theme on the cover -- for his future hunting pictures?

I got married durring hunting season.My wife thought if her brother hunted w/ me on the day of the hanging(I mean wedding).I would be less likely to run away w/ his rifle at my back.

If he's a good friend of yours take him hunting with you and get him to forget the wedding.          

Hmmmh...........

No choice to be made.

I was married at the Gun Show in Reno, NV in 1998.

Plenty of guns and a fine woman, can't do better than that.

I think hunting season and weddings would be a great idea.

Charles.

I went straight from a morning stand to my wedding, changed into my tux on the back porch of my mom's house!  Man, if my wife's parents could've seen that!