'AITA for not wanting to attend my childhood friend's wedding after a last-min invite?'

Someone cancelled so you're allowed to fill the spot. You don't have to. An excuse on such short notice should be easy enough

No thank you is the phrase you are looking for. Use it.

NTA and have JOMO. Joy of Missing Out.

NTA. even if you wanted to go, two days isnt a lot of time to find a dress, shoes, makeup, hair, a gift, get time off work, etc.

Just say you're busy lol

So don’t go .. it’s an invite , not a summons .

NTA ... don't let "Arya" or the girl tribe hold you emotional hostage. It's likely she is only inviting (last minute) because of family/friends pressure. If she wanted you there, she would have invited you at the same time that she invited your family. Instead of buying her a gift, go have a spa day instead. Treat yourself like you wish your "friends" would treat you.

Nah, fuck that off.

I've been invited to childhood friend's weddings, and I've always gone.

Three of them in fact.

Because... well, I wanted to.

But then after the wedding they just go back to not speaking to you, and then after like 6-7 years you bump into them and they're all like... "yeah, we should get together".. so you invite them to a few things, they refuse.. they invite you to nothing, and they're gone for another 6-7 years.

There's no point in going if you don't want to.

A wedding invitation is not a summons - I am unable to attend is enough of a response. Don't explain, don't make excuses.

"Sorry I'm out of town on those days"

You’re being invited to make up catering numbers. Ditch the wedding. She doesn’t care about you being there.

Arya is one of those childhood friends that should remain only in your childhood memories.

She's not your friend now and has not been for a long while. It's perfectly normal for people to grow apart over time but when that happens you need to draw the line over the friendship.

Being invited two days before the wedding is insulting. Arya doesn't want you there. Maybe someone else cancelled and/or she's being forced by her family to include you, whatever the reason may be it's very obvious this friendship is over. Inviting you to pre-wedding events feels like gift grab too.

Don't go, save yourself the cost and the hassle of getting a gift and a dress at such ridiculously short notice. Plan something nice for yourself and enjoy it!

"Won't be able to attend, hope you have a great day" is all you need to say. She's ghosted you over the past years, was barely polite, you don't owe her anything. No reason, no apology, nothing.

NTA. She invited you on such a short notice that you should use that as the excuse not to go.
"I'm so sorry, but I've already got plans. I only received an invite 2 days before the big day, I can't get off work on such a short notice. But I love her and am wishing her the very best!"

Someone either cancelled or asked why you weren't there and now she's trying to save face. Tell everyone the truth and let them think what they want.

She just want wedding gifts

In 10 years you will be so happy when you’re not invited to weddings at all.

OP, match her energy. Don't respond to her and don't go.

That is no friend.

NTA

With your mention of a saree and reference to an auntie, I’m guessing that you ad/or she may be Indian, yes?

If so, may I infer that this will be something like a traditional Indian wedding?

If I’m correct, then I can’t imagine that even if you wished to attend, you’d be in a position to take all of that time from work, get all the necessary attire (assuming you’d have to buy some) and prepare yourself for such a multi-day event, with only a two day notice.

And even if all of the above isn’t the case, two days’ notice isn’t sufficient. And from what I read, it really sounds more like her parents pressured her into extending the invitation.

NTA…politely decline and then find something more fun to do.

It sounds like you don’t want to go. So don’t. It’s simple. “I won’t be able to make it on such short notice.” Is a complete and clear response. No thanks, person I used to know. Now go live your life. We all have people from our past. It’s okay that they were only friends for a certain period of time. It’s not a failure, it’s just the stuff of life.

NTA and I'd question if this person was ever your friend, perhaps when you were younger you just didn't pick up on what became obvious as you got older 

I wouldn't go if it were me. I'd forget about this person altogether 

NTA. If you don’t want to go then don’t.