<human>: Can you condense the text into three sentences or less?

Hey all

I have a group of four close knit friends, who are in our late 20s and one of them is getting married in the summer to another person not within the group. He has decided to get married in China, where his fiancee's parents are. Naturally, he has invited the other two close knit friends and me. 

Now my two fellow invitees are both gainfully employed, while I'm still a student at school with substantial debts. I can't afford to go by my own, and the person getting married has offered to pay for me (this is around $3000 with hotels and airfare). 

Thinking it through, I declined. I would have to get them a rather significant wedding gift and also be inclined to pay their loan back. A fellow invitee has told me to think of it as an interest free loan, but it does not excuse the amount of money I would have to spend once I'm there.. I'm thinking that will be around $1k out of pocket. 

After my declining to go, my engaged friend has been rather consistent in trying to convince me to go. I think I have even hurt our relationship a bit. 

I have tried a few times to explain in detail about what my rationales are (that I can't afford $1k+ out of my own pocket, and I won't expect them to pay for everything), and that I'm generally uncomfortable with taking out such a large loan at their expense. 

While I have stuck with my decision, I can't help but feel a bit selfish for declining their invitation, since it is their special day. 

Just wondering what /relationships thinks about situation!
<bot>: Friend's wedding in far away land, I can't afford to go, they offer to pay, I decline for my own unease. WAT DO?