I take it your friend is British? If so it's unlikely they'll ever accept her. And as everyone else said if they marry somewhere else they still have to face the music when they get back.
If he really loves her i guess they'll have to move somewhere else for good and cut off his family but not a very good start to married life.
I have known of a few East/West marriages and none have worked out.
Sorry I can't be more positive.