The people who'd rather choose to go to a server closer to them are still going to do that, even if you put one extra step in their way. I would advise just communicating with your friends, set up communication outside the game in case we aren't given a server list before hand, and pick a new server that way.
As for me, if I wind up being separated from friends because of the server deal, I'll accept that everyone made their choices for the best, and make new friends! That's why Friendship is Magic. :3