Because my wife came from a distressed mining area, and her mother was a widowed pensioner, we kept the city hall service to a minimum, and just said anyone who wants to celebrate, join us in the pub after. It worked. My daughter married a Canadian but in Ithaca in USA, so not many could afford the flights. His family have travel phobias (even by car)so we kept it small. Turned out Bride and Groom were delighted not to have a circus.

So great! Except for everyone else.


I will have a small wedding, a barn wedding, I will wear cowboy or combat boots, and there will be black or brown in the color scheme. Invitations will be printed at home. My dress will be the biggest cost. And that's cool with me.

They're allowed to be upset and you're allowed to have the wedding you want. They should not have told you they were upset. As friends they should assume you have reason to do what you do.

Of course it is. It's your day your money is paying for it.
We went away,took a few relatives,and had a great holiday,with the ones we love

Its your wedding. People may be dissapointed at not getting to attend but,if truly friends ,theyll be glad for you anyway

Yes. Parents and close family is okay. More than that is just for social status. Only few people are really well wishers.

Personal choice. It's fine.
Have a party later that your friends can attend.

True friends and supporting family members will understand

Your wedding, your choice.

Yes. I was thinking of having a very small wedding myself with just me, the bride, and the puppy.🙂

Sounds like a business deal. I think you meant parents.

The wedding is about what you and your fiance want, period.

I didn't find out until years later how upset my mother was, that as the first child, I got married at City Hall. Just us, my best friend and my brother-in-law. But they threw us a party that served as a reception. We did it because we didn't want anyone spending a lot of money and we went into the marriage debt-free. Pop totally understood, and he helped Mom make peace with it. I think it helped that my middle sister had all the bells and whistles when it was her turn.