Both of my weddings were very low key. The second one was a ton more fun but probably because I was a little older and a little wiser.
What I don't get about weddings, is when acquaintances are invited(not close friends or family) with an expectation to travel, pay for expensive lodging, gift, etc.
I was even invited to a bridal shower for someone who I'd only met face to face a few times and considered a perfectly nice person that I enjoyed spending time with on the occasion or two that I saw her every year or two.
The bridal shower was in NYC, an over night, and the invitation said that, my share of the $$ would only be X amount of dollars if all who were invited showed up, and that would include my expenses as well as the bride's because "we wouldn't want her to have to pay for her own bridal shower, would we?"
This amount of money didn't include my airfare or ground transportation or the possible incidentals that I may encounter outside of the actual lodging and bridal shower activities, none of which I could afford even if I was super close to her, which I was not... AND it did not include the gift, for which there was a registry included.
Up until I got this invitation I had no idea that this kind of thing happened. Maybe I've been living under a rock.
I had no expectations of wedding gifts let alone a bridal shower, but I was overwhelmed by the people closest to us who did extend gifts.
FWIW, we planned our wedding when everyone was already planning on being at the gathering. The only person we urged to come that wasn't going to be there was
@Ron who had a wrecked knee, but he is a close personal friend.
Oh, and the dress code included your favorite ski wear.
. I love the departing by canoe idea. 
