This is why DH and I got married on a Friday night with 30 guests and a budget of $5K

Seriously though, our society places way too much emphasis on the wedding event and not nearly enough on planning a healthy, happy marriage.

Fuji, i'm sorry that you have to go through this. Sounds like your friend needs a little bit of a reality check. It's not about the party, or the gifts, or the food. It's about having your nearest and dearest friends and family there to witness the commitment of 2 people to each other. (I'll get off of my soapbox now...)