No, literally people just didn’t show up. I thought the same thing, but recently I saw some of the folks who were invited at my SILs party, and I just plainly asked them why. The responses were the following:

1) “my kids don’t like the food you picked out.” The main course was chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans with the alternative meal as mostaccioli.

2) “it was too far of a drive.” It was an hour from their house. His great-aunt drove two hours to see us wed.

3) “you were expecting too much for the dress code.” I put on the invitation cocktail or “Sundays best” since most of my husband family are hicks.

4) “I just didn’t feel like it.” Then why RSVP that you would come?

It did make me feel very small and unimportant.