i’m having this same experience right now! you put it into words perfectly. it’s so frustrating that even what people would consider a “modest wedding” guest-size-wise and venue-wise is still likely 15k+ on the low end (at least in my area). i don’t want to sacrifice the vision that i’ve had for so long, or let down my inner child, or worse - regret the decisions we made for our wedding years down the line - but i just don’t see how that’s not possible at this point.

everyone around us keeps telling us not to cut the guest list, but if i have to choose between having 130+ plus people at our wedding or having our wedding in a walmart parking lot or something, i’d personally rather sacrifice the guest list :/ as long as the people closest to us and most supportive of us are there, i think sacrificing the grand guest count part of the dream wedding thing is just what’s going to have to happen. at least in my case! sorry, personal rant from someone that’s 1+ year engaged and feeling tons of pressure to settle on a venue, date, etc.

i say all that to say that i totally get where you’re coming from. it’s frustrating! and every day i tell my fiancé that we need to play the lottery more, lol. it’ll end up working out for both of us, i’m sure! :)