What's your preference for a wedding, casual and quiet or formal followed by loud?

BIL is getting married in a couple of months, and it's far away. It brings up a question in my mind, because I really despise going to weddings, especially the types that last forever. It shoots the day.

So, poll is - as a guest, which type of wedding would you rather attend:
1) informal wedding, 4 hours total with wedding and dinner, dress is formal or casual - drinking and party atmosphere somewhat limited due to quieter environment, more conversation-related
2) formal wedding, DJ or band, 8 hours total, dress is formal, louder environment, more partying/consumption

My wedding was middle of the road. We had a church wedding with a small dinner and a dance. It all wrapped up around midnight. It was fairly low key but nothing over the top. August 5, I celebrate 20 years, so everything has worked out quite well for us from that point forward.

My first (practice) wedding was an all out affair over 200 to dinner 475 to the reception blah blah 2 pm to well 3 days later lol.

My real wedding in 2009 was more intimate afternoon , 35 or so to dinner, close family and friends, dance reception and drinks
lots of laughter and good conversations and just an awesome event.

Intimate is best I think :)
Mike

23 years this year still no wedding
just not a believer in the whole religious back ground to it
as the bride a Catholic & I'm an atheist

Of course option # 2,,,,,, :shrug:

As long as there is no shot gun involved, I am good to go. I am the type that shows respect but if you bore me to death I respectfully leave :<0)

Casual.Been 35 yrs,we got married in our backyard,just family and a few friends,Keg of beer,couple cases of wine.
Barbequed Chicken and ribs,simple,cheap.
Went to a friends wedding a couple yrs ago,family was very wealthy,wine tent, cigar tent, hundreds of people all put up in fancy hotels.
Cost was over $250 K. They got divourced 6 mos later.

,,,,so ?? :shrug: tell them it's time for a new wedding,,,,remember Bill, the O.P. said we were attending,,,, not paying for it,,,,let the Party Begin,,,,,Attachment 199213

The ultimate wedding is short and sweet, followed by a well-catered reception and open bar.

I would lean toward #1. We went to key West for our wedding, just a few close family and friends, about thirty total. This worked out because everyone attending would be traveling anyway and it gave us an excuse not to invite the "friends" and family that we did not really want to invite anyway. Small group, laid back yet festive. Best wedding I have ever been to, even if it was my own.