Would that Trep's friend's "Modest Aspirations" for making a simcha were more acceptable in the Jewish community

“ . . . if you are filthy rich and make a low-key affair, people quietly applaud your modesty and compliment your priorities behind your back. If you don't have money and make a modest affair out of necessity, your friends all understand... but in the back of their minds... and perhaps in their private conversations at home... they'll make note of what a shame it is that you couldn't afford to do more. “

See here for the rest.