Planning weddings can be so tricky, especially when it comes to balancing expectations and guest lists. I remember when my sister was getting married, and we were planning her bachelorette party. We decided on a low-key weekend getaway with just close friends, similar to what you're planning.
But then, out of the blue, a distant relative asked if she could join in on the fun. It was definitely awkward trying to explain why we wanted to keep it intimate. In the end, we stuck to our original plan, and it turned out to be such a special time for the bride and her closest pals.
You definitely weren't wrong to politely decline your SIL's request. It's important to honor the bride's preferences and keep the celebration true to her style. And hey, who knows, maybe one day you'll look back on this and laugh about the unexpected twist in the planning process.