If you're family, you're probably part of the wedding party or helping out anyways. I will tell you, for a ceremony at 1 pm, I had to be up for hair and makeup at 6 am. Hair and makeup for the bridal party and mother of the bride took 3-4 hours. Then, we had to get dressed and then, pose for picture and the videographer. Father of the bride comes by to pick up things that need to be dropped off at the venue ahead of time.

So, yeah, if you're part of the immediate family (and OP mentioned these were the people complaining) you're definitely going to have to take the day off.

Also, ideally, YOU only get married once. Some people, especially in their late 20s, early 30s, get invited to and are a part of a heck of a lot of weddings. I had a friend who went to 9 in a year. Weekday weddings are going to be at the bottom of the totem pole in wanting to attend because of the day off.

Also, some people take the day off and it's no big deal. For others, not working that day or two days is losing out on the opportunity of two days pay. On top of that, you have to get s gift. So it's like you're paying TWICE to attend this wedding. So, no, taking a day off is not NOTHING. Especially when your calendar has been riddled with bridal showers, bachelorettes, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, dress shopping and fittings, helping with favours and invitations.....

People KNOW why a couple throws a weekday wedding. MONEY. There's rarely any other reason for a couple to do a weekday wedding. So yeah, it's off-putting when you're invited to a weekday wedding for that reason.