If you're feeling not quite the thing perhaps you are misreading how the speech was received? Because the report in the Prophet was quite approving, I assure you!

Penny, I'm so very sorry I couldn't be there to be with you. Of course it's reasonable to feel blue when you're at an event when most people are paired up, aside from yourself.

I haven't heard any word from Ned, so I don't know, but it's certainly possible to attend a wedding and stay as far away as possible from the bride and groom, citing the crush of people as an excuse.