Franklin Dean
A small wedding can be fun! In fact, there are endless benefits to throwing a small wedding. From cost-saving to more venue options, a smaller guest list means you can focus on creating a more personalised, meaningful experience for you and your guests.
With a smaller guest list, you can allocate more of your budget to the details that matter to you. This could mean going all out on decorations, activities, or food and drink. You could even hire a live band or a food truck!
A small wedding also means you can spend more quality time with your loved ones. You won't feel pressure to greet hundreds of guests, and you can skip the formal receiving line. Instead, you can connect and create memories with your favourite people.
Additionally, a smaller wedding means less stress during the planning process. With fewer guests, there are fewer logistics to manage, and you may even have more time to relax and savour your special day.
So, if you're considering a small wedding, remember that it can be just as fun, if not more, than a large celebration. You'll be able to create an intimate, unique, and memorable experience for you and your guests to cherish.
What You'll Learn
More venue options
A small wedding means you can be flexible and creative with your venue choice. You can think outside the box and opt for non-traditional spaces that may not be able to accommodate a large wedding. Here are some unique venue ideas for a small wedding:
- Your favourite restaurant: Choose a spot that holds a special place in your heart and offers a unique ambiance and cuisine for your guests to enjoy.
- Backyard of your house or a family member's property: A cozy and low-maintenance setting that adds a sentimental touch to your big day.
- Airbnb: Renting a beautiful private home can be a cost-efficient option and offers flexibility to move between spaces.
- Small spaces in large venues: Consider overlooked areas within traditional venues, such as a library in a historic estate, courtyards, theatres, or smaller galleries.
- Destination wedding: With a small guest list, you can explore exotic locations without worrying about high travel costs for a large group.
- Neighbourhood restaurant: If you've always dreamed of getting married at your favourite local spot, a small wedding gives you that option!
- Parents' backyard: Make your nuptials extra special by exchanging vows in a place that holds a lot of meaning for you and your family.
- Boutique properties: Take over a small boutique property for an intimate celebration that offers a warm, at-home feel while still allowing for personal touches.
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More budget flexibility
A small wedding can be fun and budget-friendly. Here are some tips for more budget flexibility:
Opt for a backyard wedding
Having your wedding outdoors can be a magical experience. Consider using a large backyard space or a national/state park as your wedding venue. This can save you a lot of money on venue rental fees.
Skip the wedding planner
The average cost of a wedding planner is around $2,000. By planning the wedding yourself, you can save a significant amount of money. Create a checklist with your partner for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, and fill in the blanks by talking to friends and family.
Stick to a small guest list
The cost of a wedding is largely determined by the number of guests. A smaller guest list means lower costs for food, drink, venue fees, and rentals. It also gives you more flexibility to choose an off-peak day or time for your wedding.
Design it yourself
You can save money by designing your own wedding invitations, centrepieces, bouquets, and other decorations. For invitations, consider using online services and sending them digitally to save on printing and postage costs.
Hire a food truck
Instead of a traditional caterer, consider hiring a food truck. Food trucks can offer a fun and unique take on wedding fare, often at a lower cost than traditional catering services.
Serve-yourself open bar
If you want to include alcohol at your wedding, consider setting up a self-serve open bar. Buy drinks in bulk from wholesale clubs like Costco or Sam's Club to get better prices than at liquor stores.
Buy flowers in bulk
Wholesale flowers are a great way to keep your wedding beautiful and cost-effective. Look for bulk or wholesale flower sales in your area to bypass the mark-up charged by florists.
Rent what you need
Renting items such as linens, tents, and tables can be more cost-effective than buying them. However, consider providing your own decor, table runners, and other wedding day decorations to save money.
Wear a recycled wedding dress
Consider buying a second-hand wedding dress to save money and reduce textile waste. You can check local thrift or consignment stores, or see if anyone in your family has a dress they're willing to part with.
Enlist friends and family
Friends and family can be a great resource for saving money. Ask retired relatives to help with centerpiece prep, recruit a talented cousin to do your makeup, or see if a friend who loves to bake can make some wedding cookies or cupcakes.
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More time with loved ones
A small wedding can be a beautiful, intimate event, allowing you to spend more quality time with your loved ones. Here are some advantages of a small wedding when it comes to spending more time with your loved ones:
More Time for Rich Conversations and Meaningful Moments
A smaller guest list means you can truly connect with your favourite people and spend quality time with them. You won't feel pressured to rush from one group to another, ensuring you can fully engage in rich conversations and create meaningful moments with your loved ones.
Less Pressure and More Intimacy
A smaller wedding can reduce the pressure of having hundreds of eyes on you and your partner. This can be especially beneficial if you or your partner identify as introverts who feel easily overwhelmed by large crowds. A smaller guest list allows for a more low-key and intimate atmosphere, making it easier to exchange vows, share your first dance, and enjoy personal moments without the added pressure of a large audience.
More Time for Activities and Adventures
With a smaller wedding, you can opt for a shorter wedding day, freeing up time for activities and adventures. Whether it's a hike, a picnic, or a dance party in the woods, a small wedding gives you the flexibility to incorporate unique experiences that reflect your interests and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
Enhanced Guest Experience
A smaller guest list allows you to curate a memorable guest experience. From personalised welcome bags and handwritten place cards to surprise performances by talented cousins or musical siblings, you can go the extra mile to make your loved ones feel special. Your guests will also have more opportunities to interact and get to know each other, creating new bonds and strengthening existing relationships.
More Time for Self-Care and Relaxation
Planning a small wedding can reduce the logistical complexities and stress often associated with larger weddings. This gives you more time to relax and savour the lead-up to your big day. On the wedding day itself, a smaller guest list allows for more intimate spaces and dynamic seating arrangements, ensuring you and your loved ones can unwind and enjoy quality time together.
A small wedding provides the perfect opportunity to create a warm and intimate atmosphere, fostering deeper connections and memorable experiences with your loved ones. By embracing the benefits of a smaller guest list, you can make your wedding a meaningful and enjoyable celebration for everyone involved.
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Less pressure
A small wedding means less pressure. With fewer guests, you can relax and enjoy your day without the stress of planning a large, traditional wedding. Here are some reasons why a small wedding can reduce pressure:
- Easier to plan: A smaller wedding means fewer logistics and less complexity. You won't have to spend as much time planning, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your wedding.
- More intimate and personal: A small wedding gives you the opportunity to surround yourself with only your closest loved ones. This creates a more intimate and personal atmosphere, making it easier to connect with your guests and share meaningful moments.
- Reduced costs: With a smaller guest list, you'll save money on food, drinks, invitations, transportation, and rentals. This budget flexibility lets you splurge on other aspects of your wedding, such as a dream venue or photographer.
- Venue options: A small wedding opens up a world of venue options. You can think outside the box and choose unique, non-traditional spaces that may not accommodate larger groups. This gives you the freedom to get creative and personalize your wedding.
- Less overwhelming: If you or your partner are introverts, a small wedding can reduce the pressure of being the centre of attention. You can exchange vows and share special moments without feeling overwhelmed by a large crowd.
- Smoother planning: A small wedding is logistically easier to manage, especially if you're planning a destination wedding. With fewer guests, you'll have less to organize in terms of travel, transportation, and accommodations, giving you more time to enjoy your engagement.
- Fewer invite dilemmas: With a small wedding, you can curate your guest list and avoid the pressure of inviting distant relatives, colleagues, or acquaintances. You can focus on inviting only those who are closest to you, creating a supportive and intimate atmosphere on your special day.
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More intimate
Small weddings can be fun and intimate. Here are some reasons why:
More flexibility and creativity
With a small wedding, you can be more flexible and creative with your planning. You can choose to focus on the details and create a day that truly reflects your and your partner's personalities. Whether that's through unique venues, activities, or food, the options are endless. For example, you could hire a food truck, create a lounge area, or set up a photo booth with fun backdrops and props.
More budget flexibility
Small weddings can also give you more budget flexibility. With fewer guests, you'll save on food, drinks, invitations, transportation, and rentals. This means you can splurge on other aspects, such as a dream photographer, an exotic destination, or an extravagant honeymoon.
More meaningful connections
Small weddings allow for more meaningful connections with your guests. You'll have the opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones and avoid the pressure of greeting hundreds of people. Your guests will also have the chance to get to know each other, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere.
Less stress and pressure
Planning a small wedding can be less stressful and pressured. With fewer guests, there are fewer logistics to manage, and you may be able to skip some traditions, resulting in a shorter and more relaxed day. You'll also have less expectation to conform to typical wedding norms and can embrace a more intimate and authentic celebration.
More time to savour
With a small wedding, you'll have more time to savour the moments and create lasting memories. You won't be rushing from one tradition to the next or trying to greet every guest. Instead, you can take your time, connect with your partner, and truly enjoy the experience.
Small weddings offer a unique opportunity to create an intimate, fun, and memorable celebration. By embracing the flexibility and creativity that comes with a smaller guest list, you can design a day that reflects your personalities and values.
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Frequently asked questions
Small weddings can be more budget-friendly, allowing you to splurge on other aspects such as the venue, honeymoon, or photographer. You'll also have more venue options, as you won't be restricted by the size of your guest list. A small wedding can be less overwhelming for introverted couples, giving you more quality time with your guests in a low-key setting. They also tend to be less stressful to plan, with fewer logistics to manage.
Get creative with your venue and seating layout. You can choose a unique, non-traditional space that holds personal significance, such as a restaurant, family home, or even a vintage bookstore. Experiment with alternative seating arrangements like hay bales or rug cushions.
Consider having a personalised cocktail station where guests can create their own concoctions. You can also incorporate interactive food experiences, such as a chef putting on a live demonstration or teaching guests how to make mozzarella balls.
Focus on personalisation. Customise your napkins, place cards, or menus with handwritten touches. Incorporate family heirlooms, such as antique candelabras or vintage china, to add a sentimental touch. You can also include symbolic readings or write your own vows to make the ceremony more special.
With a smaller guest list, you'll have fewer invite dilemmas and less pressure to invite distant relatives or acquaintances. You'll also save time and money on invitations, food, alcohol, transportation, rentals, and decorations. Additionally, a small wedding allows for a smoother planning experience, as there are fewer logistical complexities to manage.
