Planning An Intimate Wedding: A Guide For 30 Guests

Planning a wedding for 30 guests can be a challenge, especially if you're working to a tight timeline. It's important to establish a budget and decide on the type of event you want to host, whether that's a ceremony and cake reception, a buffet or a sit-down dinner. You'll also need to consider the date and time of your wedding, as this will impact the cost and availability of venues and vendors. If you're planning a city hall wedding, bear in mind that most government buildings are only open during the week, so you and your guests may need to take time off work. To save money, consider a morning wedding with a cheaper breakfast menu instead of a full dinner.

Budgeting

Next, make a list of 'must-haves' and 'nice-to-haves'. You could cut back on flowers and printed materials, such as invitations, and opt for digital alternatives instead.

If you're planning your wedding in a short space of time (30 days or less), you might not have time for certain traditions, such as a wedding party or a bachelor/bachelorette party. You will also have to keep your guest list small, and you might not be able to send out formal save-the-dates or invitations.

If you're getting married in a city hall, you and your guests will likely have to take the day off work and get married on a weekday. This can be a good thing, as most venues and vendors are booked up at weekends.

Finally, Fridays are often cheaper than Saturdays, and the season will also affect the price.

Choosing a date

When selecting a date, consider the day of the week. Fridays are often cheaper than Saturdays, and weekdays may be more convenient if you're planning a city hall wedding as most government buildings are only open during the week. The season will also impact the price, with summer and autumn weddings typically being more expensive.

It's a good idea to choose several dates that would work for you and your partner. This will give you some flexibility when reaching out to venues and vendors. Keep in mind that planning a wedding in a short amount of time may mean sacrificing certain traditions, such as having a wedding party or sending out formal save-the-dates.

Establishing a budget and deciding on the type of event you want will also help guide your date selection. For example, if you're hoping for an outdoor wedding, you'll want to choose a date with favourable weather. If you're planning a morning wedding, you might want to avoid dates that conflict with your guests' typical weekend routines, like a Saturday morning when they might prefer to sleep in.

Venue and vendors

When it comes to venue and vendors, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the type of wedding you want – do you want a city hall wedding or a more traditional venue? If you're planning a city hall wedding, bear in mind that most government buildings are only open during the week, so you and your guests will likely have to take the day off work. However, this can work in your favour as most venues and vendors are booked up at the weekend, so you'll have more choice for a weekday wedding.

If you're planning a more traditional wedding, you'll need to decide on the type of events you want to include. Do you want a sit-down dinner or a buffet? Will there be a ceremony and cake reception, or something else? It's a good idea to make a list of must-haves and another list of things that would be nice to have, so you can prioritise your budget.

When choosing a venue, consider the day of the week and time of day you want to get married. Fridays are often cheaper than Saturdays, and a morning wedding with a breakfast reception will be more affordable than a full dinner. Look for venues that have a wedding officiant included in-house, as this can save you money.

Keep in mind that planning a wedding for 30 guests is just as much work as planning a larger wedding, and it can be difficult to get deals for a small guest list. However, with careful planning and budgeting, you can still have a beautiful and memorable wedding.

Food and drink

When it comes to food and drink, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you could opt for a self-catered wedding, where you plan and prepare the food yourself. This can be more budget-friendly, as you can purchase items in small amounts over time rather than making one large purchase. It also allows you to have more control over the menu and ensure there are adequate amounts of each type of food. If you go down this route, it's important to plan early and take advantage of sales. You can also ask guests to bring side dishes and drinks to supplement the entree you provide.

Another option is to hire a caterer. This will likely be more expensive, but it takes the stress out of planning and preparing the food yourself. When hiring a caterer, be sure to communicate your budget and guest count upfront so they can create a menu that fits your needs.

Regardless of whether you self-cater or hire a caterer, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to have a variety of options to accommodate different dietary restrictions and preferences. Consider offering a mix of appetizers, entrees, and sides, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

For drinks, most guests will likely prefer beer and wine, so plan to have a variety of options available. You can also offer non-alcoholic options like sparkling apple or grape juice for non-drinkers and children. If you're looking to save money, consider having a morning wedding and serving eggs and bacon instead of a full dinner.

Finally, don't forget to estimate food quantities accurately. As a rule of thumb, a 4oz portion per guest is a safe bet for sides, and you can estimate two rolls per person. It's always better to have a bit extra than to run out, so consider adding a buffer to your estimates.

Invitations

Planning a wedding for 30 guests is a lot of work, but there are ways to make the process easier. When it comes to invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider your budget. Printed invitations can be costly, so you may want to opt for digital invitations instead. This can help you save money, especially if you're planning a frugal wedding.

If you do decide to go with printed invitations, look for ways to cut costs. You can design and print them yourself, or use online templates. Keep in mind that the more intricate the design, the higher the cost. Also, consider the timing of your invitations. If you're planning a wedding in 30 days or less, you may not have time to send out formal save-the-dates or invitations. In this case, you can opt for digital invitations or even a simple phone call to your guests.

When creating your invitations, include all the necessary information such as the date, time, and location of the wedding. You may also want to include accommodation options for guests who are travelling. If you're having a themed wedding, you can incorporate this into your invitations to give guests a sneak peek of what to expect.

Finally, don't forget to proofread your invitations before sending them out. Double-check the spelling of names and addresses, and make sure all the information is accurate. It's also a good idea to have someone else review the invitations to catch any potential mistakes.

Frequently asked questions