Planning A Tiny Wedding: Tips For An Intimate Celebration

Planning a wedding is stressful, and small weddings come with their own unique challenges. If you're planning a tiny wedding, you'll need to consider the venue, the vibe, and the activities you want to include. You might also want to join a Facebook group for support and inspiration.

Choosing a venue

When it comes to choosing a venue for your tiny wedding, you have a lot of freedom. You can choose a place that is special to you and your partner, such as a local ski resort if you both enjoy mountain biking, or the inn where your family vacations every year. You could even have the wedding in your own backyard.

If you opt for a venue that regularly hosts weddings, such as a country inn, a lot of the details will already be taken care of. The food, tables and chairs will be provided, and you may even be able to take advantage of wedding packages that include things like flowers and entertainment.

However, if you choose a more unusual venue, you will have to plan and account for a lot more details yourself. For example, if you decide to have your wedding in your backyard, you will need to think about things like catering, furniture, and decorations.

When choosing a venue, it's also important to consider the activities you want to include on your wedding day. If you want to include a particular activity, such as mountain biking, you'll need to choose a venue that can accommodate that.

Ultimately, the venue you choose should reflect the vibe you want for your wedding day. Whether you opt for a traditional wedding venue or something more unique, make sure it's a place that feels special to you and your partner.

Guest list

The guest list is a very important part of planning a tiny wedding. Small weddings are generally considered to be those with 50 or fewer guests, although some sources suggest that a small wedding can have up to 75 guests.

When deciding on your guest list, it is important to consider the mood and feeling you want to set for the day. If you want to create a sense of intimacy and connection, it is important to ensure that you have enough time scheduled to talk to everyone.

Start with a list of your immediate family members and closest friends who you absolutely want to include. This might include your parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces and nephews, and their significant others. You should also consider including a handful of your best friends. Once you know the number of "must-haves", you can decide how many more people to add to the guest list.

It is important to keep in mind that you don't have to invite anyone you don't feel close to. If you are worried about offending people who don't make the cut, take steps to reassure them that they are still loved and valued, and remind them that there will be other opportunities to celebrate with you in the future.

Activities

Planning a small wedding can be a great opportunity to create a unique experience for you and your guests. With a small wedding, you have more freedom to choose a venue that reflects your interests and passions. For example, one couple hosted their small wedding at a local ski resort so that they could enjoy mountain biking on their wedding day. You could also choose a venue that is special to you and your partner, such as a place you visit often or your own backyard.

When it comes to activities, the small size of your wedding gives you the flexibility to set the events and schedule for the day. Consider what activities you want to include and how they reflect your interests and personalities. If you're planning a backyard wedding, keep in mind that you'll need to plan and account for more details, such as tables and chairs. On the other hand, choosing a venue like a country inn may already include these essentials.

To help with planning, consider joining a Facebook group specifically for small weddings. These groups can offer inspiration, vendor recommendations, and support from others who are also planning intimate weddings. By connecting with others, you can gain insights into unique activity ideas that will make your wedding day memorable.

Remember, the key to planning a small wedding is to embrace the freedom it offers. You have the opportunity to create a day that truly reflects who you are as a couple, so don't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box!

Food and drink

Planning the food and drink for a small wedding can be a lot of fun, and there are many options to choose from.

First, you should decide whether you want to have the food catered or prepared by family members. If you're going to have family prepare the food, be sure to plan this well in advance so that they can be prepared. Chicken is usually the most inexpensive option, but you could also consider fish. You can add a salad, a starch (potato, pasta, rice, etc.), mixed veggies, and a roll. If you have a small guest list, you can get a little fancier with the food, depending on your budget.

You could also consider having a buffet-style meal or serving single plates. If you're serving alcohol, it's a good idea to have wine and beer available, and if your budget allows, you could even have a full bar. It's also important to have non-alcoholic drinks available, such as soda, juice, and water.

Some simple food options that are easy to prepare and serve include pigs in a blanket (small sausages wrapped in biscuits and baked) and a fruit platter with grapes and strawberries and fruit and chocolate dip.

Dealing with stress

Planning a wedding is stressful, no matter the size, but tiny weddings come with their own unique challenges. One of the biggest sources of stress is the sense of guilt that couples planning big weddings don't experience. This is likely due to the pressure of wanting to create a unique and intimate experience for your guests.

To help manage this stress, it's important to remember that a small guest list gives you more freedom to set the events and schedule for the day. You can create a truly different wedding day experience by choosing a venue that is special to you and your partner. For example, you could host your wedding at a local ski resort if you both love mountain biking, or choose the inn where your family vacations every year.

Another way to deal with the stress of planning a tiny wedding is to join a support group or online community specifically for small weddings. These groups can offer inspiration, vendor recommendations, and emotional support during the planning process.

Additionally, it's important to consider the logistics of your venue. Planning a wedding in your backyard may sound appealing, but it requires a lot of extra planning and attention to detail. Choosing a venue that includes tables, chairs, and food can help reduce some of the stress associated with planning a tiny wedding.

Finally, remember to focus on the vibe you want for your day. Think about the activities you want to include and how they reflect your shared passions and interests. This will help you create a wedding day that feels authentic and meaningful, no matter the size.

Frequently asked questions