How to Plan an Unforgettable Small Wedding

That you're thinking about having a little ceremony is cause for celebration! Good luck with your choice. If you plan a modest wedding, you'll save money and have additional time for the honeymoon.

But don't let its modest dimensions mislead you; there are many ways to make this wedding as special as any other. Many couples plan on having an intimate ceremony, and that's perfectly fine. Actually, there are a tonne of benefits to having a smaller wedding that you're probably overlooking.

For instance, you won't have to choose between spending more time with your visitors and attending the after-party because you're too tired. The newlyweds and their relatives will likely experience less stress if they choose for a smaller wedding.

No need to plan for a large number of guests or pay a fortune for the venue, so it's lighter on the wallet, too. Plus, having the same people at each gathering means you can better get to know them.

The thought of organising a small, private wedding ceremony can be overwhelming. But it need not be that way. The trick is to figure out what matters most to each of you. We'll go through the basics of how to organise a fun day and offer some suggestions for getting there.

Understanding each partner's values is the first step in creating a once-in-a-lifetime wedding. What are some of their favourite pastimes? In what ways do they spend time together? In what area do they hope to settle down?

By answering these inquiries, you'll be able to select colours, locations, attire, and more that are sure to please your date. After the big picture is figured out, the planning can get down to the nitty-gritty of things like invitations, flowers, and food.

Is it now time to forego the grandiose wedding you've always imagined and plan the modest celebration you deserve? It's not hard to pull off a memorable intimate wedding. We can assist you with every detail, from selecting a suitable location to selecting the perfect bouquet for the occasion.

There are countless options for throwing a spectacular wedding, but for those who desire a more personal celebration, a smaller ceremony is ideal. Even though there are fewer people attending and less preparation is required, the event will still be just as memorable.

Plus, it won't break the bank as much! Discover everything you might need for the ideal intimate ceremony by reading this essay.

Tips for an Intimate Ceremony

So, you've compiled a short list of invitees. Putting in the extra effort to make the wedding unique and special for the couple is when the fun begins.

It's a prevalent misconception that weddings have to be huge celebrations when in fact many couples choose for more intimate ceremonies. They're all the rage now because, in light of the recent coronavirus outbreak, limiting the number of invited guests is one approach to ensure everyone's health.

Couples today are increasingly opting for smaller, more intimate weddings because of the financial and environmental benefits they provide. Therefore, if you are planning a little celebration, we have included some of our favourite simple wedding concepts and planning hints to help you get started.

Customize the Wedding Paper Goods

Use the fact that you'll only be sending out fifty or fewer invitations and save-the-date cards to your advantage by designing a truly unique and exclusive stationery set. Save-the-dates featuring illustrations of you and your future spouse, the wedding location, or even your home may be purchased on Etsy.

Make sure the colours, phrasing, and designs of your invites reflect who you really are. (Spoiler alert: The Knot Invitations lets you edit the wording to make it seem like you're sending out the invites yourself.)

Pick a Significant Location

When the number of guests at your wedding is small, the location selections become more manageable. The conventional church isn't the only option for your little wedding ceremony. Make reservations at your favourite watering hole or plan a wedding in a gorgeous glasshouse.

Host your get-together in the backyard you played in as a kid, your favourite art gallery, or a secluded seaside cove. The possibilities are vast, but you can narrow them down by giving some thought to your current status in your relationship. Think of the restaurant where you first had a romantic meal or the bar where you exchanged your vows.

Leave the Ceremonial Behind

Do your wedding ceremony in City Hall and celebrate with a huge party. You can still have a nice City Hall ceremony with a photographer and formal attire, and then utilise the money you save to splurge on better reception food, entertainment, and flower arrangements.

Know that you might have to schedule two different appointments if you want to get married at City Hall: one for the ceremony itself, and another for the marriage licence itself. Your immediate plans may need to change if your wedding is scheduled for a weekday morning, which is typical for ceremonies held in a courthouse.

Make the Event Interactive for the Attendees

In most cases, only those particularly close to the bride and groom (parents, siblings, and close friends) are invited to the wedding. On the other hand, if you're only inviting a few close friends and family members to the ceremony, you can have more people participate.

You can have everybody stand and surround you as you exchange vows, seat them all at one long table during the reception, or even have them attend the rehearsals dinner if the guest list is large enough.

Make the Reception Very Casual

Rent your preferred food truck (or two!) instead of a caterer; have a potluck and have guests bring their favourite dishes to share; or forego the reception altogether and host a simple gathering at a bar or eatery.

Have a "open mic night" when people can drop in and speak what's on their mind, whether or not you're hosting a reception. Start interacting with one another by playing lawn or board games.

Provide Venues for People to Meet and Mingle

Take a picture of the event and try to fit as many people as possible into it. This is obviously impossible if there are more than a few of you. And just for laughs, take a quick survey at the reception and see what advice the guests have for a wonderful first year of marriage.

A fire pit or lounge area can be set up elsewhere for guests to congregate around throughout the wedding celebrations. Choose an out-of-the-ordinary "guest book" for guests to sign by having them record a video message on a tablet or old smartphone, having them sign a Jenga block, floating a few Polaroid cameras for guests to shoot photos as they choose, or having them sign a huge globe or map.

Use the Wedding Menu to Share Your Love Story

You can serve more people with fewer dishes, so create a menu that celebrates your love. Incorporate dishes that reflect your favourite restaurant for a romantic dinner, treasured family recipes, or the locale of your wedding.

Alternatively, you may make a menu that just includes the dishes that you particularly enjoy eating. If you're a foodie at heart, have a few food trucks serve as options for your visitors.

Or, if you're more of a homebody, whip up a batch of your go-to pasta or pizza and impress your guests. It's a nice touch that might help your guests feel like they're a part of your love story.

Always Keep a Full Bar

Start things off with a signature drink before the ceremony begins. Reportedly popular at weddings around the country are specialised ices, sweet peas and spices, and hard seltzers. For a more personalised event, ask the venue about stocking the bar.

Keep in mind that not everyone drinks alcohol; therefore, it may be a good idea to provide non-alcoholic alternatives, from sodas and flavoured fizzy water to virgin variants of your classic cocktails.

Think About the Little Things

Tables place cards, thank you letters, and party favours are all examples of small details that may greatly improve the hospitality industry. It is suggested doing things like using the family silverware or china for the table settings or giving out personalised cards to each guest. She suggests putting one at each place setting to explain to guests how much you appreciate their presence and express your gratitude.

With a reduced guest list, you'll also have more leeway when choosing wedding favours. Now you don't have to worry about finding cheap wedding favours and can instead indulge on something special. Think about giving them a set of shot glasses made from Himalayan pink salt or a bag of your family's famous chocolate chip cookies.

Try New Forms of Amusement

Look into the music programme at the nearby college or university to see if any of the students would be interested in performing at your wedding.

The same goes for live musicians you may have heard at a local bar or restaurant; if they perform weddings, you can always ask for their contact information.

Entertainment alternatives beyond musical acts include a fortune card or palm reader, a suggestion box for date night activities, or a silent disco.

Think about the After-Party

Throw a late-night get-together at your local watering hole, or hit up your go-to late-night eatery for a bowl of ramen, a plate of tacos, a slice of pizza, or a burger.

If you're having a small wedding reception, it's still polite to contact ahead and let the caterer know you're coming so they can prepare a private area for you.

Aim for Non-Busy Times

Get married on a weekday if at all possible, as this is typically when services providers are less busy and so more willing to negotiate prices.

Wedding venues, the photographer you have your heart set on, the band you have bookmarked, and even honeymoon packages may all be cheaper if you book during this time.

Offer Your Guests a Whole Wedding Weekend To Celebrate With You

If you're planning a small wedding with just a few close family and friends, you might find yourself with some extra time and money to enjoy the rest of the weekend in different ways.

Plan a group outing, like a walk or bike ride, or have a welcome party at your favourite brewery. You could even host a picnic the morning following your party in a nearby park. Send out a heartfelt "thank you" to each and every one of your attendees right now.

Guests of a wedding held during the current coronavirus pandemic should be provided with information about nearby outdoor activities or given recommendations for independent exploration.

Venue Ideas for Small Weddings

Consider Alternative Settings

Possessing a location adequately proportioned to the expected number of guests is essential. It's going to be difficult to set the mood in a room that's too big, and you'll be rattling around all over the place if it's too little.

Even though you might opt for a more private space within a larger venue, it is more effective to select a location that is proportional to the number of guests.

You can see what we mean by looking at our list of the finest tiny wedding venues, which includes everything from modest barns and treehouses to quaint hotels and rustic manors.

With a number less than 60, you have more room for imagination and exploration; consider some of your favourite museums and libraries to see if there is a particularly inspiring exhibit that you haven't yet seen. How about a beachside tent, a boat, a bandstand, or a garden shed?

Did the two of you meet in a charming coffee shop, cinema, or college bar? If so, you can hold your wedding there and avoid the cliched setting typically associated with weddings. As an alternative, have the wedding where you first met, or at least make a reference to your first meeting.

The Key to Making a Huge Room Feel Cozy

Don't freak out if you are infatuated with a place that can seat 200 people; there are numerous ways to make it feel more intimate.

• Drapes can be used to visually lower the ceiling or to visually divide a space. The fabric will absorb the sound in the empty room, reducing the echo and giving the impression that the space is smaller than it actually is.
• Add drama, texture, and colour to your area while simultaneously making the room appear smaller by suspending large flower displays or candle holders from the ceiling.
• Candlelight and lantern light provide a more intimate and romantic atmosphere than harsh overhead lights.
• Put something interesting in the middle of the room that everyone will be drawn to, whether it's a sweetheart table, a dancing floor, or a tree.
• Trees planted at intervals around the room's circumference serve as a dramatic focal point and add a charming, natural touch.
• Try rearranging the furniture in the room to create a new dynamic for your event. For example, placing two long banquet tables in a cross formation in the centre of the room will keep the action confined to that area, encourage better conversation than at round tables, and serve as a form of frame around the party in the centre of the room.
• Make use of a divider (or no divider at all) to split the space in two: one section may be used for dining and dancing, while the other can serve as a cozy atmosphere for guests to relax and mingle in various sofas and chairs.
• Use tall centrepieces and large flowers (or masses of foliage if you need to cut costs) to fill the area vertically and horizontally.

The Best Way to Get There Is on a Fun Mode of Transportation

Fewer guests means more money to lavishly indulge each one. To get things started, hire a VW camper van, tuk tuks, golf carts, a canal boat, a classic school bus, or traditional black cabs to transport your attendees to and from the site and the reception.

Think About a Wedding at the Registry Office

Affordable and architecturally interesting small ceremony rooms can be found at many registrar offices or town halls.   Don't automatically write off a wedding at the registrar office; your local marriage certificate may surprise you.

It's possible to have a large wedding reception in the future, so even if you have a short ceremony at the registry office today, you can still plan a big one in the future. For the second ceremony, you may have a celebrant lead the service and have a more casual atmosphere and larger reception.

Pick Between a Brunch and a Sunset Wedding

The normal flow of events may be flipped on its head if you have a wedding at a venue that is completely flexible. Instead of having a reception at 2:00 in the afternoon, why not have a service at 10:00 in the morning, followed by a large brunch?

Or how about a sunset wedding followed by a Western late meal and dancing? You can really let your creative juices flow during a small wedding.

Select a Faraway Locale For The Ceremony.

Remember, we told you to "think outside the box," so why stop there? To elope with only close relatives and friends, a cruise ship is the ideal venue .

The lower cost of a destination wedding compared to a traditional ceremony in the United Kingdom means that you can treat your guests to more fun and memorable experiences, as well as provide them with more comfortable lodging and meals. Plus, you get to start your honeymoon in a dream location.

A huge villa or a modest hotel could be rented in a beautiful area of Spain, France, or Greece. You may also have a modest wedding in paradise by travelling to a remote island in the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean and being married there.

 Spend Time in Nature.

Nothing may make you feel more at home than being surrounded by the splendour of nature, whether it be in your own backyard, a wooded area, a secret garden, or a seaside campground.

Have a casual, enjoyable, and nature-inspired wedding by stringing lights around trees, making an arch out of twigs and blossoms, using hay bales or patio furniture for seating, and playing games like croquet.

Experiment with the Hallway

If you don't have a large number of guests, they don't necessarily need to form a line behind the two of you. A few alternatives for aisles and ways to navigate them are listed below.

• Everyone at the party can see everything you're doing by standing or sitting in a circle or semicircle all around two of you.
• The wedding photos will be breathtaking if the guests sit in a spiral and the couple walks to the centre to exchange vows.
• You could put your audience around a stage in a "in the round" configuration, with only you in the centre.
• Guide the guests into the wedding area. Start by mingling with them, and then lead them into the ceremony venue, with the couple in the lead.
• Wooden chairs, hay bales, large sofas and covers on the floor, and a few quirky sofas and armchairs are great alternatives to conventional seats for a wedding ceremony or reception held outdoors.
• Another option is to forego seating entirely if the ceremony will be brief; however, you should still consider providing an alternative for any elderly guests who may be there.
• As you make your way down the aisle, have each visitor hold out a long-stemmed flower for you to take. You can have your bouquet waiting for you at the peak.

Décor Ideas

Incorporate Treasured Artifacts from the Family

Your small wedding will feel even more intimate if you incorporate some of your family's history into the festivities.

Prepare your wedding meal on your relatives' wedding china or use tablecloths from their reception to decorate your reception hall.

Wrap a vintage brooch, bracelet, or a rosary around your wedding arrangement for a touch of history and sentiment.

Always Keep Tissues Nearby

The release of happy tears at a wedding is a beautiful demonstration of the depth of your feelings. Be prepared for your guests to shed a few tears thanks to the sentimental atmosphere of your tiny wedding by providing them with personalised tissues or placing a quirky box of delicate hankies at the back of the ceremony space.

Create a Central Location For all of Your Outdoor Gear.

Set up a modest station with everything your guests might require if you decide to have an outside wedding (which we adore for intimate weddings). Put sunblock, hand wipes, sanitizer, heel protectors, and bug spray in an antique, rustic dresser.

 Be Imaginative With The Location And Seating Options.

Pick a unique location in your area, such as a museum, brewery, or hidden garden, or host the event at your own home for a more intimate celebration.

A historical library, a converted structure (like an old aeroplane hangar or warehouse), or a city, state, or national park could also provide for a fascinating setting for your event, but you should be aware of any licences you'll need and any rules that may limit your decorating options.

You may also be creative with the seating arrangement, trying out things like pouffes, picnic blankets, alternating chairs and pews, or even arranging the chairs in a spiral.

 Make It Your Own in Every Way

Customize your home to the extreme: Plan on using them for everything from place cards and gift bags to table centrepieces.

Start by looking around on websites like Uncommon Goods, Minted, and Etsy for one-of-a-kind gifts like wood-etched city maps, wine bottle vases, and stationery designed by creative types.

Instead of receiving generic wedding gifts, consider asking friends and family to pitch in with services such as photography, baking (hello, homemade wedding cake or cupcake tower!), music, and design.

Calm Down the Welcome

Relax guests with a pretzel wall, a milk and cookie tray, or a herbal tea cart at the reception. Or, to end the night on a reflective and upbeat note, have everyone participate in a group breathing or mindfulness practise, or have a gratitude sharing circle.