Are you one of the many recently engaged couples wondering, “Should I have a small wedding?” Small weddings gained popularity in 2020 when COVID regulations prevented large gatherings. However, there are many wonderful things about these intimate celebrations that small weddings are still a top choice for many couples. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to go small, consider the four main reasons some couples choose small weddings.
What is a Small Wedding?
A small wedding is a stunning celebration on a smaller scale. One of the most common misconceptions is that small weddings are “less-than” traditional ones. But that’s not the case. What makes a ceremony “small” is the size of the guest list. Typically, small weddings consist of no more than 50 guests. However, you still have all the traditional elements of a ceremony and reception, just on a smaller scale. One of the best parts of having a small wedding is that fewer guests mean more flexibility when it comes to your wedding venue, style, and day.
4 Reasons to Have a Small Wedding
If you’re considering having a small wedding, chances are you’re trying to weigh the pros and cons of doing so. Here are four reasons couples choose these types of weddings to help you answer the question, “Should I have a small wedding?”
1. Small Weddings Don’t Include Everyone You Know
Selecting your wedding guest list can be one of the most stressful parts of wedding planning. Do you invite everyone you know and have a 300-guest wedding? Where do you draw the line on including “Plus-One” on invitations? Will your great aunt’s second cousin be offended if she isn’t invited? The list goes on. Fortunately, a small wedding guest list is much easier to develop. Since a small wedding includes no more than 50 guests, there’s only room for your closest friends and family.
2. Small Weddings are Budget-Friendly
Although even small weddings can have hefty price tags, generally, they’re more affordable. Simply put, buying dinner for 50 guests is way less expensive than buying dinner for 250 guests. Additionally, having fewer guests frees up space in your wedding budget to customize certain elements and go above and beyond in other areas.
3. Small Weddings Provide More Time for Connection
Say you have a large ceremony with 200 guests, and your reception is scheduled to last five hours. That means you have approximately 1.5 minutes to greet each guest. But with all the other festivities happening–cutting the cake, toasting, dancing, taking wedding photos–your time is even less. Most couples don’t even come close to personally greeting each guest at a large wedding. With a smaller wedding, that’s far from the case. Small weddings provide more time to spend with friends and family celebrating with you.
4. Small Weddings are Still Stunning Celebrations
As I mentioned before, having a small wedding doesn’t mean your celebration is any less beautiful, intentional, or personalized. In fact, a small wedding provides more opportunities to customize your event. At Park Avenue Events, we approach planning a small wedding with the same care and attention to detail as any wedding. Regardless of how many guests you invite, your wedding should look and feel exactly as you’ve always envisioned.
Is it Rude to Have a Small Wedding?
When couples are deciding “Should I have a small wedding?” one question that comes up is whether or not it is rude to limit your guest list. The answer is no–it’s not rude at all. Your wedding day should be all about you, and it should be exactly what you want. Planning a large wedding to appease other people will likely cause you more stress and less enjoyment. One of the ways couples work around feeling bad about having a small wedding is by having a large reception at a later date where everyone is invited. However, you aren’t obligated to do that either if it doesn’t sound fun or reasonable to you. The most important part of your wedding is that it’s exactly what you want.
Are Small, Intimate Weddings Better?
Interestingly, the four reasons couples choose small weddings are the same four reasons other couples choose larger weddings. If you want to invite everyone, have a large budget, and aren’t concerned about less one-on-one time, then you should definitely go with a big celebration. The best part is there is no right or wrong answer. No wedding size is better than another. It’s all about what you want for your special day.
Whatever you choose, Park Avenue Events can help you plan it! As a mentor with Small Wedding Society, I have extensive experience and knowledge about what it takes to plan exceptional small weddings. But no matter your vision, Park Avenue Events can bring it to life. Contact us today to learn more about our wedding planning services.