If you're on a budget or have a busy schedule, hosting an intimate celebration in a small wedding venue doesn't mean you have to skimp on the details or keep it modest. Listed below are our simple steps on how to plan a small wedding. Check them out!
1- Understand The Small Wedding Concept
A small or micro wedding is... actually small like the name announces. It typically includes 50 people or under. There are also tiny weddings or elopements, with as few as 5 to 10 guests. Elopments are actually the perfect example of a small wedding concept. The ideal size of your wedding depends on your finances and the size of your family and friends.
If the number of your closest family members and friends exceeds 50, you should carefully think about who you want at your wedding. Take all of these into mind before starting to plan your little big day!
The advantages of an small wedding is a long list, but take a look at the ones we've gathered for you:
- Easy to plan.
- Ability to create an intimate atmosphere.
- Option for home ceremonies by booking various wedding vendors.
- Much more customisable
- Less expenses
2- Create Your Small Wedding Seating Plan
The flexibility of your ceremony and reception seating arrangements is one of the major perks of a small, intimate wedding. If you have a small party, you don't have to space guests out at different tables all over the place. It's more inclusive and informal.
You can make your small wedding ceremony more intimate by setting up chairs in a circle. For receptions, a long banquet table seating is the most popular one. It makes your most special day truly magical with all of your close friends and family sitting together in your honour.
You can use a seating chart painted on a shabby chic door or window, frames or chalkboard. Using twine, clothespin, and cards might be a simple but elegant idea, or you can craft a handmade seating chart from wood.
3- Plan Your Wedding Invitations
Not having an extensive guest list comes with many advantages, and having a chance to send elaborate wedding invitations is one of them. You can design handwritten invitations with your partner by using high-end paper, wax seals, and custom watercolour designs. It would make your guests so special !
4- Choose The Small Wedding Decor
If you have fewer guests, you'll have more time to go above and beyond with your wedding decor. Small celebrations are a perfect time for incorporating decorations that don't get done much at larger weddings. Your guests will feel so special with personalized escort cards, place cards, thank-you notes, and individual wedding menu cards. Also, you can use antique china sets and vintage stemware!
Have you seen this year's decoration trends? Check this out: 8 Wedding Decoration Trends That Will Be Huge in 2022!
5- Consider A Fancy Wedding Bar
The bar tends to be the busiest gathering place at weddings, so why not make yours stand out? Throwing a small wedding provides you with a chance to create a custom wedding bar and adding flair to your celebration. You can also surprise your guests with a mobile bar. Finally, you can serve as many types of drinks as you want thanks to the small crowd!
6- Explore Small Wedding Cakes
Who says you need to skip the cake if you're planning an intimate celebration? A small ceremony still deserves a sweet ending, right? You can make just as big of an impression in small cakes in all forms, from small one-tiers to Bundts and single-serving minis. As a matter of fact, your guests may remember these items more than the traditional three- or four-tier wedding cake.
As small weddings are more personalized, you can also choose from many wedding cake alternatives as you can go with a single-tier cake. Cheese wedding cakes, macarons, doughnuts, cake pops, cupcakes, pies, croquembouches – the list goes on!
7- Set The Tone Of The Small Wedding Attire
Small weddings are more informal and laidback, with an effortless atmosphere and cozy ambience. When these characteristics are transferred into a wedding dress, the result is undoubtedly gorgeous.
You might like slip dresses and semi-structured sundresses if you're a modern bride who loves sleek silhouettes. If you're having a small country wedding, a piece of vintage lace is perfect.
If you plan to throw a beach wedding , consider airy and breathable fabric like silk or chiffon. Besides providing extra relief from the heat, a spaghetti-strap style, strapless, or halter-neck can also make you look feminine and sexy.
For winter brides, it’s important to select a dress that suits the season. You can add some warmth with long sleeves and a little bit of extra coverage in layers. You can also put on some outwear like capes and coats should the weather be extra chilly.
Having a winter wedding? Not sure what to wear? We've got you covered: Say Yes To A Winter Wedding With This Guide
8- Plan Your Small Wedding Budget
One of the questions we get asked a lot is: How much does a small wedding cost? It's hard to say since there are a lot of factors involved. The venue is the first one. For instance, a restaurant wedding usually costs lower than a wedding in a 5-star luxury hotel.
The second thing is what you want to do for your wedding. Find a small wedding venue with lodging if you're inviting out-of-town guests. Book a top-notch catering company if the food is the most important thing. Likewise, if you want an elegant wedding, you can hire a wedding decorator.
We recommend going with all-inclusive small wedding packages provided by the venues since they save you from lots of legwork and offer fantastic deals and discounts. These packages usually include everything you could possibly need, from wedding photography to decorations. They are customizable so that you can tailor them to your needs.
You can learn more about how to have an affordable wedding here: How To Find Cheap and Unique Wedding Venues
9-Find Your Perfect Small Wedding Venue
With a small guest list, you can tie the know in any venue you can think of in any part of the world. As you can choose a classical venue like a rooftop bar or a banquet hall, you can also consider unexpected options that wouldn't be able to accommodate a large group of people for an unforgettable experience.
Some unusual places for small weddings might be public landmarks, your favourite hole-in-the-wall restaurant, scenic hilltops, or places that require special transportation. Wine lover? Have a vineyard wedding! Love camping? Maybe you should set up glamping at the venue so everyone can stay together? If you're having a small wedding or reception, the world is your oyster!
Encompassing vast expanses of wilderness, pristine lakes and Canada's most visited natural attractions, the best small wedding venues in Ontario for every type of couple and budget. Restaurants, country clubs, rooftops, ballrooms, mansions – the list goes on!
Not surprisingly, small wedding venues in Toronto are aplenty, considering it's the largest city in Canada and the capital of Ontario. From small park and garden venues to 5-star hotel ballrooms, you can find everything you're looking for in this metropolis!
Small wedding venues in Calgary offers venues out of this world with its beautiful mountain views on the horizon, various national parks, and iconic Peace Bridge. Be it a rustic winery, country farm, or spectacular outdoor restaurant, Calgary has it all!
Rich art, culture, beautiful surroundings and leisure activities make small wedding venues of Edmonton an excellent choice . The city won’t make you disappointed with an abundance of small venues, from art galleries to zoos!
With its rich cultural life, beautiful river, historic buildings and vibrant laneways, it's no wonder that Ottawa offers the best wedding weekend. From art galleries and museums to golf and country clubs, Ottawa's small wedding venues venues are one of a kind!
Vancouver has a well-deserved reputation with its pristine beaches and mountain backdrop as one of the most gorgeous cities to celebrate your wedding. From outdoor venues with beautiful foliage throughout all four seasons to old industrial warehouses, small wedding venues in Vancouver are endless!
The vibrant art scene, old buildings full of history, cute sidewalk cafes, and boutiques are just some of the things that make Montreal a perfect place to have an intimate romantic wedding. Montreal's small wedding venues in every style and budget with amazing deals and discounts!
Now you have all the information you need to have a small intimate wedding! Start searching for your wedding venue among hundreds of options on WeddingHero right now, and get a price quote from vendors in various categories. We wish you a wedding as beautiful as your love!
