Weddings are one of the most special events in life that people spend their whole lives planning. The couples set a goal for their dream wedding according to their tastes. Some prefer having a lavish nuptial with large headcounts, while others prefer to spend their big day with only loved ones.
Each wedding has its positives and negatives. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of having a small wedding.
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Pros
There are many advantages of having a small wedding. Whether you’re trying to save some money or you have a big idea that you’re not sure how to carry out, going small has a lot of positives that go with it.
Affordability
The most obvious advantage of having a small wedding is the low cost. Micro weddings allow people with a low budget to make their big day special for them.
Small weddings do not always mean saving money. Many couples prefer to keep their big budget and have exactly the wedding they want.
With a lower headcount, you could go a step further with the food and decoration. You can save a little extra to spend more per head. It becomes easier to get your favorite photographer, fancy meal, lavish venues, and anything you value.
Some restaurants charge you per person. When you have to serve quality food to many people, you might end up saving nothing for other things.
More Venue Options
Picking a venue is one of the most challenging decisions during wedding preparations. By keeping your guest list shorter, you will have several options regarding the forum.
You can choose a non-traditional place. Here are just a few examples:
Yacht
Cherishing your special day on the ocean is a perfect idea for those who want to have a small wedding.
A yacht wedding is an exquisite way to offer yourselves and your loved ones an unforgettable experience.
Rooftop
Rooftops are a perfect option to have an intimate and sophisticated wedding. The city skyline makes for the ultimate background to capture photographs.
You can also extend the wedding celebrations for as long as you want.
Beach
Nothing is more romantic than celebrating your big day beside the ocean. Beach weddings make a cost-effective way to arrange your wedding in a dreamy way.
Easier to Organize
Small weddings are always easier to organize. You do not have to work for hours on the invitations and thank you cards. In intimate weddings, you can go to every table and spend quality time with each guest.
Plus, arranging for great food, premium drinks, and cocktails will be a lot easier, and otherwise would be pretty pricy.
With a more significant headcount, it isn’t easy to do seating arrangements and decorations. There are a lot of matters to handle so it might become an overwhelming experience for the bride and groom.
Intimate Atmosphere
As in small weddings, only close people are invited so that an intimate atmosphere can be created. The bride and groom can mingle with each person attending the wedding. Asking guests to participate in wedding games offers a perfect way to make their experience personalized.
There are many ways you can use to customize the event. Here are some of the things you can arrange to make your guests feel special:
- Handwritten Invitations
- Customized Goodie Bags
- Personalized Baskets
- Small Gifts
- Snacks
- Thank You Notes in Advance
- Distribute Flowers with Beautiful Notes
You can miss out on all these things with large nuptials.
Budget for After-Wedding Activities
Some people tend to have a small ceremony so that they can save money for their after-wedding activities.
By spending less on the wedding event, you will have the opportunity to go to your dream honeymoon destination. Plus, you might even save yourself enough money to set up a new living space with your new spouse.
DIY Wedding Projects
Making DIY props for weddings demands time, money, and effort. For small weddings, you will be able to complete your decorative props in no time at all. Plus, they will not cost you as much.
DIY products include:
- Handmade Vases
- Wedding Invitations
- Hair Pieces
- Table Numbers
- Wedding Props
- Goodie Bags
Diversified Drink Selection
With a small number of guests, you can bring variety to your drinks menu. It becomes easier to have an open bar and offer different tequila, wine, and vodka options. Along with these drinks, you will also be able to afford many other alcohol-free drinks:
- Soft Drinks
- Flavored Water
- Mocktails
- Fresh Juices
Destination Weddings Become Easier
Arranging a wedding away from home with a significant headcount is exhausting and cost-prohibitive.
Small weddings make it a lot easier for you to go for a destination wedding. You could easily manage transport rentals and hotels for a small number of people.
Cons
Every wedding, big or small, has its pros and cons. Some of the limitations you might have to face with a small wedding are:
Narrowing Down the Guest List
Many people expect to be invited to your wedding. When you prefer to have a small wedding, you have to stick only to immediate family members and close friends. You are likely to be confronted by your distant relatives after the event.
There might also be a problem if some of the guests can not attend the wedding. At a big wedding, you do not have to face such issues. You can see your neighbors, distant relatives, and old friends. You have the ability to make everyone you love part of your special day.
It is one of the reasons that some people opt for big weddings.
Lack of Atmosphere
With a small wedding, you might miss the crowded dance floor. Guests of different age groups might not be able to create a party vibe on your big day. You might also have to spend a little extra on different games or other entertainment sources to prevent everyone from boredom.
At a grand wedding, you can dance with a large number of people. A large headcount also provides you with a chance to make big memorable photo albums.
Not Suitable for Big Venue
Small weddings are not suitable for larger locations. The bride or groom might have to pass on their favorite venue because it will not provide an intimate feeling because of its size in relation to the guest list.
A Quick Guide to Plan Your Smaller Wedding
Here are some of the guidelines you will want to know before arranging your wedding.
Length of Ceremony
Wedding ceremonies usually last for 20-30 minutes. It is best to narrate your vows, exchange your rings and say the final declaration within these 30 minutes.
Ending your ceremony before 20 minutes might let down your guests. If it goes on for more than thirty minutes, they might lose interest in the observance. Therefore, keeping a check on timing is an essential factor to consider.
Music
Music plays a significant part in your wedding ceremony. Choosing themes according to both of your tastes is a magnificent idea to make each other feel special.
There should be different music themes for distinct phases of the event. For instance, the theme for the bride’s entrance, unity ceremony, and after vows should be distinct.
One more tip to employ while choosing music for the wedding is asking your friend’s choices. Whichever songs they choose, you could compile them and make a playlist.
Seating Arrangements
You can choose any theme or style to make a seating arrangement. One thing to keep in mind is to try to maintain a certain distance between the chairs.
There should be enough space for the guests to walk between tables comfortably. Arrange seats in such a way that everyone will be able to see the new couple.
Lighting
Lighting plays a significant role in your wedding decor. Perfect lighting is important to highlight your venue and enhance the beauty of flowers and centerpieces.
Your photography goals depend upon the lighting you choose for the wedding.
Backdrops
Backdrops have now become trendy. A perfect backdrop makes a magnificent frame for the couple at the time of the ceremony. You can design them in any way according to their taste.
Here are some of the ideas you can use to make a stunning backdrop:
- Hanging Flowers
- DIY Props
- An Antique Door
- Floral Wall
- A Painting
- Decorate a Pergola
Add Your Friends’ Speeches
Asking your friends to speak about you at your wedding will be a great idea to customize your wedding. They can share their views about your marriage. They can also talk about you or the memories they have with you.
Quotes from your favorite movie or your favorite love poem could also be enough to bring a smile to everybody’s face.
Unity Ceremony
After making the vows, couples may elect to have a unity ceremony. It is a beautiful and intimate way to demonstrate your unity. Here are some ways people perform this ceremony:
- Candle lighting
- Binding Hands
- Releasing Wish Lanterns
- Tree Planting
Write a Love Note for Your Husband/Wife
Writing a love note for your new spouse at your wedding is a fantastic idea to express your love for each other. You can read them out loud and express your love for each other in front of everyone.
Bottom Line
Small weddings require a special setup and scheme.
You can expect casual interactions, informal speeches, and an intimate environment. Plus, they are more easily managed and generally more affordable.
Small weddings might have some disadvantages, but they give you the opportunity to spend your day in a more relaxed and effortless way.