Due to the tough economy, many couples are choosing to have small but intimate weddings instead of the usual big weddings, to which everyone is invited. Trimming your guest list will help you save money, but more importantly, it will give you a chance to splurge on something special that you might not have otherwise. If you and your finances have decided that a cozy and intimate wedding is for you, read on, we have everything you need to know to plan a small but exceptional wedding.
Even though your guest list may be smaller, keep in mind that the guests you invite will feel very special when they receive an invitation. This gives you the opportunity to go the extra mile for the attendees, whereas with a large wedding you might not. For example, instead of giving them some chocolate truffles, consider giving each of them their own box of candy. Or perhaps offer everyone a champagne toast; With a small wedding the ideas are endless.
Many couples mistakenly believe that because the wedding is smaller, the planning will be easier. Unfortunately, this is not the case at all. We’ll be the first to warn you that when you’re planning a small wedding it’s important to pay attention to every detail. Nothing can be hidden in a huge crowd of 180 people, every detail will be noticed in a small wedding. We suggest biting the bullet and hiring a wedding planner. This will make everything easier in the end.
It’s even more important at smaller weddings to keep the excitement alive. Receptions usually go one of two ways: first, fewer people make it easier for everyone to get up and dance or two, fewer people will mean absolutely no one gets up and dance. Make it a priority to hire a DJ or band that will keep your guests on their toes all night long.
Sometimes when the bride and groom plan a small wedding, it’s usually because they want a destination ceremony. Choosing to do this for your nuptials can cut the number of guests, sometimes even in half! But keep in mind that those who come are probably going to make a vacation out of the stay. So choose a place that has several sites and activities. Here are some suggestions: Hawaii, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Paris, Italy, Mexico, or Cabo San Lucas. It’s also a good idea to work with a local hotel to offer discounted hotel rates for your wedding attendees.
There are several wonderful reasons why couples should have a small wedding, but one of the best is the intimacy that is created. Sometimes people can get carried away with wedding planning and make it more focused on the show, while forgetting what is most important: it is about the love between two people. So don’t worry about how big the guest list is, you’re going to have a beautiful wedding no matter what.