“Small” can be a relative term when discussing wedding size. One couple might consider 80 guests to be a small wedding. Another bride and groom might go as small as possible – just the two of them, a justice of the peace, and a witness. And, of course, many weddings fall somewhere in between.



The reasons for a small wedding are as variable as the people who have them. Finances are certainly a major reason to keep the guest list down. It is certainly going to be much less expensive to feed 50 people than 150 people. A smaller guest list also allows the couple to rent a smaller venue, which cuts the costs of flowers and decorations as well.

Other couples prefer to spend a good sized budget on an intimate wedding so that they can afford to make all of the details very luxurious. The bride and groom might decide that they would rather serve caviar and French Champagne to 40 of their dearest friends than rubber chicken in a banquet hall packed with guests. Fewer guests also means that you can serve more customized dishes that would be impractical to feed to a large crowd.

Wanting only very close friends and immediate family in attendance is also a good reason to keep your wedding small. There is something to be said for having only those that you know very well there to witness a very special milestone. Perhaps the day will be more meaningful if you are surrounded by loved ones, and not a sea of virtual strangers that your parents insisted on inviting.

For every diva bride, there is a shy bride who does not crave the spotlight. If the thought of being the center of all that attention makes you cringe, an intimate wedding may be perfect for you. The smallest wedding that I ever attended had 30 guests. The ceremony was conducted in the bride's parents' house in front of the fireplace. The house was beautifully decorated with flickering candles and gardenias floating in water. The bride came down the stairs into the living room, and a j.p. held a brief service while the guests sipped Champagne. Then everyone went to a private dining room in a nearby country club for an elegant dinner. It felt more like a very elegant dinner party than a traditional reception (for instance, there was background music, but no dancing), and it was absolutely perfect for this particular bride.

Hosting an intimate wedding does not necessarily mean omitting any of the elements of a standard wedding, but some of them may be scaled down. For instance, in the aforementioned wedding, the bride chose a simple ivory wedding gown with an a-line skirt. She paired it with a beautiful comb in her hair (no veil), and a small velvet shrug (it was winter). The bridal jewelry sets that she admired were also simple, featuring delicate pearls and golden Swarovksi crystals handcrafted with sterling silver. After looking at a number of bridal jewelry sets together, the bride's mother surprised her with the one that she truly loved as a special bridal shower gift.

The important part of that story is that every bride deserves to feel special on her wedding day, whether her wedding is for 10 people or 100. A beautiful dress is a must, and every bride should have flowers to carry. Deciding to have a small wedding can be a wonderful option for couples who want their day to be beautiful without feeling overwhelming. When it comes to weddings, sometimes good things really do come in small packages.