With everything that’s going on in the world, it’s no surprise that smaller weddings have become increasingly popular over the last year and some. No matter what you decide to do, you’ll celebrate one of your most important days with the people who mean the most to you. Many people fear that having a micro-wedding won’t feel as much like a wedding day than if they had a few hundred people on their guest list. The wedding industry is constantly evolving, and more couples are opting to take a less traditional approach to their big day. Many couples who choose to have a larger wedding do so because they feel obligated by the pressure to host the event itself, entertain guests, and incorporate traditional elements to their day. Besides the obvious benefit of saving money, you won’t have to worry about skimping on details due to budget constraints, and you can bring your wedding vision to life on a much smaller scale. If you’re still not convinced a small wedding is for you, I’ve come up with a list of 3 reasons why small weddings don’t suck:

You can splurge on other aspects of the day.

For many couples, this is one of the primary reasons for scaling their guest count down. This could mean having more flexibility with choosing a venue, photographer, decor, or adding things that otherwise wouldn’t have been an option. With fewer guests present, you can splurge on the things that matter most to you. For some, this could mean hiring a videographer or opting for a more lavish meal. With all the money you save choosing a smaller venue, you could decide to splurge on your dream honeymoon, if that’s more your vibe. You’ll have more money available to spend and less to worry about financially while you're away. A small wedding also provides you with different venue options, or perhaps a destination wedding. Asking a few hundred people to travel across the globe could be a bit more tricky. Most of all, you get to invest in the things that matter the most to you, and you don’t have to spend money on the things that don’t serve you.

2. A smaller wedding allows your day to be more intimate.

With fewer people present, you’ll get to spend more time with your guests. You get to surround yourself with all of your closest friends and family without feeling like you have to invite certain people. Weddings are so personal, and that’s truly the best part. A wedding should feel like an intimate affair, and not like a family reunion. It’s hard not to feel pressure when it comes to the guest list, and there always seems to be a grey area on where the cut off number should be. Many couples tend to shy away from sharing personal vows in front of hundreds of people, so they opt for the traditional ones. Writing your own vows and making them personal is way less intimidating in front of a smaller crowd of people who know and love you. A smaller wedding allows you to have an intimate gathering where you can just relax and enjoy the day, rather than worrying about putting on a show for everyone or feeling like you have to entertain your guests. Without the pressure of a large gathering, a smaller wedding also allows your guests to mingle in a more connection-focused way. A small wedding allows you more freedom with your timeline, too. You can choose to do things that you might not have otherwise had time for. This could mean exchanging gifts or letters with your parents, a first look with a special someone in your life, or enjoying breakfast together before the day begins.

3. You get to hone in on what matters most to you.

Your wedding day should be a reflection of the two of you and how you want to celebrate the beginning of your marriage. For many, the thought of putting on an event for hundreds of people sounds incredibly overwhelming. A small wedding gives you the freedom to truly hone in on creating an experience that’s all about the two of you. For some, this could mean going on an adventurous camping trip to a beautiful spot with your closest family and friends and sharing vows overlooking the water. It might be a little more tricky if you were to ask a couple hundred people to go to a remote camping spot. It could also mean having a small backyard ceremony and then serving a five-course meal to your guests. No matter what your day looks like, you are choosing to commit yourselves to one another. The planning, the experience, and the adventure of having a large or small wedding is what makes the two of them wildly different.

Most importantly, it’s easy to get swept into the expectations of our parents, grandparents or the ones around us, but it’s important to do what you want to do. It’s your wedding day so you get to decide how to spend it. Choosing to have a smaller wedding doesn’t mean that you don’t want to invest in your wedding day. It means that, as a couple, you are choosing to do something different than what a large, traditional wedding can offer you. By creating an intimate wedding celebration, you get to create an unforgettable experience, both for the two of you, and your guests. Since the COVID 19 pandemic, weddings have looked and felt different, and many couples have seen that they don’t have to have a large guest list in order for it to feel like a wedding day. If you choose to have a small wedding, you are intentionally choosing an intimate, meaningful, and authentic wedding experience that’s truly all about the two of you.

I’d love to help you create an experience on your wedding day. To inquire about my 2022 availability, reach out to me here.