Check Out These 25+ Small Wedding Ideas
Not everyone wants a big wedding and certainly, not everyone has the financial means for that kind of wedding. As a result, small simple weddings are a go-to. In this article, I will be taking you through how to go about a simple wedding ideas for a small wedding
A small wedding or a micro wedding in all definitions focuses on the guests which are usually 50 or lesser than that. When you go further to 100, that’s a medium wedding, and largely carries more than 100.
Why Small Weddings?
There are plenty of reasons to have a small wedding. Here’s a list for you:
- You get to keep the budget on the low and more friendly.
- Less budget means more focus on the bigger picture like a wedding dress, cakes, dinner, house, rent, family, kids, etc.
- You get to spend more individual time with your friends, family, and loved ones – like one-on-one time, isn’t that amazing?
- You create memories individually with them that linger on even after the wedding.
- With simple weddings, you end up in a stress-free and relaxed environment. Isn’t that rewarding?
“Less is more” because, with this, you get to socialize and have intimacy with your guests and make memories to always remember. While this already sounds interesting, read on to see more about micro weddings and how to go about them.
Ideas for a Simple Wedding
1. Send Handwritten Invitation Cards
First things first, our guests and invite, right? Since you already have the intention of having a small wedding, instead of printing cards why not write and customize them? It’s much easier, faster, fun, and budget freaking friendly.
Look out for lovely white cards or thick white paper to write your name, spouse’s, the date of the wedding, etc. It can’t be that hard or you can simply place a call to them or send a message about the big day.
2. Limit Who You Invite
Now that you’ve decided on handwritten cards, it’s time to make that list. When it comes to weddings, this is the highlight of it all, well apart from item 7, yeah. They make the event memorable, fun, exciting, and beautiful. But there’s a twist to this,
You don’t have to invite anyone and everyone to your simple wedding.
Yes, it’s a memorable day for you and your spouse. It’s a reason but remember, it’s a small wedding. The lesser they are, the merrier the event and of course, less budget.
3. Be Selective About Friends
“The less the merrier” remember? Be selective and strategize about the friends you want to send invitation cards to. Make sure they are the ones you want there and want to make memories with.
Feeling bad about the friends you left behind? Simple send gifts and souvenirs to them.
With this, you’re being thoughtful and in a way, you’re sending apologies to them. They will definitely understand you, relax.
4. Be Strict About Plus Ones (+1)
You thought I’d skip this one? No, no. Plus Ones are definitely those people that make your wedding congested and food not to go round. To top it all, they weren’t invited and you definitely don’t know them.
Imagine you planned item 7 for 40 people and your guest comes with 20 +1’s, where will you get item 7 to go round your guests and their guests? You’ll have to spend more to satisfy them or order more food to go round and that is not how you planned your budget, is it?
So, before sending out invitations, make sure you know your guests. If they are married, better you believe they will be coming with their spouse so add them to the list. When sending to others, be strict about it and tell your guests to understand and bear with you. Remember to check your parent list too, they will be inviting the whole state to the event. Check-in and check out, okay?
5. Choose the Wedding Venue with a Strict Guest Capacity
A bouncer? Security? Yeah, you get my point. Trust me, people have two coconut heads and even after your strictness on +1, some will still do what they want to. I mean, you can’t beat them, can you?
Pick a venue with strict rules on capacity and also have bouncers and security who check your guest in only after showing a legit invitation to them. As you do this, you take the pressure off yourself. I mean, you don’t have to worry about item 7 not going round. Or somebody you don’t know contesting the whole place. You also have less stress and a more relaxed atmosphere.
6.Opt for a Virtual Ceremony
Another tip that makes the list of simple wedding ideas for a small wedding is by embracing technology. I mean technology makes everything easy nowadays, doesn’t it? This idea here encourages you to have a loved one virtually attend your wedding. There are some guests whose presence means the world to you but due to one or two, will not be able to make it. That’s okay; this is why it’s a good idea to have a video call with them.
Simply encourage them or accept the idea for a Zoom video call. With this, they get to see you exchange vows, dance, merry, cut out the cake, eat, and play games and you get to keep your guest list small. Isn’t that the whole idea, yes?
7. Ditch the Wedding Party
Okay, I had to add this before I proceed to the main event of the day. Have it in mind that if you want this, you have to cut out on other things. Yeah, we all love to party (some of us, I know I do) but if you want a small wedding, you have to say No to this party.
Planning on having an after-party call for extra refreshments and of course, a messy house to clean up once they leave. So instead of this, have a prolonged reception with your guests and enjoy every moment with them.
8. Choose an Indoor Wedding Reception
This idea narrows down to considering using the backyard of your house or family house as the venue for the wedding. With family and friends around, it’d be easier and less budget for you as you get them to help. They could help with decorations and the setting up of the place.
With this, you have more time to talk and bond, also to plan how the event will take place. Another plus is that you have your parents around and this is meaningful in all languages.
9. Choose an Outdoor Venue and Reception
With fewer people on the guest list, you might just be considering a restaurant as the perfect place for the wedding venue. Calm down, don’t have that look or say “How can my wedding reception be at a restaurant?” It’s actually not a bad idea if you refurnish the place with the right linens, fabrics, and decorations.
With a restaurant, the furniture is already in the right place. All you need do is discuss with your spouse the bold colours you’ll want to use and the menu you’ll want to include.
Another option here is a “destination wedding” People tend to do this and it is quite small as only wanted guests will be there. If you’re able to, by all means, then go ahead.
10. Consider a Long Table Set Up
A long reception table is a fun way to have everyone making eye contact, feeling welcomed and included in every conversation. This setup makes even friends feel like family too on this beautiful day of your life.
11. Consider a U-Table Set-Up
A boring long table, am I right? How about a U-table setup? Get innovative and add tables to give you the U shape. This makes it merrier and helps in enhancing conversation amongst guests.
Be sure to decorate the tables, lay fabrics, linens on the table to give it a welcome touch. This makes the guest feel at home and connected too.
12. Get Creative with Decorations and Seating Arrangements
With small simple weddings come innovations and cracking of the head to come up with something elegant and beautiful. Planning a simple wedding involves seating arrangements with eye-catching decorations.
Consider using a large table or U-table like mentioned above. Lay linens, fabrics, or satin on them to give them a unique touch. Proceed to fill the spaces with flowers, glasses, lights, candles in the glasses, plants, cutleries, and napkins.
Use white curtains to give it a touch of warmth, ambience, and comfort. This also serves as a barrier from the sun.
13. Consider Hanging Some Decorations
Go big or go home, huh? You should consider lifting the flowers, flower pot, plants, or lights for added intimacy and ambience. A small wedding gives you ideas and opportunities to go big or go home. Try everything you think you can and be sure to come up with an elegant decoration.
14. Make Provision for Table Reservations
With fewer guests comes comfort, trust me. Place name cards on your guest table for them to recognize their allocated space and make them feel at home. With a few lists, you can make this or simply buy them. I recommend handwriting them the same way we did with the invitation cards.
Get crafty and personalize their names with calligraphy for each card. Make them feel special by adding a heart or even adding their pet name or nickname on the card.
15. Make Sure Cutleries Go Round
With tables come cutleries, don’t forget that. On every table and chair, place a set of cutleries (fork, spoon, and knife) and glassware (wine and water) or simply place table water.
Design each place beautifully and wonderful to honour your guest and give each chair space to enable them to eat comfortably. This also prevents them from hitting their elbows against each other.
16. Create Your Own Menu and Timeline of the Event
Have a structured timeline for your wedding so as not to forget what you really want to do on this auspicious day.
Incorporate tasty dishes into the menu or side dishes for the special guests. A good timeline will keep your guests glued and entertained. Don’t forget to tell them about your love story and of course how you guys met.
This is surely one of the simple wedding ideas for a small wedding worth noting.
17. Create An Ambiance Lounge Area
I mean, you can’t keep your guests sitting face to face with each other all day. How about you create a lounge area for them to relax and rest their backs?
You can create a lounge area with cushions, pillows, and throw pillows (I mean, throw = fun). With this, you give them room to interact more and also to relax. You can make fruit punch, cocktail, or smoothies to serve in wine glasses while the guest catches up and maybe, matchmaking. *wink*
18. Hire a Budget Friendly Entertainment
A good timeline could keep your guests entertained but if you’re able to, consider hiring a live band for extra entertainment. Yeah, we’re on a small wedding if you can’t afford one, let it be.
If you’re able to, hire one that is budget-friendly to you and your spouse. You might even be lucky to get one as a gift from your friends. Or an artiste may come to surprise you because your friend put the word out there about your wedding and how much you admire the said artiste.
19. Have a Friend Help out With the Pictures
I mean, what’s a wedding without pictures? Am I right? You deserve those pictures, okay. They are those memories you look back to and remember how heartfelt it was for you. You might just be lucky to have a friend who is a photographer and wouldn’t mind capturing every moment. If you’re not, invest in one for a couple of hours to capture intimate moments with friends, families, and loved ones.
With fewer guests on your side, you get to create the most intimate atmosphere with them. A photographer or your friend should help to capture the laughter, the joy, the cheers, and dance of course. These are moments to treasure the most of the day and after.
Don’t forget pre-wedding shoots cause I mean, we the guests have to post. Am I right?
20. Find a Friend who Can Take Both Pictures and Videos
One of the simple wedding ideas for a small wedding is considering video coverage. I mean, after photography comes videography at weddings. Have your photographer make a video or videos of your memorable day. If you were lucky to have a friend who helped in photography but can’t do videography, how about sending them out? With this, you’re sticking to a budget and killing two birds with a stone.
Have them make clips of happy moments, dancing moments, eating moments, clinging of glasses, joy, and laughter. Everything!
21. Have a Small Cake
With a simple wedding, you need fewer layers of cake. You are also opportune to add brownies or cookies as dessert for your guests.
All you need do is communicate with your baker about your idea, the number of people you’re inviting and be on a budget with them. Be sure to enjoy this at the lounge area with your friends and family.
22. Your Menu Should be Limited
This is also one of the simple wedding ideas for a small wedding. Instead of paying a caterer, there are two options for you here:
- Create your own menu
- Get an online food vendor
Both options will work well. Or simply Call Mama, it’s an emergency. Trust me, in this situation, it’s best to run to them. They will definitely do something as their quota for this auspicious day or Hello Friends!
23. Have Your Bridesmaid and Groomsmen be On Board
I completely forgot this but here you go! Everyone has to be involved, including them. Be open to them about your ideas and also listen to theirs. Do you want a grand entrance, an elegant one or a street one? Do you want blue or red or red and green? Bundle up and bond with them about these issues and plan something simple and classy.
24. Choose Second-Hand Wedding Outfits
Sigh, I didn’t skip this because I swear I almost did. I mean, WHAT, It’s FASHION! This speaks volumes. Well, there are tons of bridal styles online and if you want yours made, be sure to plan this ahead of time, say months. This is to avoid getting disappointed, I mean, some fashion designers do not keep to their words.
But, how about embracing something new? Rent! People rent out bridal dresses, suits, gowns, and ties, I mean everything. They are called “second hand” but they are still of quality, class, and style.
You can choose to rent the gown and suits while you buy other accessories like shoes, jewelry, and bags. With this being done, you’re cutting down on expenses and having that small wedding you want.
25. Go for Cheaper Hair, Nails, and Makeup
Ladies! Ladies! With this, you don’t have to plan much as you can book a makeup artist a day before the wedding. And if you’re lucky, your friend might just be one and make all your dreams looks be a reality. Or your chosen artiste could be running a promo or a discount and you’re it!
Find artistes that match your desired look and the same thing applies to your nails, hair, or matching veil to complete your glamorous look like a bride.
26. Don’t Go Beyond Your Budget
If you’re like me, you must have had a mental picture of all these ideas listed above. If you did that, now is the time to set a budget for all these ideas.
Feel free to discard any you don’t find a need to, I mean it’s your day and everything should go as you want it. Just be sure to work with that budget you fix and don’t go overboard with it. Remember to check out what you feel is not needed or wanted and is not important.
As you have seen, setting a budget is surely one of the simple wedding ideas for a small wedding worth putting into consideration.
27. Whatever Happens, Don’t Change your Wedding Date!
What’s next after that budget? This is next! After planning all you’ll do and not do, now is the time to pick a date. Be sure to pick a date when everything you’ve planned is ready.
Do not rush into it when you’ve not fully planned out everything. You don’t want to ruin this day with last-minute calls for decorations or a photographer. Take your time to check out what is most needed and what isn’t.
28. Choose an Affordable Destination for Honeymoon
I decided to write this as last because it’s not really important if you can’t afford it. But, with simple weddings, you can go all out on your honeymoon. Maybe a destination honeymoon if you’re able to. This gives room for not just body, mind, and soul intimacy but intimacy with the world, people, and nature.
Remember, there is no rush here. You can choose to delay to save some more or simply put the money you have into other things like savings, car, family, rent, etc.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned simple wedding ideas for a small wedding are all important. Simple weddings give room for creativity and togetherness with friends and family. Your wedding is the biggest event you’ll ever put together by yourself. If you’re on a budget and without a wedding planner, there’s a lot you have to do and with that said, I hope I met your every thought and answered your every idea. If I did not, feel free to let us know and drop your suggestions in the comments section.
Thank you.
Aisha Zakari
