Big Reasons to Go Small.

PHOTO BY ANNE & BEX

It’s no surprise to us that small weddings are quickly gaining popularity for young couples. Some of the most fun weddings we’ve produced (and the most beautiful!) have had guest counts of less than 75. And with the current impact of COVID-19, more and more couples are shortening their guest lists for future celebrations. We’re fully on board with small weddings — here’s why:

• You don’t have to make excuses as to why you aren’t inviting everyone you know.
  Working on the wedding guest list with your partner is not easy. Especially if you’re looking to keep your guest count within the 100-150 range, you have large families, or you’ve lived in several cities. When you choose to host a small wedding, you’re also choosing to include only the absolute closest people to you. Keeping that in mind means you’ll find yourself on fewer guilt trips!

• You can have face-to-face time with all of your guests.
  We always encourage our couples to enjoy the moment. That includes finding time to chat with everyone at the wedding. This can be incredibly challenging when there are 300 people in the room, but is a breeze when there are only 30. Being able to share a dinner table with all of your wedding guests is pretty special.

• You have tons of venue options to choose from.
  If you’re looking to get married in a city like New York, you’ll learn very quickly that large venues are pretty rare. Try filtering a venue search to show you options for guest counts under 100. Then try filtering for over 200. The list of results gets a whole lot shorter! You’re also likely to face more competition for popular wedding dates — every couple with a large guest count is looking at the same handful of venues. While you wouldn’t necessarily host a wedding for 25 in a venue that holds 225 people, you’ll find that you have a lot more options when there are fewer guests.

• You’re less likely to get stage fright.
  Not everyone looks forward to saying their vows in front of 150 people. If you’re a little shy, speaking in front of 20 of your family members and close friends will probably be much easier.

• Your dollars will go further.
  This is the big one. Let’s say your budget is $50,000.
  If you invite 150 people, that gives you a little over $300 to spend on each guest. To help get the wheels turning as to how that translates into a wedding, imagine taking your friends out for a nice three-course dinner. Everyone gets to drink as much alcohol as they’d like. How much would that cost per person? Now, imagine that you also need to cover floral and decor, entertainment, stationery, and more. Depending on your market, you’re looking at either minor or major sacrifices to make it work.
  On the other hand, if you invite 25 people, that’s $2,000 to spend on each guest.

Beyond the tangible stuff (yes, the weddings that trend on Instagram and Pinterest with dozens of incredible details are often tiny), a small guest count means pouring more into guest experience. Upgrade from filet mignon to a full blown tasting menu. Feel like your band is performing a private concert. Write notes to slip under each guest’s place card. Smaller guest counts often allow you to create so much more of a unique experience, with so little sacrifice. If you’re still in the early stages of planning, take our advice: take a second look at your list!