First off, let’s define small. You’ll see varying numbers floating around the internet but for our purposes, a small wedding is typically under 50 guests. It may not feel right for you to elope with just your partner, but you also might not be comfortable with large crowd.

In 2019, the average cost of a wedding was just about $40,000 according to WeddingWire. If the price tag alone has you wanted to scrap a wedding altogether and get married in the courthouse, I totally understand your hesitations. I’m here to tell you there is another option that allows you to celebrate your love publicly without breaking the bank.

Here’s everything you need to know about planning an intimate wedding.

Guest List

Having a smaller guest list means getting to spend more quality time with everyone. If you’ve carefully pared down your invites to only the most important people, you’ll feel extra great when you actually have the time to speak to each one of them on your wedding day. Weddings are always overflowing with emotion, love and adrenaline. Adding a few hundred people to the mix can be too much for some.

Cost

While an intimate wedding doesn’t have to mean a smaller budget, often times, it does. Not having to feed a large group definitely helps keep costs down. You also have the ability to rent spaces that might be off-the-beaten-path and therefore, more affordable. Further, less people means less schedules to coordinate with, so a weekday wedding isn’t off the table. Often, venues will give discounts for weddings on Mondays-Thursdays.

Creativity

Having more room in your budget means the sky is the limit when it comes to design. Have a vision in mind for a super elaborate tablescape? You can do that when you only have to fill 1-2 tables! Want to turn your wedding into an all-day affair with multiple events? That’s also on the table with a smaller group.

Timing

By now you might have realized that planning a smaller wedding gives you more options across the board, from venues to day of the week. As a result, you can work with a shorter lead time. This is especially true if you enlist the help of a professional planner. I’ve planned full weddings in less than two months!

Location

While some traditional wedding venues may give discounts for smaller weddings, you also have the option to think outside the box. While it might not be feasible to do a backyard wedding for 150 people, it might be perfect for an intimate gathering!

Get Personal

The smaller the group, the more opportunity to give your guests a truly personal experience. That could mean super thoughtful favors or individual handwritten notes.

To sum it up, an intimate wedding could be the solution to your wedding planning stress. If you’re still on the fence about planning a small wedding, let’s talk. I’m planning intimate weddings in New York.