Small Wedding Ideas for Your Intimate Affair

If you’re already set on having a small New York wedding but need some ideas to get the creative juices flowing, you’ve come to the right place. One of the things I love most about intimate weddings is how much room you have to make it a totally unique affair. At first glance it might seem that everything in the wedding industry is geared towards larger groups, but it’s not the case! Read on for ideas to make your intimate wedding stand out.

Non-Traditional Venues

Wedding venues specifically made with small groups in mind do exist, but you may need to do some initial brainstorming. What would feel romantic and fun for you and your partner? For some, it might be bowling. For others, it might be a gorgeous dinner overlooking the night skyline of the city. Once you have an idea of what you’re interested in, you can start researching from there. Simply googling “unique wedding venues in NY” isn’t necessarily going to bring up all your options. Some places may not have hosted an intimate wedding before. Consider suites at hotels or community gardens—nothing is off limits. Another underrated unique idea is to look at airbnbs (for recommendations, check out my post here).

A few suggestions: The Penthouse at Hotel Giraffe, The Gutter and Clemson Brewing.

Interesting Food

Really great food is at the top of almost everyone’s list, but it can also eat into your budget quickly. An advantage you have with a smaller group is how much you can make the food an actual experience. If one of your favorite activities is to have date night at a tasting menu restaurant, this is totally doable with an intimate guest count! Intimate groups also lend themselves well to more casual meals like wood-fired pizza, and you don’t have to worry about some guests waiting a long time for the next pie to arrive.

A few suggestions: It’s a Pizza Truck and The Gumbo Bros.

Fancy Cocktails

Typically, signature cocktails are pre-batched for weddings and you’re limited to a choice of two. If you’re going for a tiny group, you can get crafty with your cocktails. Hire a cool bar cart or a mixologist. For those who are really into drinks, set up a bespoke experience where your bartenders have free reign.

A few suggestions: Hudson Trailer Co, Clover Club and Parked Prosecco.

Ultra-Curated Welcome Bags

While welcome bags may go to the back burner for large groups, you can have a lot of fun with them for a small wedding! Instead of being forced to order more traditional items in bulk, you can keep it super local and special for less people. Aside from great snacks, think about a gift they’ll actually get to keep like a blanket or mug.

A few suggestions: Irving Farm Coffee, Maptote and William Greenberg Desserts.

Detailed Design

Going thrifting for 100 people would be extremely time consuming and costly, but imagine if you only need to find enough for 25 people. The design elements can be amped up when the numbers are kept to a minimum. With larger weddings, you might find yourself picking and choosing between beautiful table runners or specialty candles. I love that you can make each place setting personal with a small group too. Perhaps you personalize an illustration for each guest, or have a calligrapher write your guests’ names on a special keepsake like a shell.

A few suggestions: Oyster Shells, Monogrammed Napkins, and Statement Furniture Rentals

Get Some Cool Signage

Large scale signage can be quite costly and may not work with budgets for a big wedding. Since you might not need directional signage for an intimate group, consider pieces that can be used in your home later. That could be a sweet neon sign with your favorite quote, or a beautiful wood plank with your family name. Super cool signs can serve as no-fuss decor, as well as photo backdrops.

A few suggestions: Neon Wedding Signs, Mirror Decals and Handlettered Scroll.

Have Multiple Micro-Celebrations

If you have friends in different places, or if you just had different activities in mind, opt for several smaller celebrations. There may be a little more coordination involved, but you can have your cake and eat it too! Just be sure you communicate the plan to everyone well in advance so that no one thinks they’re being left out.

A few suggestions: A boozy brunch, a sunset picnic and a fancy cocktail party.

Go Big on Entertainment

Sometimes splurging on a special entertainment piece will get lost in a big crowd. That’s certainly not the case for an intimate wedding. Even if you’re not into dancing, you could hire a jazz band to liven the atmosphere. Or, if you’re more into interactive entertainment, hire an artist or magician.

A few suggestions: Close-Up Magician, Mirror Photobooth and The Lowdown Stompers.

Unusual Seating Arrangements

When you’re having an intimate wedding, you likely want to maximize for spending the most time with your guests. Smaller guest counts afford you the opportunity to play around with your table set-up so everyone can feel included.

A few suggestions: U-shape table or Semi-circle ceremony chairs


At the end of the day, your intimate wedding should feel totally and completely you. If a small New York wedding with your nearest & dearest resonates with you, I’d love to help make that dream become reality. Contact me to start planning!


Sarah Carroll