What are the 5 benefits of having a small, intimate wedding? 

Having a small, intimate wedding can be a wonderful choice for several reasons. Here are five compelling arguments for why it’s a good idea:

Reduced Stress and Cost

Reduced stress and costs: Planning a large wedding can be overwhelming and expensive. Opting for a smaller celebration can alleviate stress and simplify the planning process. It may also help you save money, as you’ll have fewer guests to accommodate in terms of catering, venue size, and decor. Naturally, budgets have the potential to be less because of the guest count. You can invest in other areas of the budget like videography, albums, upgrading to premium liquor, upgrading the menu, or your honeymoon

Budgetary items that are affected by guest count are stationary, cake, catering, linens and chairs, bar service, and transportation. You can save some serious money by having a smaller guest count and focusing on creating a more intimate experience for your friends and family.

If you are engaged and don’t know where to start with your wedding planning in this season of life, please reach out to me. Let me support you through this! I love sharing ideas with couples. During quarantine I’ve taken lots of webinars and online workshops that have given me a new perspective on weddings going into the future. I’m excited to shift what we’ve always known about weddings and starting to transition to be prepared for the future.

Planning and Design: Go Bella Planning and Design
Florals: Bloom Flower Shop
Venue: Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Decor: Colorado Party Rentals

Increased Focus on the Couple

Increased focus on the couple: A smaller wedding allows the couple to be the central focus of the event. With fewer distractions, you can dedicate more time to each other, enjoy the celebration, and fully experience the joy of your special day. With a smaller guest list, you can prioritize inviting those who have played a significant role in your life. By limiting the guest count, you can focus on nurturing meaningful connections, allowing you to have more intimate conversations and experiences with your guests. With a smaller guest list, you can spend more quality time with each attendee. This allows you to engage in meaningful conversations, share personal moments, and create lasting memories with those who matter most to you. Intimate weddings often exude a warm and cozy ambiance. The focus shifts from grandeur to a more personal and meaningful experience. This creates an atmosphere where guests feel connected, fostering a sense of closeness and shared joy. Also, small sit-down dinners with the opportunity to personalize the menu for your guests. 

Budgetary items that are affected by guest count are stationary, cake, catering, linens and chairs, bar service, and transportation. You can save some serious money by having a smaller guest count and focusing on creating a more intimate experience for your friends and family.

Easier Logistics and Coordination

Easier logistics and coordination: Managing a smaller wedding is generally easier than coordinating a large-scale event. You can have more control over the details, and it becomes simpler to communicate with vendors, handle seating arrangements, and ensure everyone is taken care of. Smaller weddings offer greater flexibility and room for creativity. This enables you to create a wedding that truly reflects your personality and preferences.

More Options for Locations

More options for where you get married: Fewer people mean more opportunities for locations. If you’ve always wanted to get married with an epic mountain backdrop, it’s a lot easier to get fewer guests to that location than more. You can choose unique venues that may not accommodate larger crowds, explore personalized themes, and pay attention to finer details that might be challenging to execute on a larger scale. Having a destination wedding already lends itself well to having a smaller guest list. You can all stay together at the same hotel and better yet if your venue is at the same location to keep transportation super easy. 

Less Impact on the Environment

Less impact on the environment: Let’s face it, the wedding industry does a number on the earth. Now, your wedding can be eco-friendly, and you have more opportunities to use sustainable options in your small wedding. Carbon-neutral offsets are also a positive when it comes to traveling to the destination of your choice. 

Ultimately, the decision to have a small, intimate wedding depends on your personal preferences, budget, and desire for a more personal and relaxed celebration. It can offer a unique and memorable experience for both you and your guests.

We’ve created custom wedding photography packages just for small, intimate weddings of 50 or fewer guests. Our photography services include ceremony and portrait-only coverage, ceremony and reception, and all-day micro-wedding coverage. It still includes a personalized online gallery, digital downloads, and options to include a second professional photographer and custom heirloom albums.

Need help navigating through this time and don’t have a planner?

I’m a multi-passionate creative and I’ve had so many opportunities to work in multiple specialties in the wedding industry. From assistant producer for a luxury wedding planner to the decade + of experience I’ve had photographing weddings of all sizes, I took all of the lessons I’ve learned along the way and created the Mountain Elopement Guide.