Is bigger always better? Not necessarily in the world of weddings. Here are our top 7 reasons that may convince you to shrink your budget – and your guest list.
1. A smaller wedding is easier to plan.
Enjoy the advantages of lower stress, smaller to-do lists, fewer meetings with vendors and -often times- a smaller budget.Imagine, less RSVPs to track down!
Above, Photographer Kim Lovell shot these beauties at Estates of Sunnybrook’s McLean House. What an intimate, elegant space and lovely colour palette. The outside space and porch adds the cherry on top of this amazing venue.
2. Top of your list, your highest priorities.
If you are a foodie, then you have many restaurant options for your chosen cuisine. If you are both all about dancing then adjust your budget to hire your favourite live band. Smaller means you can feature pampering your guests. Six course feasts? The best champagne?
Berkeley Events newest venue, Berkeley Bicycle Club. Historical and ornate, this photo from their sneak peak blog speaks for itself! Don’t think your event has to be this small either, they can accommodate up to 80 seated guests and up to 190 standing; all depends on your needs.
3. The people you love are there.
You will be spending time with supportive people who are already part of your lives. Smaller weddings means no strangers, or distant cousins.
4. Authentic, not a mega-production
You will be hosting a personal celebration full of sincerity, some great laughs, and a deepening of relationships. Your two families will get to know each other and will feel comfortable knowing the people around them. Less to do means time for you to enjoy the exact atmosphere that makes you happy. Irreplaceable!
Thank you Auberge du Pommier for bringing us this stunning space. It has all the right elements for a perfect small wedding and of course absolutely delicious food!
5. Wider spectrum of venue options
Suddenly art galleries, vintage cafes, boats, downtown lofts, historic small museums or even a bed and breakfast out of town. Chic private clubs are all new possibilities! You are not stuck with the same old wedding venues that everyone has already been to. An intimate wedding can even be in the comfort of a family home or garden!
Had the opportunity to perform this lovely boat wedding of close family and friends.
6. Build your future instead of a one day experience.
Money is always a factor, with many couples paying for the wedding themselves, a smaller wedding can equal smaller expenses. Could you both get really excited about saving for a home? Or adding an extra couple stops on your Europe honeymoon?
7. Most importantly, enjoy your wedding!
You can spend time on the wedding day with those in your most intimate life circle. The warmth of this smaller celebration can’t be achieved with over 100 guests. It’s possible to honestly be relaxed at your own event. You get to be your natural self but looking your very best.
In the end your smaller wedding was intimate, relaxed and a welcoming experience for all. This smaller more personal wedding won’t be typical, but memorable. Couples afterwards have repeatedly told me they loved their smaller more intimate experience wedding and would do it all over again!
Sarah Bunnett-Gibson
