13 small wedding ideas for an intimate celebration
Micro weddings are a modern trend for a reason. They can be intimate, creative, and low-budget—and the planning possibilities are endless! Without the pressure of a large guest list, you can choose from a variety of unforgettable venues, wedding themes, and special touches that make your wedding feel exactly like you.
But how do you start planning a micro wedding? We’ve made a list of our favorite wedding invitations, venues, themes, and planning tips to make the process a breeze. Your wedding may be small—but it’s still your big day.
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Why small weddings shine
For many couples, large weddings are becoming a thing of the past. These 600-guest affairs in sprawling ballrooms are making way for smaller weddings with fewer guests and more personal touches. With guest lists closer to 20-50 people and less expensive venues and catering costs, small (or “micro”) weddings are an excellent way to have your dream wedding without breaking the bank.
The good news is that micro weddings can be as elegant and memorable as big, splashy nuptials. With the money they save by having a smaller guest list, couples can spend more on the venue, personalized details, or upscale elements for their wedding. Plus, without the pressure of meeting and greeting dozens of distant relatives, the bride and groom can focus on their closest loved ones. And isn’t that what a wedding is all about, anyway?
How to plan a small wedding effectively
Planning a small wedding is just like planning a big wedding—just, well, smaller. Keep these considerations in mind as you map out your dream micro wedding.
1. Create a budget
When planning any wedding, the budget comes first (well, after the ring). Micro weddings are perfect for budget-conscious couples who want to say “I do” with as few frills as possible.
Your budget should account for:
- The venue. This is usually the highest cost for any wedding. Choose a smaller, less expensive venue to accommodate your wedding, or find a small space in a larger venue (such as a clubhouse in a country club, rather than the main ballroom).
- Flowers and decorations. Since you have less space to fill with flowers, you may be able to get your ideal floral displays for a fraction of the typical wedding cost.
- Invitations. Between ordering paper invitations and paying for postage, the cost of sending invitations adds up quickly. You’ll save money on invitations when you order and send fewer of them—or better yet, customize and send digital wedding invitations with Paperless Post.
- Entertainment. Do you need a DJ or live band for a 20-person wedding, or can you save money with a well-planned playlist? It’s up to you!
- Food and drink. If you’re feeding fewer people, consider putting the money you’ll save into an open bar—or use it on another part of your wedding.
- Attire and beauty. Use the money you saved from other micro wedding items on that designer gown you’ve been eyeing, or upgrade your suit to a tuxedo.
If planning your small wedding results in higher savings, consider using those funds on a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon. Or put those savings toward your new life together, whether that’s a down payment on a home, an emergency fund, or planning for a new baby.
2. Make a guest list
It may seem like planning a micro wedding means big cuts to the guest list (and hurt feelings). However, because small, intimate weddings have become so popular, people generally understand that a guest list may include just a couple’s inner circle.
Consider these wedding guest list tips when deciding how to limit your guest count for a small wedding:
- Family and close friends only. Inviting only your parents, siblings, close relatives, and best friends to your small wedding is perfectly acceptable. If you haven’t talked to Uncle Gordon and Great Aunt Gladys in several years, it’s okay not to invite them.
- Smaller wedding party. If you invite fewer than 50 people to your wedding, you don’t need 10 of them to be in your wedding party. Opt for just one or two bridesmaids and groomsmen to stand by your side.
- Second (casual) reception. For couples with large families and friend groups, consider making an exclusive guest list for the wedding and reception itself. Then, a few weeks after the wedding, host a casual, less expensive get-together (think backyard barbecue) to celebrate your marriage with a larger group.
- Limit kids on the guest list. Kids are small, but they’re still part of your guest count. Make your small wedding adults-only to keep your capacity low. If you’re inviting a few kids, collect headcounts for both children and adults when guests RSVP to your Paperless Post invitation.
- Limit plus ones. A blanket “no plus ones” policy can cut your list down dramatically. Decide together what constitutes a plus one (usually it’s a date or someone who isn’t a spouse or long-term partner) and invite only the people on your guest list.
3. Be creative
The beauty of a small wedding is that you have room—both financially and logistically—to experiment a little. Smaller venues tend to have more flexibility when it comes to details, and with some extra space in your budget, you can personalize your special day even more.
Some ideas to personalize your small wedding:
- Incorporate your favorite things into the wedding, whether it’s a superhero-themed wedding cake or the best ska band money can provide.
- Personalize wedding favors for individual guests, such as monogrammed keychains or individual notes for each person.
- Customize your invitations to include your wedding colors and desired fonts. With Paperless Post, customizing your invitation’s envelope, liner, and backdrop is easy. You can even upload a Photo Gallery Block with pictures of you and your fiancé for that extra special touch!
- Adding personal touches to your wedding décor can make a small wedding even more intimate, whether it’s pictures of your dog in your centerpieces, tableware with your monogram, or a slideshow of your recent house renovation
Venue ideas for intimate celebrations
Once you’ve got the “when” and “who” squared away, it’s time to add the “where” to your small wedding planning. Find inspiration in these small wedding venue ideas, and host a memorable night your guests won’t soon forget.
4. Beach wedding
Almost any outdoor venue is a good choice, but beach weddings are a particularly strategic small wedding idea. You don’t need to worry about setting up dozens of chairs or whether everyone can hear your vows when you only have 20 guests. Plus, you can’t beat the backdrop of an ocean sunset.
5. Courthouse wedding
Get married without the fuss when you choose a courthouse wedding. Many courthouses are beautiful and historic, giving your wedding photos a timeless quality. They also tend to limit the guest count for you, giving you the perfect excuse to keep the headcount small. You can always host your reception in a small restaurant space or nearby park if you’d like to invite more people to celebrate after the ceremony.
6. Backyard wedding
There’s nothing more intimate than getting married at someone’s home. Whether it’s your house, your parent’s home, or a family friend’s estate, a backyard dresses up nicely as a small wedding venue. You can invite a small circle of loved ones or as many people as you can fit—it’s up to you.
7. Garden or vineyard wedding
Imagine the smell of honeysuckle and peach blossoms wafting along a gentle breeze as you commit your life to the person you love. Many gardens and vineyards have limited event space, so a small wedding is a perfect fit for these gorgeous venues. And if you’re getting married in a warmer season, there’s nothing more romantic than a first dance under the stars.
8. Museum wedding
You don’t have to be an art lover to be swept off your feet by the beauty of an art museum wedding. With smaller event spaces and masterpieces lining the walls, museums are a great choice for couples who want to host a small—and unforgettable—wedding experience. Other memorable museum ideas for small weddings include natural history museums, nautical museums, and historic houses.
Theme and décor ideas for small weddings
When it comes to wedding theme ideas, small weddings offer flexibility. Check out our favorite ideas for small weddings, complete with invitation ideas and suggestions for refreshments and décor.
9. Secret romance
Hosting a micro wedding is like running away to elope—with a few extra guests. Channel that intrigue into a small wedding that feels like it could have taken place in a romance novel.
- Invitation: Choose a design for your wedding invitation that feels like an exclusive note, such as “Cennini” by Paperless Post.
- Refreshments: Craft a signature drink based on your favorite romantic couple, either from movies or books. (We suggest the Juliet and Romeo cocktail by Tablespoon.)
- Décor: Drape your wedding space in outdoor lights from the Paperless Post Party Shop for a fairytale feel.
- Activities: To create a romantic ambiance, have a romance movie playing in the background of your wedding reception (sound off).
10. Your favorite fandom
If you and your fiancé are more likely to be seen at a fan convention or theme park than a banquet hall, bring that passion to your big day. Incorporate details from your favorite fandom into the wedding planning to make it a truly personalized experience.
- Invitation: Upload a photo of yourselves from your engagement shoot (or latest convention) to the aptly named “Simply Us” by Paperless Post.
- Refreshments: Serve themed foods and drinks, like Galaxy Cocktails by The Flavor Bender, for a truly out-of-this-world sci-fi wedding.
- Décor: Choose from Party Shop’s variety of high-quality table covers to match your wedding colors and/or fandom theme.
- Activities: Rent a photo booth for guests to take pictures of themselves during the reception, complete with photo props and filters inspired by your interests.
11. One with nature
For some couples, “Take a hike!” is more of a promising start to the day than an exasperated response. Share your love of the outdoors with your family and friends with this small wedding theme that will make anyone a happy camper.
- Invitation: Capture the outdoor theme (and possibly the venue) with a nature-inspired invitation like “Mountain Scene” or “Oneida” by Paperless Post.
- Refreshments: Set up a s’mores station at your reception for the camping vibes—plus, it’s a smaller price tag than a wedding cake!
- Décor: Choose outdoor party décor that adds a sophisticated touch to a rustic outdoor background.
- Activities: Have guests write notes for the couple to open on their next outdoor adventure.
12. Feast (and drink)
You’ve cut costs on a smaller guest list—and dinner can be a great place for those funds to go. Food-loving couples can easily feature their favorite cuisine at a small wedding, as there are fewer tastes and dietary restrictions to accommodate. If you and your fiancé fancy yourselves mixologists, feature an elevated bar menu for guests to try something new.
- Invitation: Celebrate your bold palate with the dramatic “Valentina” by Brock Collection.
- Refreshments: Create a tasting menu so guests can try a variety of your favorite dishes and drinks.
- Décor: Customize cocktail napkins with your wedding logo or monogram. Don’t forget your wedding date!
- Activities: Set up cuisine booths or stations at your reception and invite guests to try food and drinks with different (but complementary) taste profiles.
13. Destination wedding
Destination weddings are a thrilling way to celebrate your love with a pared-down guest list. While getting 300 people to travel across the world may be nearly impossible, inviting 10 or 20 of your closest loved ones to make the trip is a lot easier. And if you don’t have the funds for a big trip, let your dream destination inspire your wedding theme.
- Invitation: Choose a destination wedding invitation that appeals to guests’ wanderlust, such as “Tuscan Sun” by Felix Doolittle.
- Refreshments: Serve appetizers inspired by your destination, such as Hawaiian ahi tuna poke bowls by Garlic and Zest or Sicilian roasted eggplant caponata by Food and Wine.
- Décor: Dress up your reception area with table runners that match your wedding colors (and the scenic backdrop of your destination).
- Activities: Instead of a traditional wedding guestbook, pass out postcards of your destination for guests to sign and write messages on.
How to capture a small wedding
When choosing a photographer or videographer, make sure they specialize in small or micro weddings. Whether you want lots of profile shots and close-ups or pictures that capture candid moments, these artists will know how to make your pictures and videos look full and lively.
And because they’re spending all day with the same 20-50 people, rather than 200 or 300, they can let individual personalities shine through their work rather than getting as many people on camera as possible. Ask to see pictures or videos of weddings they’ve worked on with guest sizes comparable to yours, or look through their portfolios to see if you like their style in general.
No wedding is too big (or small) for Paperless Post
Micro weddings are a great option for couples who’d like a more intimate, budget-friendly wedding—and they can be even more memorable than their larger counterparts. Learn more about planning weddings of any size, from wedding invitation etiquette to when to host every wedding-related event, including bachelorette parties and bridal showers. When it comes to your big day, Paperless Post is there for you—right down to the smallest details.
Customizable designs from Oscar de la Renta, Rifle Paper Co., kate spade new york, and more.
