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Leonormorrow
Dedicated September 2020

Decreasing guest count thoughts?

Leonormorrow, on November 7, 2019 at 7:10 AM Posted in Planning 0 21
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Hi all! I was originally already planning a pretty small wedding of around 50 guests. The venue I have booked allows a max of 60. Now, however, after seeing how expensive catering is, I’m thinking of going down to maybe 30-35. This will save us significant money and put our budget more where I hoped it would be.

the only thing is do you think this number of guests will make the Venue seem to big? It’s not a typical venue, as it is a conservatory and botanical garden.

also, any tips for explaining to those not invited that it is going to be an intimate wedding of closest friends and family? Thanks!

21 Comments

Latest activity by Rose, on November 8, 2019 at 12:24 PM
  • Chandra
    Master May 2019
    Chandra ·
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    I dont think the lower guest count will cause any problems. 60 max may not mean 60 fit super comfortably!
    As for uninvited guests, just tell them exactly that! They might whine a bit but it's your day and you and your SO choose to spend it with those absolutely nearest and dearest.
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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    I would kindly tell them that you have elected to have a small wedding. I would check that your venue doesn't have a minimum on what you have to spend. A lot of venues do.
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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    I think that 30 is completely fine! Like Chandra said, just because it can fit 60 doesn't mean that it can do so comfortably. If anyone asks about an invite, just say "I'm sorry, we've decided to keep the guest list to close friends and family. We'd love to celebrate with you afterwards though!"

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  • Leonormorrow
    Dedicated September 2020
    Leonormorrow ·
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    Thanks for the tip! Our venue doesn’t do catering so I think there’s no minimum. But idk if it’s silly to rent out such a space for so few people.


    i think overall I would prefer a smaller wedding, but 50 is already pretty small so I don’t know if going smaller would make it feel less like a formal wedding?
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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    I don't think it is silly to rent out the space. Since they don't offer catering then, my guess is there is no minimum, but I would just confirm.
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  • Megan
    Super October 2020
    Megan ·
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    Number of guests doesn’t dictate the formality. You said it’s in a botanical garden so I’m sure it’s going to look incredibly beautiful; just because there will be less people, it won’t feel any less formal. Don’t worry!!

    My cousin recently had a very small wedding at a beautiful historic venue in Philly and it was very intimate but still formal.
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  • Givemeallthepups
    Expert February 2020
    Givemeallthepups ·
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    Since you’re concerned about the space seeming too large, I would ask if they have photos of it setup for a similar guest count.
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  • Dayna
    Expert September 2021
    Dayna ·
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    Our venue seats up to 200 and we only have 120 invited (so probably 100 attending). I've seen pics of it set for 200 and its pretty tight, so I would guess your venue is similar. We are also doing a buffet which will take up a significant amount of space. You could always fill extra space with a photo area, games, a bigger dessert table, etc.

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  • Brianna
    Dedicated December 2019
    Brianna ·
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    When I announced my wedding on social media i said that I want this to be all out FH and I, and in order to do that i need to acknowledge I feel out of place in large crowds so i don’t want one at the wedding. It went over really well, because I think it took the focus off so-and-so not getting an invite and kind of “blamed” it on me- which works since it is my day. I don’t know if you are known for being an introvert, but if you are I’d suggest using some wording along the same lines.
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  • M
    Dedicated October 2019
    M ·
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    I think it’ll be fine! Our venue has a capacity of 300, we only had 100. The dance floor felt a little big but that was great because people were standing on the side joining in when they felt like it. The venue did a great job moving tables in so it felt like we had the place packed. And we were able to give people more room at their tables
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  • Ivy ORP
    VIP October 2019
    Ivy ORP ·
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    We had a few no shows and a few more that couldn't make it, more than we planned, and the venue felt comfortable and perfect for a small number of people. I say lower the number if it works best for you. We were very upfront with friends that we had a very small venue and even though we would have loved to celebrate with everyone, we were going with a smaller, more intimate celebration. No one complained to us and I was very careful not to bring up the wedding in front of those people so it didn't feel rubbed in their faces.

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  • Alyssa
    Super December 2021
    Alyssa ·
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    Did you send out invitations already? If you haven't officially invited anyone, feel free to slash your guest list to just your nearest and dearest.

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  • Leonormorrow
    Dedicated September 2020
    Leonormorrow ·
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    We haven’t yet! Planning to do save the dates around February. There are a few aunts and uncles my mom wants me to invite but I haven’t seen them for years. I think I’ll talk to her soon and see if she’s okay with a decreased count.
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  • Leonormorrow
    Dedicated September 2020
    Leonormorrow ·
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    Thanks this is helpful! I don’t know if we’ll have a dance floor, but maybe play music throughout the venue for people to enjoy at a volume low enough that people can listen and socialise
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  • Alyssa
    Super December 2021
    Alyssa ·
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    It's not up to her! You politely inform her that they won't be coming.

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  • Kelly
    Dedicated October 2019
    Kelly ·
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    Talk to the people at the venue and see how they recommend setting it up for a smaller number. We had 30 people at our wedding, and loved it. I got to visit with everyone, and sit down and enjoy the meal. The way the chairs and table were set up made it feel intimate, and not like the space was too large for the number of people.

    Decreasing guest count thoughts? 1

    Decreasing guest count thoughts? 2
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I think 30-35 is fine for a venue like that.
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  • Leonormorrow
    Dedicated September 2020
    Leonormorrow ·
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    Wow your set up is lovely! Everything looks beautiful!

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  • Delaney
    Savvy December 2020
    Delaney ·
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    We are having a difficult time cutting down our guest list too but I think that you should do what works best for you! I don't think you need to apologize for an intimate wedding since it's your day!! I'm sure the space will feel comfortable with that amount of people in it!

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  • Ruth
    Dedicated September 2021
    Ruth ·
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    Beautiful!
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