Small Wedding...what are most haves?

I would say a program is definitely not a necessity. I wouldn’t spend the money on it. Of course food is important lol and you can make your table placements/centerpieces super simple.

A must have for any size wedding is comfort and hospitality for your guests. Make sure they have plenty of good food and free drinks for the whole event. Make sure every person has a chair to sit in for both the ceremony and the reception. If your wedding is outside then make sure the climate is appropriate - not too hot/sunny and not raining - and that you have a plan B if it is too hot/sunny or raining. Even if the weather is decent you still should have some shade and areas where the guests can get out from under the sun. Have good quality bathrooms available. Anything that does not enhance your guests' experience is not necessary. Once you have created an event that your guests will enjoy and you have additional money to spare then go on to the extra items like programs, etc.

We did programs because some of my students had a hand in making them, but we had a lot left over. So if you do them, think of how many you need and half it lol. My family and his made the food. We did pick ups since it was so late. My sister made cheesecakes instead of a cake and that was the most popular thing we had! Even though we got married in a church we had casual dress (khakis for groom and my boys, a longer dress for his daughter, and I didn’t have a train or a veil). We had fake flowers and only I had a bouquet. None of that was required. As long as you have an officiant, you and your FH, a place for people to sit down, and some food/drink, I’d think anything else is optional. We had a dry wedding- I know most people here will say alcohol is required but it isn’t. No I eat our wedding drinks except for my husbands parents and they knew from day 1 there would be no alcohol. I never heard a word about it and my mil is VERY outspoken lol!

“No one at our wedding”. Sorry

Programs are unnecessary. What do you mean by table placements? I always advocate assigned seating at weddings because it's beyond awkward for guests who don't know anyone to try and find a table, and you end up with weird numbers of people and it's just bad! But I don't know why assigned table placements should cost anything, except escort cards which can be done on the CHEAP (I spent $12 on mine). Anyway, if you mean table centerpieces, I think tables would look a little sad without any kind of decoration, but again this doesn't have to cost much! Vases can be found cheaply from the dollar store or even secondhand stores for a vintage, mismatched look, and just put a small spray of fake leaves and flowers in - done!

Other than that, the "must haves" for a wedding IMO: officiant and license, food (unless you're just doing afternoon tea or are starting your ceremony after 8pm in which case just desserts or light snacks are ok but a meal is always better), provide your guests with a full meal, be it brunch, lunch, or dinner), FREE alcohol (unless you don't imbibe for religious/cultural reasons), entertainment (if your budget is really low a playlist and an ipod will do the trick), wedding attire (there are all kinds of ways to save money on dresses and tuxes, do a search online for inspiration), and a photographer (obviously won't matter to your guests but if you don't get your day professionally photographed, you're likely to regret your lack of pictures from your big day! You'll also need invitations, but especially if your crowd is mostly younger, the stigma of e-invitations is starting to go away - but maybe print a few paper ones for your grandparents and great-aunt Sally, and some for you to keep.

I'm having a small budget friendly wedding. About 30 people will be there. I've made my centerpieces. It's country themed so it's really easy to find cheap decorations. We aren't going way all out. I've got in decorations terms. Table cloths,Mason jars and flowers,ceramic cowboy boot for the gift table,Mr and Mrs banner for our chairs,string lights,a rustic glass house as our card box,table runners,burlap Garland for our arch,few signs that are home made and my FFIL made us wooden disks to put the jars on from a tree in his backyard. There a few more I cant think of but all together we spent like $150 on decorations. Then we have the food,drinks,doing our own music,getting our cake from publix. Our venue has a arch,tables,chairs and tiki bar we can use. In all the whole wedding is about $1,300. I'm really good at researching for sales and stuff so alot of the decorations I got 40-70%off.

Oh and a good friend of mine is doing our photography as our wedding gift.

Programs are not needed a lot of people end up throwing them away

A photographer! My oldest daughter had 11 people at her wedding and it was awesome, but my biggest regret was not hiring a photographer.

I would definitely skip the program. They all get left behind and people look at it for a second and then never look at it again. If you aren't assigning tables then there is no need for table placements but if you are having assigned seats you really need those.

Like everyone else, i would skip the programs, i am also having a small wedding, the big thing that i have been focusing on is comfort for my guest. Food, drink, seats, covered area etc!

All that you must have are you, your partner, a license and officiant.

I know what you mean though. To host a reception just make sure that every bum has a seat, there is food and drink and that you have an option for bad weather (or heat or cold). The food doesn't have to be fancy, just plentiful and considerate of your guest's dietary needs. The decor is all optional but I think it would be nice to have some. Candle or greenery heavy centerpieces are beautiful and don't have to be pricey. There are lot's of simple and elegant options (I personally love floating candles with petals!!). Music is nice but some speakers and a play-list can work if a DJ isn't within your budget. You also don't need a fancy bouquet but if you do want one, talk to your florist about what flowers are least expensive or check out costco or something.

I personally wouldn't skimp on photography. That's one part of your wedding that you get to keep forever. You might not agree though. I think it's important for you and FH to sit down and decide what your priorities are. Everyone values different things. For FH and I, videography was really important but there are plenty of people on here who are so happy they didn't shell out for video. I honestly wasn't super picky about my flowers, for some, that was a really important detail.

In general, being flexible is a great way to save money. If you're willing to shop around and try not to get your heart set on something specific, you're much more likely to stick to your budget. The best way to save money though: keep your guest count low!!

View Quoted Comment This is helpful. thank you!

View Quoted Comment Tha k you so much for your input. It helps get the priorities in line on what I still need to work on

Programs are only important if you are having a religious ceremony with lots of audience participation, as no one wants to be fumbling with unfamiliar responses and it is much easier to read them from a program than to follow an unfamiliar prayer book. But in that case you can print them inexpensively at Staples or the like and just fold or staple them yourself.

Food, beverages (doesnt need to be alcohol, and should definitely include things that arent cause dehydration is the worst feeling and alcohol makes it worse), a place to sit, and protection from the elements are all that are needed to make guests comfortable. Even music is an extra if you are not into dancing. I have been to a wedding which was just a dinner after the ceremony at a restaurant (private room) with no music and it was still nice.

We are having ours at my clients home, 40 people total. No programs but we are having seating chart so that one of my good friends that has a sailors mouth is not seated so close to an elderly more conservative couple that will be there 😂 we really wont have a dance floor set up, just so people dont get too wild (although wie will purchase insurance) so we will have yard games, a photo booth, a smores table for the fire pit, and possibly a caracature artist.
Just make sure you have plenty of food, toilet paper (as well as enough restrooms) something to keep them entertained, constant music, wedding insurance, a back up plan for weather and enough parking space