Thoughts

I’m having a small wedding! About 50 people. And keeping it small helps with costs for sure. Also look for a weekday or Friday/Sunday option as many venues will discount versus a Saturday. Cheaper catering like bbq, Italian, etc. and limited alcohol such as beer/wine only can help too.

Lots and lots of people have small weddings, that size and smaller, and they end up being intimate, personal, meaningful, and fabulous!! I say go for it!

And good for you for considering costs - outspending your means for a one day affair is something I've never quite gotten. Maybe a nice brunch? Daytime venue prices might be less, and alcohol costs, if any, certainly less. Good luck!

I've heard of couples inviting hundreds of people. It's mind boggling. I prefer smaller weddings. As a bride, I'd hate for someone to come up to me and I can't really remember their name or where I know them from. Sure, a smaller wedding should (theoretically) cost less since you won't have to provide as much food, drink, space, invitations, thank you cards, etc.

Some of the things we opted for saving on:
1. We bought card stock from Hobby Lobby and had a local print shop to print the info.
2. We used silk flowers.
3. His grandmother cooked most of the reception food.
4. I did the cake. I would not recommend this!
5. We skipped the favors.

We’re having a small wedding (under 60) with a small budget of $1,000
Our venue is our church hall
No DJ
No full meal just cake, drinks, appetizers. This means our wedding will be mid afternoon. Catering will probably be Chipotle or Panera.
I found my dress at a thrift store
Skipping favors
Going to be doing a lot of thrifting/ dollar store in the next few months.
Our theme is the movie Up. Balloons are cheap lol
Skipping paper invites except for those who don’t do computers. Since we’re re only inviting close family/ friends I doubt anyone cares that we’re not doing paper ones.
My sister and mom will be providing ceremony music.

There’s lots of ways to cut back, especially if you search for things without using the term “wedding”.

Who do you deal with the people who are upset they weren't invited...

*how. sorry

It’s shocking to me that 60 guest wedding is considered small!

My wedding is only 50 guest

I'm having a tiny wedding of about 25 guests including us and is gonna be courthouse and a tiny party at my sister's house.
Save? Less people, less mouths to feed, less tables, less chairs. Small "venue"? Less decorations to buy!

Mine is 30 people and I perfect with tht it’s really up to you there isn’t any thought to it! Do what you feel is comfortable for you and affordable and you’ll be fine! Good luck hun and congrats

We’re having a small wedding this September and we’re inviting about 75 (including 7 children), but I only see about 60-65 max actually coming. It’s definitely made things a little less stressful than they could be. It’s going to be a more laid back wedding, which makes it easier to cut costs in different places.

Here’s a few ways we have cut costs:
1. Our reception venue includes the tables and chairs, but we are responsible for set up and break down. We’ve enlisted some family friends to take care of that for us as well as decorate the space, which saved on hiring someone to do any of that.
2. We’re going to get simple food for cocktail hour probably just from Costco (cheese, veggies, and fruit trays, etc).
3. We hired a food truck from a local Italian restaurant. It’ll just be pizza, pasta, and salad. Some of our families will for sure have something to say about us serving pizza, but it’s so us and that’s what it’s all about, right?
4. The food truck cost includes paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware so we’re just going to use that instead of buying or renting “nicer” stuff. Easier clean up and less costly.
5. Instead of having a full bar, we’re just having an assortment of self-serve canned beer and probably boxed wine.
6. I’m not wearing an actual wedding gown. I got a really beautiful champagne Calvin Klein evening gown from Macy’s for about $120.
7. We’re not having a wedding party. I’ve never really liked the concept and it’ll save us money as well as our friends/siblings.
8. We’ll be making the centerpieces and decorations ourselves. It will be very simple. Fresh greenery instead of flowers is so much cheaper!

Just make it what you want. Don’t worry about what your family and friends may think/say. It’s your day.

I'm having a smaller wedding as well. And around 60 was our original estimate though it's gone up since then... I'd say the most expensive things that I've run into are venues and flowers.

For venue since you'll be having a wedding in August you could do an outdoor wedding at a park. I hear that's usually cost effective as far as venue goes and plus you get to have awesome outdoor photos.

As for flowers which to me have been the most insane thing. I'd find some creative ways to decorate. Maybe some candles, greenery, and etc. My sister went to a wedding not too long ago where they put some freshy cut tree branches and put them in some vases. I think if you can do a lot of DIY for decor that will save a HUGE chunk right there.

Yes!!! Us too! We’re getting married on a Thursday and in the “off season” though it will still be beautiful out. Our venue is really great at working with our budget as well. If you can shop around for vendors who are flexible working with you, go for it!

I’m having a small wedding. I’ve just made it clear to people that is IS small and we are only inviting family and super close friends. We’ve cut down on the costs by having the venue on a Friday. Actually, since it’s so small we’ve been able to splurge a little bit more on some things we wouldn’t have been able to if it were bigger. But I know that the catering prices can fluctuate significantly based on your package and menu, that’s one thing you can play around with for numbers. I’ve seen people with photographers/videographers who have less experience which cost half the price. You can cut back on little things like party favors (no one seems to care about them or just do something VERY simple). Djs seem to be cheaper than bands. Shop around for cake prices. All little things that can make a difference

My wedding is capped at 65 people. Those who ask about being invited are told it is a family only event.
As for money saving, doing my own decorations from sales at hobby stores helps

View Quoted Comment You simply say, "oh gosh, we wish we could have everyone we love right there with us, but we are doing things a little differently and having just a small gathering. But let's get together soon - we'd love to see you!"

And, by the way, this isn't unique to small weddings....even those of us having large events have to deal with this! Ugh!

We’re doing a small 40 person wedding and I’m super excited we don’t have to pay the huge amount and it’ll be everyone we feel must be there. To save money here is our budget layout:

dress: bought second hand on stillwhite.com (brand new but for a used price)
food: “cake and punch reception” snack foods-fruits, veggies, meat/cheese/crackers, cookies
alcohol: 2 sangria punches
cake: getting it made at a local grocery store
venue: historic mansion in the off-season & doesn’t need decor
music: Spotify premium
Total spent at the end will be under $4000

We're having a small, intimate wedding of about 20 people - just our parents, siblings, and a few very close friends. We're getting married at a Bed and Breakfast - We will have a ceremony, a cocktail hour, a formal dinner, followed by cake/desserts and coffee -- which is all included with the venue. Because our guest list is small, we are able to splurge a little on things we otherwise wouldn't.

The B&B is beautiful so we don't need much décor.

Our friends are musicians, so they will do our "first dance" song. The rest of the music will just be Spotify.

My FIL and his neighbor are growing us flowers.

But honestly, the best way to cut costs is with the guest list.

We are planning on having a casual party the following summer to celebrate our marriage with people that aren't going to be at the wedding. At first we felt bad about not inviting everyone, but you have to remember that this is your day and do whatever is best for you both. You are the ones getting married, not your guests. You don't need to apologize for being you.

Good luck!!

We're inviting 75 including us, and probably expect no more than 55-60 to show.

Best tips (other than keeping it small) - have your wedding on an off day or time. Our brunch wedding is costing us a third of what weddings typically do in our area, bring your own booze if you can, think alternative foods/catering, and don't blow your budget on a dress you'll wear once.

That is a wonderful idea because it does or would cut down cost in other area of the wedding. My biggest cost was my venue and I am looking good deals to make my wedding day special.