| very wedding has to be a massive event. A guest list | | | | center of all that attention makes you cringe, an |
| of 250 people, ice sculptures, and cathedral length | | | | intimate wedding may be perfect for you. The |
| trains may not be for you. It can be just as | | | | smallest wedding that I ever attended had 30 guests. |
| wonderful to have a small, intimate wedding as a | | | | The ceremony was conducted in the bride's parents' |
| large, grand one. | | | | house in front of the fireplace. The house was |
| “Small” can be a relative term when | | | | beautifully decorated with flickering candles and |
| discussing wedding size. One couple might consider 80 | | | | gardenias floating in water. The bride came down the |
| guests to be a small wedding. Another bride and | | | | stairs into the living room, and a j.p. held a brief |
| groom might go as small as possible – just the | | | | service while the guests sipped Champagne. Then |
| two of them, a justice of the peace, and a witness. | | | | everyone went to a private dining room in a nearby |
| And, of course, many weddings fall somewhere in | | | | country club for an elegant dinner. It felt more like a |
| between. | | | | very elegant dinner party than a traditional reception |
| The reasons for a small wedding are as variable as | | | | (for instance, there was background music, but no |
| the people who have them. Finances are certainly a | | | | dancing), and it was absolutely perfect for this |
| major reason to keep the guest list down. It is | | | | particular bride. |
| certainly going to be much less expensive to feed 50 | | | | Hosting an intimate wedding does not necessarily |
| people than 150 people. A smaller guest list also | | | | mean omitting any of the elements of a standard |
| allows the couple to rent a smaller venue, which cuts | | | | wedding, but some of them may be scaled down. |
| the costs of flowers and decorations as well. | | | | For instance, in the aforementioned wedding, the |
| Other couples prefer to spend a good sized budget | | | | bride chose a simple ivory wedding gown with an |
| on an intimate wedding so that they can afford to | | | | a-line skirt. She paired it with a beautiful comb in her |
| make all of the details very luxurious. The bride and | | | | hair (no veil), and a small velvet shrug (it was winter). |
| groom might decide that they would rather serve | | | | The bridal jewelry sets that she admired were also |
| caviar and French Champagne to 40 of their dearest | | | | simple, featuring delicate pearls and golden Swarovksi |
| friends than rubber chicken in a banquet hall packed | | | | crystals handcrafted with sterling silver. After looking |
| with guests. Fewer guests also means that you can | | | | at a number of bridal jewelry sets together, the |
| serve more customized dishes that would be | | | | bride's mother surprised her with the one that she |
| impractical to feed to a large crowd. | | | | truly loved as a special bridal shower gift. |
| Wanting only very close friends and immediate family | | | | The important part of that story is that every bride |
| in attendance is also a good reason to keep your | | | | deserves to feel special on her wedding day, |
| wedding small. There is something to be said for | | | | whether her wedding is for 10 people or 100. A |
| having only those that you know very well there to | | | | beautiful dress is a must, and every bride should |
| witness a very special milestone. Perhaps the day will | | | | have flowers to carry. Deciding to have a small |
| be more meaningful if you are surrounded by loved | | | | wedding can be a wonderful option for couples who |
| ones, and not a sea of virtual strangers that your | | | | want their day to be beautiful without feeling |
| parents insisted on inviting. | | | | overwhelming. When it comes to weddings, |
| For every diva bride, there is a shy bride who does | | | | sometimes good things really do come in small |
| not crave the spotlight. If the thought of being the | | | | packages. |