About Small Weddings
Having a wedding that's full of meaning for the bride and groom, rather than simply following tradition, is very important to today's couples. Choosing to have a smaller wedding enables the couple to keep the ceremony and reception intimate and personal, and incorporate the elements that mean the most to them.
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Size
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How small is small? For some couples, a small wedding may simply mean that they have a smaller wedding party, with fewer bridesmaids and groomsmen. For most, keeping the wedding small means limiting the guest list to under 100 people, or perhaps even inviting only immediate family and very close friends.
Benefits
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Small weddings have some unique advantages. Primary among these is greater freedom of choice. With a smaller group to accommodate, it's possible to hold the wedding just about anywhere. It can be held in a local historic location, an art gallery, a park, or can be planned as a weekend event at a vacation destination such as Hawaii or the Florida Keys. Some couples, intent on being really unconventional, may plan a small wedding in a theme park and make that the theme of the wedding.
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Warning
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Couples may have to deal with negative reactions from friends and family who are not invited to the wedding, or well-meaning parents who want to invite their friends and your very distant relatives. It's best to prepare for these types of reactions with an explanation. If you're worried about hurt feelings, plan an informal, open-house style gathering for the rest of your family and friends. If people know they will have a chance to celebrate your marriage with you, they may be less upset at not being included in the actual ceremony and reception.
Misconceptions
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Some think that small weddings are only a reflection of budgetary concerns, and that simply isn't true. In fact, couples choose small weddings for a variety of reasons. A smaller affair is customary for second marriages or a marriage of an older couple. Also, couples planning a destination wedding may have to keep their numbers small due to space constraints of a resort or hotel, or the increased costs of being married in a far-away location.
Considerations
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A small wedding is a unique opportunity to really personalize the ceremony and reception for the couple and for the guests. At some small weddings, the bride and groom may forgo attendants entirely, and have all of the guests act as witnesses. Because a small wedding is by definition unconventional, the bride and groom are more free to depart from the traditional wedding ceremony and incorporate elements that are special to them, such as a blended-family ritual including children, or inviting the guests to each say a few special words. A small wedding can be as simple or lavish as the bride and groom's taste or budget allow, and can be a wonderful way to begin the adventure of a new life together.
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Resources
- Photo Credit © Ase Meistad - stock.xchng
