POSTED ON

February 13, 2023

Top Tips For Planning A Small Wedding

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Small, intimate weddings are becoming increasingly popular so we have gathered some of our wedding planners and are sharing their top tips for planning a small wedding. Let’s hear what they have to say:

PLANNER NAME: Anastasiia Kogan | Kogan Events

LOCATION: ATLANTA, GA 

Are you planning a small wedding in the Atlanta, Georgia area? Congratulations! At Kogan Events, we specialize in helping couples create their dream weddings, no matter the size. 

Having a small wedding, there is no need to feel like you are sacrificing anything in order to have a more intimate affair. In fact, with careful planning and execution, a small wedding can be even more special than a larger one. By being able to connect with all of your guests, you can create a more meaningful and memorable experience. 

When it comes to planning a wedding, size definitely does not matter. Though it may be tempting to think that planning a smaller wedding is easier than planning a large one, that is not always the case. In fact, many aspects of planning a small wedding are just as challenging – if not more challenging – than planning a large one. 

Our number one tip for having a beautiful and stress free intimate wedding is to hire a wedding planner and designer. We will help you create a beautiful and memorable event that you and your guests will never forget.

Here are just a few reasons why you need a wedding planner and designer, even if you are having a small wedding: 

1. To create a wedding budget 

Wedding planner will help you create a budget and stick to it. With a small wedding, it can be tempting to splurge on a few luxurious items. 

2. To help you choose a venue

Experienced wedding planner and designer will help you choose a venue that fits your style and vision. For a small wedding, a cozy and intimate venue is key. 

3. To help you prioritize 

With a smaller guest list, there is more flexibility and possibility to splurge on the details that are most important to you and your partner. Whether it’s the photographer, the music, or the décor, we will make sure that your priorities are reflected in your wedding.

4. To help you hire vendors 

You need to be able to hire and manage just as many vendors as you would for a large wedding, find the right venue, and design it in a way that it feels special and intimate. We will take care of it for you, so you can relax and enjoy your engagement. 

5. To create a cohesive look and feel for your wedding. 

With a smaller guest list, there is more control over the overall look and feel of your wedding. However, in order to achieve a cohesive look, you will need the help of a professional wedding planner and designer. We will be able to help you select the right flowers, colors, and decor to create the perfect atmosphere for your big day. 

6. To manage all the details. 

With a smaller wedding, there are bound to be more details to manage. This is where a wedding planner and designer can be invaluable. We will be able to take care of all the little details that you may not have time for. From arranging transportation for your guests to setting up the reception venue, we will handle it all. 

7. To ensure that everything runs smoothly. 

Even the best-laid plans can go awry, especially when it comes to weddings. This is why it is essential to have a wedding planner and designer on-hand to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the big day. We will deal with any unexpected problems that may arise, and will make sure that the wedding runs on schedule. 

When planning a small wedding, the focus should be on creating an intimate and personable event. This means that every detail should be carefully considered in order to reflect the couple’s personality and style. While a small wedding lacks the grandeur of a larger affair, it can be just as luxurious and special if planned correctly. 

By hiring a professional wedding planner and designer, you can be sure that your small celebration will be everything you hoped for – and more.

At Kogan Events, we pride ourselves on our ability to create beautiful and memorable weddings for couples in the Atlanta, Georgia area. If you’re planning a small wedding, contact us today to see how we can help you make your vision a reality.

PLANNER NAME: Sacoya Jenkins | Jenkins & Co. Weddings

LOCATION: Charlotte, North Carolina

  1. Consider all inclusive locations that can provide your guests with an overall wedding weekend experience that will really make them feel special and like a VIP.
  2. Consider ways to make the day feel intentional with personalized, meaningful details tailored to your love story and the guests who will be attending.
  3. Consider live entertainment to really help guests have that “party” feel even if it is a small guest count.
Photo by Austin Gros | Silver Celebrations

PLANNER NAME: Johnnie | Johnnie & Co. Events 

LOCATION: Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC

I love small weddings. My top tip is, of course, to still hire a planner before you book any other vendor. Yes, even if your wedding is “just” 30 people! One time a couple had already booked their venue/caterer before hiring Johnnie & Co. Events. This venue took them for everything they had and was laughably overpriced for the location/services they provided. They could’ve not only saved $$$$ if they had consulted with me (or any knowledgeable planner) beforehand, but we undoubtedly would’ve booked a significantly more beautiful venue and had a 3 course plated meal if they had spoken to us first. My second tip is that smaller weddings are a chance to truly connect with guests in a way that is more difficult at a 200 person extravaganza. Be personal. Greet guests with a seating chart composed of envelopes with their names calligraphied on them and a handwritten note inside sharing a special memory or funny anecdote you have of that person. 

PLANNER NAME: Skylar Caitlin | Skylar Caitlin

LOCATION: Destination

If you’re having a hard time figuring out how to narrow down your guest list, consider creating some parameters that will help you choose cut off points for those invited. My husband and I were together for almost 6 years before our wedding date. We decided that our cut off was that we both had to have met the person invited. A popular rule for plus-ones is that the couple must live together or have been dating for longer than 6 months for the plus-one to be included on the invitation. Think about the dynamics of your families and friend-groups, and select the parameters that make sense for you to create a guest list that fits the size of your dream wedding.  

Free Destination Wedding Cost Comparison Guide

PLANNER NAME: Kathryne Carter | Grace and Virtue Events

LOCATION: Washington, DC Area

Having a smaller guest count allows you to be creative with planning your wedding and have a thoughtful and meaningful experience.  When considering how you want to plan the celebration of your marriage, consider what is most important to you and your guests. Doing that will allow you to focus on the wedding aspects that matter most to you. Consider what traditions and special activities you and your guests will enjoy and do during the wedding celebration. When your guest count is smaller, you can focus more on those moments or features. Is food important? You can have special food features or creative food displays. Designing your wedding with a planner can help you identify what you can do and how it can be done with your guest count. Some things to consider when creating your guest list: will children be invited or adults only, will it be immediate friends and family only or will you have a smaller intimate celebration and a less formal gathering with friends and additional guests at a later time. 

PLANNER NAME: Mari Walker | Mart Mari Weddings

LOCATION: Destination Europe

By keeping the guest list small, you will be able to do so many fun pre and post activities with your group. Especially if you decide to have a destination wedding in Europe, you can turn the whole weekend wedding into a week-long wedding with fun activities planned for the whole group. This will be a great opportunity for your closest friends and family to have many experiences together like boat trips on Lake Como, bachelor and bachelorette parties or even turning your cocktail hour into an extended cheese, wine and chocolate tasting. Choosing a destination with plenty to do and a small group, can make it a very memorable experience for years to come. 

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Small wedding tips - a guide to planning a small wedding

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Chancey Charm

Behind this blog is a team of experienced destination wedding planners. With over 350 published weddings and editorials under our brand and over 400 five star reviews collected, we’ve served 800+ happy couples since 2011. We’ve been named a top planner by Southern Living Magazine and featured on Martha Stewart. We’re an affiliate of Jet Set World Travel and love seeing our client’s destination dreams come true. This is our place to trusted planning advice with YOU, so you can plan without the stress.  We also have a heart for educating new planners through the academy, so you’ll be sure to see some of that content here as well.  Cheers!

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