How to Decide How Big Your Wedding Should Be
Wedding planning is an exciting yet challenging journey. One of your most important decisions is determining how many people to invite. Should you choose an intimate gathering or go all out with an extravagant event? Here’s how to decide how big your big day should be, considering factors like family size and the kind of experience you want to create for you and your guests.
1. Think About Your Ideal Celebration
Take a moment to imagine your ideal wedding. What would it look like? Do you see a party with hundreds of guests or picture a more intimate gathering with your core people? How do you feel about standing and dancing in front of a crowd?
Are you at a church, on the beach or overseas? Do you want it to be a full-on party or a relaxed celebration?
These questions will help you envision your ideal wedding. Reflect on it with your partner, list your non-negotiables and agree on a single vision.
2. Choose What Type of Wedding to Have
Once you have a vision, decide what time of wedding to have. Here are the standard options:
Elopement
Traditionally, elopement happens when couples secretly run away to tie the knot. Today, it’s celebrated with immediate families and a few close friends. The standard is to keep the count under a dozen so it’s intimate. If desired, you can host a grand party with friends and other family members after the ceremony.
Microwedding
As its name suggests, this type of celebration has a guest count of around 50 people, but the day still flows like a traditional wedding. A microwedding is ideal if you want to invest more in the guest experience rather than the number of attendees. It is also the perfect type if you wish to invite immediate family and friends exclusively.
Medium Wedding
A medium wedding has between 60 and 150 guests, making it the most popular choice for couples. This is ideal for a beautiful theater or a rustic barn as a venue. It’s suitable if you and your partner only want to invite the “musts” of your families and some friends.
Large Wedding
A large wedding best suits your needs if you envision a major party of more than 150 guests. Naturally, you’ll need a massive venue such as a banqueting hall, studio, botanical garden or large hotel to accommodate the crowd.
3. Consider Your Family Size
A medium or large guest list is inevitable if you’re close to many family members. Should you need to trim down, consider the following tips:
- Send evening-only invites: Some people can skip the ceremony but join the party at the reception.
- Don’t invite plus ones: Not everyone has to attend with their significant other, especially if you don’t know them.
- Ask the “dinner” question: Ask yourself if you are willing to sit down for dinner with everyone you invite. This ensures your guest list only includes people who truly matter to you and your future spouse.
4. Set Your Budget
Think about your realistic budget, as it will determine the size of your celebration and how many people you should invite. Couples spend an average of $30,000 to cover ceremony and reception costs, but you can go below or above this number. For instance, a larger budget but a short list of attendees means you can splurge on guest experience or invite more friends.
5. Factor in Your Ideal Vibe
Your event size will directly impact the day’s atmosphere. For instance, an elopement tends to be a more laid-back celebration, while a large wedding provides a festive mood. Discuss with your partner the ideal vibe you want on your big day.
6. Stick to Your Priorities
Stay true to your and your partner’s vision. Just because you have a budget for a large venue doesn’t mean you should book it. Many people prioritize guest experience and splurge on a few attendees, giving you more freedom to make your day memorable for everyone.
Having a budget that can cover 150 guests may translate to flying 20 people to a dreamy location for a destination wedding. It could also mean having a small celebration of 30 at a place you couldn’t afford with 80 people.
Enjoy the Planning Process
Finalizing your and your partner’s decision may take time. However, don’t forget to enjoy and have fun in the process. Weighing your priorities, budget and other aspects will help you plan an unforgettable wedding, no matter the size.
Author – Cora Gold
Cora Gold is a wedding enthusiast with over six years of experience writing about trends, traditions and more. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.
