Your wedding doesn't have to be a large affair filled with hundreds of people you don't know. In fact, you may find that a more intimate ceremony and reception is more your style. To make your smaller wedding a beautiful day you'll always treasure, you'll want to start your planning by finding the right wedding venue. Here are just a few ideas you can use if you are planning a small wedding.
Your Favorite Restaurant
Whether your favorite restaurant is the place you shared your first date or it's simply the place you and your future spouse love to share a meal, consider hosting your wedding at your favorite restaurant. You may be able to rent out a private dining room, or you might be able to convince the management to let you host your wedding after hours. If you aren't sure how to approach this idea, talk to your wedding planner to help lock down the restaurant as your venue of choice.
Loft Wedding Spaces
Loft wedding spaces are a less formal, modern alternative to traditional church weddings and banquet halls. These spaces tend to be a bit smaller, and they are typically located in cities or more urban settings. The more intimate setting creates the feel of an elegant dinner party for you and your guests, and you can sometimes find loft spaces available inside of historic homes and buildings, which gives you a unique backdrop for your ceremony and reception.
Your Living Room
Your home can be your wedding venue, particularly if you are only inviting a few guests. Work with your party planner to arrange for your living room furniture to be moved the day of the wedding, and set up chairs in the space for your wedding ceremony. After it's over, host the reception in the back yard or dining room. You can still hire caterers to serve your guests during the reception, and your planner can help with decorations that transform your living room for your big day.
A Bed And Breakfast
If you want to create the feel of a destination wedding without having to travel too far, consider hosting your wedding weekend at a bed and breakfast. Some of these types of businesses have outdoor spaces, including gazebos or gardens, you can use for the ceremony, along with dining rooms you can use for your dinner party. Because bed and breakfast businesses typically have a limited number of rooms for rent, you can rest easy knowing your wedding weekend won't be filled with strangers like a traditional luxury hotel might be.
Talk to your wedding planner about the exact number of guests you plan on inviting and work together to find the perfect venue for your smaller wedding.
