Thinking of a grand wedding? Or a more intimate one?

One of the questions couples must ask themselves as they start preparations for the wedding is the number of people they plan to invite. Some brides and grooms come from large families with many cousins, aunts, and uncles. Others have multiple friend groups—not to mention officemates, childhood friends, and so on. But should you invite all of them? Or can you still keep your celebration as small and intimate as possible? Should you have a large or small wedding celebration?

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Pros & Cons of Large Wedding Celebrations

Is it as they say—the bigger, the better?

Pros of Large Weddings

1. More guests—this allows for a bigger celebration and is a great way to bring together family and friends to celebrate with you.

2. Variety of vendors—with a larger guest list, you’ll sometimes find it easier to negotiate with suppliers, venues, and other wedding service providers thus ending up with more options to select from.

Cons of Large Weddings

1. Cost—large weddings can be significantly more expensive as they require a bigger venue, more food, and other services.

2. Less intimate—with a bigger guest list, let’s be practical, you won’t have that much time to spend with individual guests.

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Pros & Cons of Intimate Wedding Celebrations

Are smaller weddings the new trend?

Pros of Intimate Weddings

1. Meaningful connections—with a smaller guest list, you’ll invite only those you have a special relationship with as a couple.

2. Flexibility—with a small wedding guest list, you can be more flexible when it comes to venue, scheduling, and logistics.

Cons of Intimate Weddings

1. Limited guest list—intimate weddings require fewer people, which may be challenging for couples with large families or social circles.

2. Limited vendors—some vendors may not be willing to work with smaller weddings or may charge higher to offset costs.

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Should I Have a Large or Intimate Wedding Celebration?

Here are some things you can consider if you are having a hard time deciding between having a large or intimate wedding celebration:

1. Think about your relationship with your guests. Do you have a close relationship with all of them? Are you comfortable celebrating with a big crowd, or do you prefer a smaller group?

2. Be realistic about your budget. Consider the financial implications of each option. While large weddings can be expensive because more guests mean you have to provide more food, costs for intimate weddings can add up too, depending on the location, vendors, and other factors.

3. Consider your priorities. What is important to you as a couple? Do you want to focus on spending time with as many family and friends and hold a lively, energetic wedding or have a more laid-back, intimate experience with a few of your nearest and dearest?

Ultimately, the decision lies with you and your partner. There’s no right or wrong way to do a wedding. What matters most is what is important to you for your special day.