| Why on earth would anyone want to throw a smaller | | | | this is an important area for the wedding of your |
| wedding? In these days of over-the-top celebrity | | | | dreams, then catering or dining out at a fine restaurant |
| weddings and spending enough on a wedding to put | | | | are far more likely to fit within your budget. But you |
| you in debt for years to come, you don't hear much | | | | may equally enjoy a potluck or a buffet or even an |
| about small weddings. But they are making a | | | | afternoon of hors d'ourves. A smaller wedding allows |
| comeback, particularly for those brides who prefer a | | | | you the freedom to pursue the wedding you really |
| more personal, intimate atmosphere. That's why I | | | | want for yourself. |
| wanted to share some small wedding ideas with you | | | | Small Wedding Ideas |
| in this article. | | | | Here are several unique small wedding ideas that can |
| First, though, let me clarify a few things. A small | | | | make your wedding day memorable for the rest of |
| wedding does not mean an informal wedding, or a | | | | your life: |
| simple wedding, or a cheap wedding (though obviously, | | | | 1. Since the whole idea behind an intimate wedding is to |
| because the guest list is dramatically reduced, there | | | | share the day with close family and friends, consider |
| can be significant savings). It simply refers to the size | | | | making your own wedding favors. For instance, a |
| of the guest list. Instead of inviting your best friend's | | | | homemade goodie basket of cookies, breads, and |
| great aunt from Pittsburgh, the guest list and wedding | | | | candies. Or personalized CDs created with the music |
| party are confined to a small circle of close relatives | | | | that you and your loved ones enjoy. The point here is |
| and friends. How small? Often as small as only ten to | | | | to make your wedding favors as personal as possible. |
| fifteen people. | | | | 2. How about having your guests sign and write a |
| Beyond sharing the most important day of your life | | | | personal sentiment on a tablecloth? Then, at a later |
| with a small, intimate group of friends, a small wedding | | | | date, you can have the signatures and sentiments |
| allows you the freedom to focus on those areas of | | | | permanently embroidered into the tablecloth as a |
| the wedding that are most important to you and might | | | | family keepsake. |
| otherwise have been out of your reach. | | | | 3. Make your own wedding invitations, personalizing |
| For instance, a smaller wedding makes a destination | | | | each one with a special sentiment. You can design |
| wedding far more practical than a large wedding. A | | | | them completely from scratch, choosing the paper you |
| destination wedding is exactly as it sounds ... the | | | | want, adding dried flowers or bows, or even adding |
| wedding is held out of town, at a setting that meets | | | | your own background image if you're talented in this |
| the interests of the bride and groom. Las Vegas is a | | | | area (or know someone who's talented). |
| destination wedding. A theme park, such as Disney | | | | 4. Instead of the usual reception activities, try activities |
| World, is a destination wedding. There really are few | | | | that you know your guests enjoy. For instance, if your |
| limitations ... a mountain lodge, a beach house, a bed | | | | family and friends enjoy board games, run a |
| and breakfast, a ski trip, etc. When the wedding party | | | | tournament with the winner taking home a gift basket |
| and guest list are small, a destination wedding | | | | of games. Or try a scavenger hunt, or a softball game, |
| becomes much easier to achieve. | | | | or a trip to a local movie theater. |
| But what if you'd like to keep things simple? | | | | The idea behind a smaller wedding is to share your |
| The reception for a small wedding can be held in the | | | | special day with only a few special people. Since the |
| intimate, comfortable setting of a family member's | | | | size of the wedding party and guests is easily |
| home. It can be held at the favorite restaurant of the | | | | manageable, small weddings ideas often allow you to |
| bride and groom. It can be held out doors at a favorite | | | | pursue the wedding of your dreams when otherwise it |
| park, or in the backyard of your best friend. With these | | | | wouldn't be possible. Whether it's a fancy, elegant |
| more intimate weddings, your options are nearly | | | | wedding or a few close friends sharing a common |
| unlimited. | | | | interest, the choice is yours. Make your intimate |
| You also have more leeway in your food choices. If | | | | wedding a wedding that you'll never forget. |