For couples eager to celebrate their love in an intimate setting, planning a small wedding provides the perfect opportunity to focus on what truly matters—your connection and the joy shared with your closest loved ones. While it may be on a smaller scale, an intimate wedding still requires thoughtful planning, especially when it comes to crafting a budget that aligns with both your vision and financial reality. The beauty of a smaller gathering is that it allows for greater flexibility, enabling you to create a heartfelt celebration that feels both meaningful and manageable.

So, how can you effectively budget for your intimate wedding while keeping it personal and special? Let’s explore the steps together!

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Photo Courtesy of Jessilynn Wong Photography

Set a budget and stick to it

Determine what you’re comfortable spending and adhere firmly to this number. Remember, an intimate weddings’ charm often lies in its simplicity and authenticity, not extravagance. Keeping to a budget ensures that your special day highlights the joy of togetherness rather than the cost of opulence. It’s easy to go overboard, even with a smaller guest list, and splurge as if it’s a grand affair. To avoid this, itemize your expenses with a detailed checklist. Thankfully, there are numerous apps and websites created solely to help you budget.

Come up with the guest-list

The guest limit for intimate weddings is typically anywhere from 15 to 50 guests, but of course it is up to you. Look for venues that offer all-inclusive packages—these often include catering, décor, and rentals, saving you time and money. Using a venue that specializes in smaller ceremonies can definitely take the guesswork out of the majority of your planning. Try to book a venue where you can have the reception and ceremony on the same property, removing the need for travel throughout the day.

Make DIY your go-to

One of the easiest ways to save some money and perhaps even use that money towards other parts of your day is to DIY. You can create your own favours, invitations, decorations and opt out of using a wedding planner. With a shorter guest list, these tasks won’t be nearly as overwhelming! Use platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok for inspiration. There are so many tutorials on how to put together the various decorative aspects of the day for weddings with a smaller party.

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Lean on friends and family

If you have any friends or family with a waterfront property, a sizeable backyard, or a beautiful garden, consider asking them to use their home for your wedding day! It’s a great money-saving option, and when you only have a certain number of people attending, there may not be a need to book a venue. If you do go that route, notify any neighbours well in advance of your intentions. You can even butter them up by bringing them a little gift basket of treats and letting them know what time you plan on wrapping up the night.

While not every couple wants a micro-wedding, for those that do, it’s definitely possible to have one without breaking the bank while retaining the meaning and magic behind the day. It’s an opportunity to really share the special occasion with the ones that know and love you best. Happy wedding planning and managing your intimate wedding budget!