Does gathering 200 friends and family members together on your wedding day seem like an overwhelming thought? Eloping might have crossed your mind, but perhaps exchanging vows without any of your favorite people present isn’t the solution either. If you prefer intimate gatherings over big crowds, you might want to host your nuptials on a much smaller scale. Small weddings are generally between 30 and 60 guests, while a very small wedding, or a micro wedding, consists of 20 or fewer guests. However, what one couple considers “small” might not be the exact definition that another duo has in mind—so what constitutes a small wedding is ultimately up to you. 

The benefits of throwing a small wedding are endless. A more intimate affair will allow you to focus on personalization, thereby creating a more meaningful experience for you and your guests. At large weddings, many couples find themselves bopping around to different groups of people, so they’re never able to fully connect with their favorite people. Small weddings, on the other hand, give you the ability to spend more quality time with loved ones. Not to mention, since you’ll be feeding fewer heads, you’ll lower the overall bill, or you’ll have more room within your budget to splurge on some of your top priorities.

Just because you’re shrinking your event down to a cozy size doesn’t mean you have to skimp on any of the details. In fact, fewer guests and a bigger budget means you can go all out on some of your decorations and activities, whether it’s an interactive drink display at cocktail hour, a statement overhead installation at your reception, or a fireworks show at the end of the evening. Scaling back your guest list also means you’ll have to think strategically about your venue, floor plan, timeline, and any other logistics. 

Below, we cover all of the planning details you’ll need to keep in mind, plus inspiration for dressing up your event and using the space wisely, according to wedding planners. Ahead, 40 small wedding ideas for an intimate affair.