It may be difficult to save a spot for everyone in your life as you plan your wedding day. Many large wedding venues offer costly seating arrangements for the ceremony, but other venues accommodate a large wedding reception for an extended guest list. Here are a few ways to have a small wedding with a big reception to ensure you can invite all your loved ones to the occasion.
Choose a Small Wedding Venue for Your Ceremony
Rent a small venue for your ceremony, such as a local chapel, an outdoor garden, or a cozy boutique venue. Keeping the space small provides an intimate ceremony focused on close family and friends. Doing so helps you create a heartwarming and controlled atmosphere as you share your vows and will save you money toward your other wedding expenses.
Livestream the Ceremony for Distant Guests
Worried about excluding extended family or friends? Livestream your wedding ceremony! Provide a virtual invitation link so loved ones can still experience this special moment online.
This option is great for guests who couldn’t afford the travel costs or faced complications before the wedding day. By showcasing the ceremony online (via an invitation-only link), you can cater the ceremony to your needs and guests can celebrate with you by commenting in the livestream chat.
Book a Reception-Only Venue To Host a Big Celebration
Many venues specialize in hosting grand receptions designed to accommodate large guest lists. Reception-only venues often have competitive packages for food, dancing, and décor to create a larger, more inclusive celebration. You can fit your entire extended family and all your friends in one place by having a small wedding with a big reception.
Create Two Sets of Invitations
Design two sets of invitations—one for your ceremony and another for your reception. Doing so lets you clearly define who you want to invite for each event. Keep the ceremony invites personal and exclusive, such as members of your wedding party, while the reception invites include everyone who wants to celebrate the occasion.
Serve Affordable Reception Food Options
A larger reception doesn’t have to break the bank. Choose budget-conscious food options such as buffet-style meals, food trucks, or small plated dishes. By coordinating the onsite catering and decor, you can offer a spread of crowd-pleasing favorites that fit within your budget.
Take plenty of photos on your special day before closing your reception! Guests who couldn’t make it to the ceremony can live out the memories in treasured souvenirs and photos. Celebrate your wedding surrounded by everyone who supported you and your relationship for a meaningful and exciting occasion.
