Small wedding woes?

Re: Small wedding woes?

• KBinRI member

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  We only had about 60 people at ours and it was really perfect. I loved that it was intimate and with just the people closest to us. I don't think it was boring at all -- some danced inside and some hung out in the tent talking and would wander inside in the dance area when a song moved them (or for events like the special dances or the cake cutting.) 

  
  

  People always told me as long as the woman in the white (or ivory in my case) dress is dancing and having fun, others will follow and that's pretty much how it went. Bryan isn't a dancer so he hung out with his cousins, danced a couple of songs with his niece and made the rounds talking to friends. I danced when I wanted but also got to sit and chat with old friends, etc.

  
  

  As for party atmosphere, the fact it's your wedding and everyone is dressed up makes it a party atmosphere! Your DJ really creates a lot of that atmosphere and, even though mine turned out to be a little bit of a dud, my friends vowed to keep the party going and kept requesting better songs than what they were playing. So maybe be really clear if you feel like you need to about providing a good must-play list to keep things moving.

  
  

  Also the decor can help liven things up. We placed small cocktail tables around the dance floor (dinner was under a tent as I mentioned) to encourage people to sit, relax, put their drinks down, etc. We had uplighting that helped change the atmosphere of the space, too.

  
  

  I think the best thing about having a small wedding was I didn't spend the whole reception trying to get around to everyone to say thank you, etc. Some girls on my month board with larger weddings said they felt the night flew by so fast, but we honestly felt like it was just right. We really got to enjoy every bit of it. Some girls said they didn't even get to eat, but not us! :-)

  
  

  I hope that makes you feel a little better about the size of your wedding. Looking back, we probably could have invited more and still made our budget, but I do think it was just perfect the way it was.

  Kristen and Bryan ~ 10-10-10
  

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• chrispygal

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  KBinRI, that is so great to hear!  Our guest list is 60 as well, and I have similar fears.  What if it's boring or lacks atmosphere?  It's good to know that your day was perfect and it was a great party!  

  Married 9.4.11

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• AmyRI member

  

  March 2011 edited December 2011

  I've been married almost 2 years now, hope no one minds me dropping my 2 cents in!
  
  We had 65 guests at our wedding, and I'll agree with KB that it was perfect. We didn't just make it to every table to say "thanks for coming!", we actually got to have conversations with everyone.
  
  As for atmosphere, we were actually expecting the worst, because our families and friends aren't big dancers. But, our DJ made all the difference. Instead of glass klinking, we had people sing songs with "love" in the lyrics to get us to kiss. That got people up and talking with the DJ to have songs played along, or just turn down the music. That turned into people requesting songs all night, and the DJ learning what people's tastes were. There were actually always people dancing... I was amazed!
  
  We also got a TON of compliments on how nice it was to have a small wedding where everyone got to interact with the bride and groom so much. One couple got married a month before us, but had 300 people (mostly their large extended families and their parents' friends) at their ceremony and reception. They said they really regretted giving in to their parents' wishes for a big wedding because they had much more fun at our small one.
  

  
  
  

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• delpadrek09

  

  February 2012

  Hello!
  
  Would you ladies mind letting me know where you got married?  I'm also having a Rhode Island wedding with about 60 guests.  I'm in the process of finding a venue right now and I'm having a lot of trouble.  Everywhere seems extremely expensive or is made to fit 100+ people.
  
  I'd really appreciate any input and advice you have!

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