Advantages and Disadvantages of Small and Large Weddings

One of the first questions that engaged couples need to answer when they begin to plan their wedding is whether they should have a small wedding or a big wedding. Some lucky couples agree right away, but others end up with one hoping for 40 guests and the other wanting to have 300. When you can't decide how big to have your wedding, think about these considerations.

Small and Large Weddings: Cost

The first big consideration that most couples make is the cost of the wedding. If you have lots of guests, you will need more wedding invitations, a bigger wedding venue, more food to be catered at your wedding reception, and more wedding favors. This is a huge financial cost, not to mention all the time and brain power that are required to make that all work out.

Small and Large Weddings: Presents

Not that this should be a huge consideration, but it is worth mentioning that people who come to your wedding are pretty much guaranteed to bring you a present. So you could theoretically come out on top by paying all the extra expenses to have them as a guest at your wedding. Of course, a lot of times, even people who are not invited to your wedding, or who are not able to come, will send you gifts as well.

Small and Large Weddings: Destination Wedding

One huge advantage of a small wedding is that you have the option of making it a destination wedding. You and your immediate family and close friends can all travel to an exotic location and get married on the beach, enjoying a week of luxury vacation together (and that's all still before the honeymoon). You just can't do that if you have 200 guests, although it's mostly because it's hard to get that many people to pay to fly somewhere expensive.

Small and Large Weddings: Inclusion of Special People

The biggest argument for having a large wedding is that everybody who wants to come will be invited. This means that nobody will feel left out, you won't feel bad for having to leave anybody out, and you will be surrounded on your wedding day by many people who you really enjoy.

Of course, this has a downside as well, mainly that it is possible for you to feel a little guilty for having so many people come to your wedding, and only getting to spend about 30 seconds of focused time with each person because so many of them are there.

Small and Large Weddings: Wedding Venues

Lastly, there are a number of places that can accommodate 50 guests at a wedding, but not quite as many that can deal with a guest list of 400. When you are thinking about how big of a wedding to have, think about where you want to have it, and how many people can fit there. If you are set on getting married in your home church that seats 100, you will need to limit your wedding to 100 guests.