There are a lot of good reasons to keep a wedding reception small. Maybe yours is a destination wedding and only a handful of guests are able to attend. Maybe you can only afford to throw a small reception. Maybe you want your reception to be low-key and family-oriented, or you're throwing a party well after the actual wedding date. All of these are good reasons for throwing a small wedding reception. Here are tips to make it a magical one.
1. Choose a spectacular venue
Having a small party means that you can have it nearly anywhere. Consider your likes and dislikes, your hobbies, your obsessions. Do you love art? Have your reception at a museum or art gallery. Do you have a favorite mom-and-pop restaurant? Reserve a couple tables there, or reserve the whole restaurant on a Sunday. Do you love movies? Rent a small theater room and have a private showing of a romantic movie, then turn up the lights and serve cake and champagne with home movies of the two of you playing on the screen. Take the whole party to an amusement park, dude ranch, or island getaway. Rent a party room at a bowling alley or casino. If the party is small enough, you could even throw the reception at a day spa or other retreat.
2. Choose one aspect and make it really glam
If you choose to go a more traditional route and have a hotel or garden venue for your wedding, you can still make it amazing by choosing one aspect of the reception and making it stand out. Instead of a disc jockey, hire a small orchestra, a guitar trio, a soloist, or a live band. Instead of finger foods and chicken and steak, serve lobster and shrimp cocktail. Have a wedding cake to put all other wedding cakes to shame. Transform your backyard into a frothy, flowery wedding getaway. Hire a circus troupe or magician to perform at the reception.
3. Make it intimate or casual
A small wedding reception is already intimate in nature. If your family and friends are very close or you want to give them a chance to get to know each other better, throw a casual party that encourages relaxation and conversation. Create conversation areas where guests can sit and talk comfortably. Have the reception in a small restaurant where guests can relax, drink, and dance. Make it a casual beach reception where shoes are not allowed. Host a picnic at the park or have a backyard barbecue or potluck. Focus on joining the two families together and enjoy yourselves.
4. Dress it down
If it is a small party, it doesn't have to cost very much at all. Instead of renting a hall or restaurant, host the party in your backyard or in your apartment's community room. Instead of hiring a DJ, make a playlist on your mp3 player or have a young relative cue up CDs for dancing. Cater it yourself by making your own appetizers or wedding cake. Drink, dance, laugh, and have a wedding you'll never forget, no matter what the size.
1. Choose a spectacular venue
Having a small party means that you can have it nearly anywhere. Consider your likes and dislikes, your hobbies, your obsessions. Do you love art? Have your reception at a museum or art gallery. Do you have a favorite mom-and-pop restaurant? Reserve a couple tables there, or reserve the whole restaurant on a Sunday. Do you love movies? Rent a small theater room and have a private showing of a romantic movie, then turn up the lights and serve cake and champagne with home movies of the two of you playing on the screen. Take the whole party to an amusement park, dude ranch, or island getaway. Rent a party room at a bowling alley or casino. If the party is small enough, you could even throw the reception at a day spa or other retreat.
2. Choose one aspect and make it really glam
If you choose to go a more traditional route and have a hotel or garden venue for your wedding, you can still make it amazing by choosing one aspect of the reception and making it stand out. Instead of a disc jockey, hire a small orchestra, a guitar trio, a soloist, or a live band. Instead of finger foods and chicken and steak, serve lobster and shrimp cocktail. Have a wedding cake to put all other wedding cakes to shame. Transform your backyard into a frothy, flowery wedding getaway. Hire a circus troupe or magician to perform at the reception.
3. Make it intimate or casual
A small wedding reception is already intimate in nature. If your family and friends are very close or you want to give them a chance to get to know each other better, throw a casual party that encourages relaxation and conversation. Create conversation areas where guests can sit and talk comfortably. Have the reception in a small restaurant where guests can relax, drink, and dance. Make it a casual beach reception where shoes are not allowed. Host a picnic at the park or have a backyard barbecue or potluck. Focus on joining the two families together and enjoy yourselves.
4. Dress it down
If it is a small party, it doesn't have to cost very much at all. Instead of renting a hall or restaurant, host the party in your backyard or in your apartment's community room. Instead of hiring a DJ, make a playlist on your mp3 player or have a young relative cue up CDs for dancing. Cater it yourself by making your own appetizers or wedding cake. Drink, dance, laugh, and have a wedding you'll never forget, no matter what the size.
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