Conventional wisdom holds that engaged couples can save money by planning smaller weddings. Scaled-down events usually cost less since they don’t require as much food, amenities, and space. Yet downsized celebrations may not be realistic for couples with large families or social circles. If you feel torn between practicality and your emotions, take heart. Planning your wedding may not be easy, but a few tips can help you tackle vital details for an event that closely aligns with your vision.
The Relationship Between Costs and Numbers
When you start to plan your wedding, one of the first things you’ll need to figure out is the guest count. Most wedding advice emphasizes the interrelationship between your numbers and your budget and suggests that smaller is cheaper. In most cases, that adage holds true. NerdWallet reported The Knot’s statistics revealing that the average American wedding prices out at around $34,000. Yet that figure can be skewed by high-end affairs with hefty price tags plus higher-than-average food and service expenses in some regions of the country. With typical guest counts sitting between 130 and 150, that works out to a cost of between $225 and $260 per person.
These are important details to remember as you set your guest count. If you live in an area such as New Mexico or Mississippi, you’ll likely spend less. New Yorkers, on the other hand, will probably drop between $60,000 and $75,000. For these reasons, you should consider average costs as only a guideline and pay more attention to prices in your region.
Large, Medium, or Small?
Martha Stewart Weddings discusses guest counts and wedding sizes. It’s sometimes easy to misconstrue what constitutes a large, medium, or small affair, but Aleesha Thomas provides a helpful breakdown:
- Small weddings: usually 50 guests or less
- Medium-sized weddings: between 50 and 150 attendees
- Large weddings: more than 150 persons present
It’s vital to keep these categories in mind as you plan. They’ll give you a better sense of what “small” or “large” actually means and guide you toward a gathering that best fits your goals.
In addition to your budget, you should consider your social circle and your comfort levels. Wedding Wire’s Stephanie Weers lays out some advantages to a smaller ceremony and reception. If you’re an introvert, struggle with organization, deal with social anxiety, want a wide range of venue choices, or desire more manageable planning, a smaller event or even a micro-wedding may be the perfect solution.
Bigger Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Pricier
On the other hand, some couples face the challenge of catering to big crowds on tight budgets. In these cases, slashing the guest list may not be possible. Fortunately, A Practical Wedding’s Maggie Eisenhart offers useful suggestions. She shares advice from author Meg Keene, who recommends starting by listing the people you want at your event and then figuring out what you can afford as a host. Eisenhart also cites another article advising couples to get creative and look at inexpensive nonconventional venue options. The Balance chimes in with more possibilities including skipping unneeded extras, cutting back on floral arrangements, renting attire, simplifying décor, and sourcing used items such as vases or candleholders.
Minding Your Dollars and Sense
With both time and economic pressures, many couples grapple with planning weddings that match their visions. Some opt to scale down their celebrations with smaller numbers to free up money in their budgets. Yet for others, this is either undesirable or not feasible. How do you figure out what type of event to host? You’ll need to consider some important factors before making your decision. No matter what you choose, it’s wise to weigh all your priorities and aim for an enjoyable wedding that meets your goals.
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