Petite weddings have gained popularity since 2020, offering a more intimate, personalized, and manageable alternative to larger celebrations. Petite weddings are typically known for having a guest list of 50 or fewer and often have a shortened timeline compared to all-day wedding events. This hits a sweet spot for certain couples. Here are some tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect petite wedding.

Nelson + Johnson Wedding - Paula Dittrich

1. So You Decided to Go Petite...Time to Define Your Vision

Before diving into the details, take some time to envision your ideal celebration. Discuss with your partner the aspects that are most important to both of you. Do your priorities lean toward a specific season, aesthetic, venue, vibe/atmosphere, or style of entertainment? Do you envision a more casual, comfortable, hospitable environment for your favorite people or a dazzling party where each guest gets VIP treatment? Having a clear vision will guide your decisions ahead.

Beine + Merwin Wedding - Claire Chantel Photography

2. Understand Your Budget

A smaller wedding can be cost-effective or it can be high-end depending on which way you spin it. Determine your budget early on and prioritize spending in areas that matter most to you.

If you are taking the cost-effective route, inviting fewer guests will be your greatest help since food and beverage for a larger group tends to be one of the highest ticket items for an event. Besides food and beverage, going petite could also be cost-effective by needing fewer staff and quantities of centerpieces, tables, chairs, and linen rentals, place settings, and favors...the little things add up. When petite weddings take a more casual route, other cost-effective measures might be forgoing a DJ and using the venue's sound system, paying a hobby photographer to take pictures instead of hiring a professional service, creating floral arrangements, and having a friend officiate the ceremony.

On the contrary, if you are taking the high-end route, you might choose to allocate more funds towards treating your guests to a multi-course meal, renting specialty seating and linens, incorporating lush floral and lighting installations, hiring a live wedding painter or musicians, getting fun transportation, or working with a top-tier photographer. Petite can also be grand!

3. Choose the Right Venue

Selecting a venue that complements the size and style of your petite wedding creates the desired welcoming setting for your group. Consider charming spaces that won't overwhelm your guest count such as private mansions, boutique hotels, intimate gardens, restaurants, or small chapels. Consider places where you can host your ceremony, social hour, and reception all at one venue to keep your small group together. Ask the venue if they can accommodate a shorter timeline as well. At The Charleston, we offer flexible, cost-effective Petite Packages for smaller weddings and timelines!

4. Personalize the Guest Experience

With fewer guests, you can focus on creating a memorable experience for each attendee. From handwritten invitations to bespoke take-home favors, the intimate scale allows for meaningful touches that would be more time-consuming and expensive for larger events.

We have seen couples provide welcome bags, souvenir name cards, personalized thank you notes, a thoughtfully curated playlist of songs that resonate with your relationships, a caricature artist for each guest to take home a personal art piece, flower arrangements for each family to keep, and so much more.

Rock + Hayden Wedding - Lindsay Miller Photography

5. Simplify the Guest List

Creating a guest list for a petite wedding can be one of the most challenging tasks. Focus on inviting close family and friends who are part of your inner circle who will continue to be a major part of your forever love story.

6. Elevate the Dining Experience

Food can be a highlight of any wedding. With a smaller guest list, you can elevate the dining experience by offering a gourmet menu, wine pairings, or a personalized tasting menu. Our venue works with a preferred list of caterers who can accommodate a variety of menu items and service styles. Consider interactive food stations (think build-your-own pasta bar) or a family-style meal passed around the table to foster a sense of closeness among guests.

8. Creative Seating Arrangements

Arrange seating to encourage conversation and connection. Round tables or harvest-style seating can create a communal atmosphere. Consider cozy lounge furniture in socializing areas to dress things up.

9. Streamline the Schedule

Without the need to accommodate a large number of guests, you can streamline events to focus on quality time. At larger weddings it takes more time than you might think for guests to transition from space to space, to greet guests in a receiving line, for everyone to be served dinner and work through the line at the bar, or for group photos to take place. With a petite wedding, you naturally save that time and can be more flexible with your itinerary.

10. Hire a Coordinator

A professional coordinator can be invaluable for petite weddings. Someone will need to be behind the scenes working to ensure the details of the event are flowing. This is typically a family member, a friend, or a professional. Out of the few guests you are inviting, hiring a coordinator would allow them to be engaged in the wedding without working throughout the day.

A coordinator will help manage timeline details, set up, and clean up. They coordinate vendors and ensure that everything runs smoothly for your guests, allowing you and your VIPs to fully enjoy your day without stress.

Stockton + vandelinde wedding - Marisa Claire

11. Prioritize Photography

With all of your top VIPs together (potentially for the only time), capturing the moment may be very significant for your future self. Invest in a skilled photographer who can capture the details, emotions, and candid moments of your wedding day. Consider a videographer as well to create a beautiful keepsake with words and voices you will want to remember.

Lee + Collar Wedding - Lindsay Nicole Photography

12. Consider an All-Inclusive Package

Some venues offer all-inclusive packages tailored for petite weddings, which can simplify planning and often provide better value. These packages typically include venue rental, catering, decor, and coordination services. Sometimes photographers and DJs are also able to create smaller packages accommodating petite wedding needs.

Conclusion

Planning a petite wedding offers the opportunity to create a truly personalized and intimate celebration. Petite weddings allow couples to focus on quality over quantity. By focusing on what matters most, you can craft a memorable experience for you and your guests. Embrace the charm of a smaller gathering, and enjoy the journey of creating a wedding day that’s uniquely yours.