Ideas for a Small Wedding: 30 Ways For an Unforgettable Day

Small weddings aren’t about cutting back, they’re about dialling up the magic. Imagine exchanging vows under fairy lights in a secret courtyard, passing sharing platters around a candlelit table, and dancing in a space that feels like it was made just for you. The beauty of an intimate celebration is that it’s easier to make it deeply personal, as you’re not trying to please 150 guests, instead you’re focusing on the people who matter most.

Whether you call it a micro wedding, a tiny wedding or simply a small marriage ceremony, fewer guests mean more freedom. You can focus on the details, spend quality time with everyone you’ve invited, and choose a setting that feels personal and extraordinary. You might even find yourself able to do things that would be impossible at a bigger event, like giving every guest a handwritten letter or serving your grandmother’s famous pie recipe for dessert.

This guide is packed with small wedding ideas, from creative ceremony setups to low-key wedding reception inspiration, clever budget tips, and unusual ideas that will make your celebration truly one of a kind.

Table of contents:

• Ceremony ideas
• Reception ideas
• Unusual small wedding ideas
• Food & drink
• Unique, impactful details
• Creative venues
• Small wedding benefits
• Planning a small wedding

Ceremony ideas for a small wedding

Your ceremony sets the tone for the whole day, and with a smaller guest list, you can get creative in ways that aren’t practical with a big crowd. You can arrange seating for maximum intimacy, hold the service in a space that wouldn’t accommodate hundreds or add unexpected personal touches without worrying about logistics.

1. Exchange vows in the round

Ditch the traditional aisle and arrange seating in a circle or semi-circle around you. It creates intimacy, ensures every guest has a perfect view, and feels symbolic, with your love literally being surrounded by your closest people. Add a low floral ring around your space to anchor the arrangement and create a natural focal point.

2. Private garden hideaway

A small guest list means you can fit into spaces that aren’t available for large weddings, like courtyards, a friend’s lush back garden or you could even choose to hire a private garden. Add festoon lights, wildflower arrangements, and woven rugs underfoot for a whimsical feel. Include a few mismatched vintage chairs for charm, and let the scent of fresh herbs or roses fill the air.

3. Rooftop romance

Say “I do” with panoramic city views. A rooftop venue is ideal for small. You can set up cosy lounge areas, firepits and even a small live band without it feeling sparse. As the sun sets and the skyline glows, you’ll feel like you’re in your own world above the city.

4. Historic library or bookshop

For literary couples, exchanging vows between floor-to-ceiling bookshelves is both atmospheric and deeply personal. Stack favourite novels on the signing table, serve cocktails named after authors, or hand out bookmarks as favours.

5. Waterside wonder

From small harbours to secluded lakesides, water brings a natural calm to your day. A dock draped with greenery or a sandy shoreline with scattered lanterns makes for unforgettable photographs. The gentle sound of waves or ripples will add an unplanned soundtrack you couldn’t have scripted better.

Small wedding reception ideas

Reception spaces for fewer guests give you freedom to choose somewhere that already feels like “you”, whether that’s a chic restaurant or a bohemian loft. You can also create a space where the dining experience, conversation and ambience all feel part of the celebration itself.

6. Family-style feast

Host one long banquet table draped in linen, lit by candles, and adorned with seasonal greenery. Pass sharing platters for a warm, communal vibe that feels more like a big family dinner than a formal reception. Consider serving the meal in courses, encouraging guests to linger and talk between bites.

7. Restaurant takeover

Book your favourite bistro, wine bar or fine-dining spot. They already have the ambience, menu, and service, so you just add your guests. You can request custom menus with dishes you love, or even have the chef design something just for your wedding.

8. Outdoor spaces

String up lights, set out mismatched chairs, hire a food van and let the stars be your ceiling. Outdoor receptions allow you to blend formal and casual. Think champagne toasts followed by dancing barefoot on the grass.

9. Brunch celebration

Host a mid-morning ceremony followed by a champagne brunch with pastries, fresh fruit and a coffee cart. Guests can sip mimosas while enjoying the soft morning light and relaxed atmosphere.

10. Speakeasy vibes

Hire an intimate bar or lounge with moody lighting and serve signature cocktails all night. Add a small jazz trio or vinyl DJ for a vintage touch.

Unusual small wedding ideas

Small numbers give you licence to think outside the box.

11. Art gallery elegance

Surround yourselves with curated beauty for a ceremony and reception that feels like a private exhibition. You can even have your first dance in front of a favourite painting.

12. Cinematic “I do”

Rent an indie cinema, play a short film of your love story, then exchange vows on stage. Afterwards, serve popcorn and champagne for a playful twist.

13. Greenhouse glamour

A conservatory filled with plants offers natural light and lush surroundings without much extra décor. The changing sunlight throughout the day adds a living, dynamic backdrop to your vows.

14. Candlelit cave

Yes, you can actually hire caves and underground wine cellars. The natural acoustics create an intimate atmosphere, and it’s especially magical for a winter wedding when the glow of hundreds of candles warms the stone walls.

15. Creative studio space

Book an art studio or empty loft and transform the space into your dream setting. Opt for a smaller space to keep the styling to a minimum, then you can splurge on dramatic floral installations, draped fabrics and a ceiling of fairy lights.

Food & drink ideas for small weddings

When you’re catering for fewer mouths, you can elevate the menu. It’s not just about the quality of the food, but also the way it’s presented and the experience it creates. With fewer plates to prepare, you can opt for artisan, locally sourced ingredients, or playful interactive formats that wouldn’t work for 150 people.

16. Interactive food stations

Think oyster shucking with a local fishmonger, sushi rolling where guests learn techniques or pasta-making demonstrations complete with flour-dusted aprons. These aren’t just meal options, they’re conversation starters that turn dinner into entertainment.

17. Gourmet grazing tables

Overflowing boards of cheese, charcuterie, fruit and artisan breads make a show-stopping centrepiece. Add small bowls of honey, fig jam and roasted nuts to encourage guests to explore different flavour combinations.

18. Private chef experience

Hire a chef to cook in front of you, creating the atmosphere of a luxury dinner party. Guests can chat with the chef, learn about each course and savour dishes plated with exquisite attention to detail.

19. Dessert-only reception

If sweet treats are your thing, go all-in with a table of cakes, macarons, doughnuts and a hot chocolate bar. You could even have a “build-your-own sundae” station or a crêpe chef spinning fresh desserts to order.

20. Signature cocktails

Name them after places you’ve travelled together, inside jokes or your pets. Display a quirky menu with illustrations and consider offering one signature drink for each of you as a nod to your personalities.

Kashay Webb, founder of microwedding service Micro By Kashay, ordered a selection from local spots that she and her partner loved for her own wedding. Kashay recalls that they were able to “create a personalised feast that delighted our guests and made it easy to accommodate the dietary preferences of our loved ones, including vegan and pescatarian options.”

Unique details that make a big impact

With fewer people, every little touch gets noticed. The things that might get lost in the bustle of a huge wedding become memorable features that guests will talk about for years.

21. Creative seating

Try a U-shaped arrangement, serpentine tables or cabaret-style seating to encourage mingling. You can even mix seating styles, like having benches for the ceremony, then velvet chairs for dinner.

22. Live artist

Hire a painter, illustrator or calligrapher to capture the day in real time. Not only will you have a piece of art to take home, but guests can watch the image evolve throughout the event.

23. Personalised welcome gifts

From locally roasted coffee to mini bottles of your favourite gin, small numbers make this affordable. Wrap them beautifully and include a handwritten thank-you note for each guest.

24. Guest-led entertainment

With fewer people, you can invite everyone to share a story, song or toast. This turns your reception into a shared celebration rather than a performance you’re simply hosting.

25. Memory wall

Display old photos, love letters or ticket stubs from your relationship for guests to explore. Arrange them chronologically so people can “walk” through your love story, or scatter them around the venue as little surprises.

Creative spaces for memorable small weddings

You don’t need a ballroom to make magic. Imagine saying “I do” in an art gallery, a rooftop lounge, a rustic warehouse or a cosy house you’ve booked just for the weekend. On Peerspace, you can browse hundreds of unique wedding venues, from airy lofts to candlelit speakeasies, all designed to feel one-of-a-kind, and often for a fraction of traditional venue costs.

26. Converted warehouse loft

Perfect for an industrial-chic celebration with exposed brick, big windows and space to style as you wish. Add greenery, vintage rugs and warm lighting to soften the urban feel.

27. Secluded beach house

Hire a beach house and wake up to the sound of waves. Have your ceremony on the sand, your reception on the deck and maybe even a bonfire with blankets when the sun sets.

28. Urban rooftop garden

A Green space meets cityscape is an ideal choice for modern couples. String lights above and set out potted herbs as centrepieces that double as guest favours.

29. Countryside manor

Enjoy grand surroundings without the need for a massive guest list. Many small estates offer intimate packages that allow you to feel like royalty for the day.

30. Quirky themed space

From retro discos to eclectic art houses, a small wedding lets you lean into your personalities. If you’re movie buffs, consider a vintage cinema; if you love music, a record shop or intimate concert venue.

Why smaller weddings offer big benefits

Personalised to perfection

When you have fewer guests, every detail can be intentional. You can curate the experience so that every choice, from the menu to the music, reflects your story. Handwritten vows feel more intimate when read to a circle of people you truly know. Custom welcome bags, hand-painted place cards or curated playlists with songs meaningful to your friendships all create a sense of care that large weddings struggle to match.

Time for what really matters

With fewer faces in the room, you can actually connect with each guest. Instead of a quick hug and a “thank you for coming,” you can share a laugh over cocktails, sit beside them at dinner or take a stroll during golden hour. The slower pace turns the day into a shared experience rather than a performance.

Budget your way

A smaller guest list often means a smaller budget… or more flexibility to splurge on priorities. For some, that means a Michelin-starred tasting menu, and for others, it’s the dress they’ve dreamed of or a weekend-long celebration in a rented villa. You can redirect what you save on numbers into the things that will matter to you most in the years to come.

Kashay summarises these benefits beautifully when she says, “The most creative and freeing choice we made was letting go of the idea of what a wedding is supposed to look like. It is such a misconception that small weddings are “less than” or missing something. Our wedding was intimate, joyful, and full of intention. It was every bit the best day of our lives. The size of the guest list or the price tag had nothing to do with the love we felt that day.”

FAQ – planning a small wedding

What venues work best for small weddings?

Restaurants, private homes, boutique hotels, rooftop terraces, art studios and unique rentals work beautifully. Look for spaces with character, since they’ll feel warm and inviting without requiring heavy décor.

How can I make a small wedding look and feel special?

Lean into personal touches, unexpected layouts, and great lighting. Opt for quality over quantity: fewer flowers, but bigger, more luxurious arrangements and fewer tables, but each styled to perfection.

What size qualifies as a small wedding?

Typically 20–50 guests, but it’s more about what feels comfortable and meaningful for you.

Is it cheaper to have a small wedding?

Usually, but many couples choose to reinvest the savings into higher-quality food, photography, or décor instead of cutting costs.

Small weddings aren’t a compromise

Keeping your wedding small is an opportunity to create a day that’s uniquely yours. Whether that means an intimate candlelit dinner, vows on a mountaintop or dancing barefoot in a garden, the beauty of a small celebration is that there are no rules. The guest list is curated, the setting is meaningful and every moment is shared with people who truly know you.

And if you’d like a wedding venue as unique as your vision, Peerspace makes it easy to find incredible spaces that match your style, guest count, and budget, all in one search.