Ceremony Ideas For Small And Large Weddings

What is considered a small wedding? A small wedding is considered up to 50 people; a medium wedding has a guest list from 50 to 150 people and a large wedding over 150 people on a guest list. An elopement is considered of 2 people with no guests; however, the meaning of an elopement has changed a lot of years. Depending on who you speak to, an elopement is now up to 12 people on the guest list. Since COVID 19 of 2020, a small wedding is thought of up to 12 people, yet many have had elopements for years of up to 12 people, so this is a new time for categorizing an elopement, small wedding, medium wedding, and a large wedding.

With this knowledge, it’s easy to define a medium and large wedding; it’s a bit harder to define where the line is for an elopement wedding to a small wedding. I think of it as an elopement wedding of 2 people being the couple getting married, a small wedding is up to 50 people, medium-sized wedding 50 – 150 guests and a large wedding that is greater than 150 on your guest list.

A few areas to consider when thinking of an elopement to a large wedding is what is different.

Before I go too far, ask yourself first, where do you sit with a wedding, are you excited about celebrating your love for your best first with many people or that same wedding style creates too much pressure on couples. They simply want to say I love you with wedding vows shared in the middle of know where. Knowing who you are and want you to want will help you decide on any aspect of how you’re excited about celebrating your love for your partner.

A few areas to consider when thinking of an elopement to a large wedding is what is different are these. For a small wedding having hair and makeup is still important, but you will hire a professional hair and makeup artist? I have found many brides do it themselves as they’re keeping it simple. But as soon as 12 guests or more are invited, then a professional hair and makeup artist are suggested. This goes the same for a wedding planner. An elopement rarely or at all needs a wedding planner, but at 12 people, a wedding planner is often hired.

Where you get married will change a great deal for the size of the wedding you’d love to celebrate. Moraine Lake offers an incredible location, yet over 12 people are not practical. However, just a 20 minute drive away at Lake Louise, you can hold hundreds of guests. Banff and Canmore both offer many incredible locations for a small wedding to a very large wedding. Selecting the best mountain wedding venue is key, but your dream is an urban-based wedding with 100 guests, which is why I have created the best wedding venues in Calgary for you to explore.

Now you know where your wedding is going to be, or you have a great idea, and know what an elopement, small wedding, and large weddings let’s cover ceremony ideas for small and large weddings.

WEDDING CEREMONY IDEAS 

Location

Selecting a location for your wedding regardless of size is key. This will create the groundwork for all ideas for your wedding. Take the time to explore the top mountain wedding venues, or if your wedding is urban-based, make sure it’s a great size. Too big a venue your wedding will not feel cozy, too small the venue feels tight, hot, and you won’t be able to walk around hugging and loving your friends and family members.

Food

Buffet or Al La Carte, or why not replace the caterer with a specialty food truck. Food trucks are super cool, serving ice cream, pizza, and so much more. Try something new! For larger weddings, venues dislike anyone else coming in to supply food or beverage as it takes away from their revenue. They will tell you that it’s a license issue, but a day license can be purchased. It’s the way venues operate, and they want to offer their experience to guests and keep the funds in house. 

Destination Wedding

With only so many guests who can attend, destination weddings naturally become a small wedding. Also, destination weddings often bring down the cost for you. Just make sure to bring your photographer as the supplied free wedding photographer is usually terrible.

Gifts

That is right; you can buy your guest a gift for your wedding. Often the bride and grooms think of the gifts they will be receiving as listed on their gift registry, but buying a gift for your guest is always well received. Think about an entrance welcome gift or dropping off for an intimate sized wedding a box of goodies thanking them for coming to your wedding. For a smaller wedding, you might be able to invest in custom printed clear shot glasses. Guests can then take them home afterward as a keepsake. Making your guests feel special by writing them a letter thanking them for attending one of the most important days. People love to receive a little note or letter.

The minimum for gifts for you to invest in is those who are standing up for you. Bridesmaids and groomsman are there for you, so saying thank you to them in the form of a gift goes a long way.

Flowers

For a small wedding, you could have one table and surround the table with flowers. Flowers are a huge part of a wedding day, and this comes down to your budget. A dull reception room could be transformed into a magical palace with flowers hanging from the ceiling and walls. Or tabletop flowers as a beautiful gesture. Just don’t overlook the importance of flowers for your wedding day.

Walking down the aisle for your ceremony with flowers on either side is a fabulous experience for everyone. It sets the ambiance and tone of your wedding ceremony.

Standing or Sitting

Your vision is a small wedding in the woods, standing with your closest friends and family members. Know who you’ll be inviting, making sure everyone can stand is important. For larger weddings, seating is a must as guests will arrive early, plus it allows all guests to see you get married.

Chairs

What style of chairs do you opt for? Many ceremony venues supply chairs, but they might not be your taste. Make sure to check out the chairs that will be provided for your day.

Blankets

Know your location for this one. Supplying blankets is very important if you have selected a gorgeous location, but it’s going to be freezing for your guest. Keep them warm.

Wedding Planner

Weddings involve planning regardless of the size. If you find that planning a wedding is too overwhelming or you do not have the time to think about hiring a wedding planner. A great wedding planner will lower your stress, make your wedding day super fun, allowing you to celebrate rather than worry. For large weddings, a wedding planner is a must to have.

Gift Registry

Guests and family members want to buy you something that is not a waste of money. Create a wedding registry of items that mean the world to you, so they do not guess and waste precious hard-earned money, starting at $50 per gift is the standard recommended amount. At Geoff Wilkings Photography, all clients love the quality of albums that we produce, so we have set up an Album Gift Registry for all brides and grooms to add this to their list.

Flooring

Do you dress up the flooring, or do you keep it as it? Does your ceremony venue look great as it, or does it require some love? Often people select a venue because of its location and furnishing. They usually do not think about it and all the details as they often fall in love with it, and it naturally ticks off all the boxes. 

Ask yourself, are you at one with nature and you’d love to be in the woods surrounded by trees and hanging lights. Or, are you dreaming of a vineyard in Kelowna or the South of France? Just know, you fell in love with a location because it’s “something.” Your guest might be fine, but you might need to be raised a little for your guests to see you. For large weddings, those at the back won’t see you, so asking a planner to assist is often not a problem. Just make sure it’s something nice than a bandstand as your photographs will be affected by your choice. 

Lighting

A winter wedding when the sun goes down at 4:30 pm in the mountains is stunning. Candles light up a wedding aisle, and the ambiance is out of this world. You have a large reception or ceremony room with not too many guests, but the mood is set by incredible lighting. The point being light is everything to set the ambiance, be it a wedding in the woods or a huge indoor ceremony. Think about lighting and how it’ll affect your day.

Seating Plan

Be creative with your seating plan. For larger wedding venues, it can be a bit harder to be super creative. For smaller weddings, it is easy to configure a fabulously fun seating arrangement making it super enjoyable for your guests.

Transportation

Nobody likes anyone drinking and driving. Regardless of the size of your wedding, make sure to have in place transportation or the option for people to get a taxi. 

Hair & Makeup

Hiring a professional hair and makeup artist will allow for the beginning of your day to run so well from an elopement to a large wedding. 

Groom Getting Ready

Where will the groom get ready? Often the groom is overlooked for some reason, but think about where the groom gets ready is huge. If you’re not having photographs taken, it might not matter, but if you are, consider a well naturally lit room.

Bride Getting Ready

A larger room with room to maneuver is especially important for a fabulous experience for the bride. What photographs do you want from your day is crucial as you’re after a light and airy photographs, but you supply the photographer a small dark room with no natural lights. When the bride gets ready, this section of the day sets the tone for the day. Make it a great experience.

Music

A violist, guitarist, band, or a must playlist. Music is similar to lighting; it sets the mood. 

Group Games

Knowing your audience is key to this one. Do you have many children at your wedding if so they might love some games? Having fun activities for guests can make people intermingle and get to know each other.

Microphone

For larger weddings, you will need a microphone, but for smaller intimate weddings project your voices as this will make it more personal. 

FAQ For Ceremony Ideas For Small and Large Weddings