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Every couple has a different vision for their wedding day, and for some, a smaller event is the way to go. But smaller doesn't necessarily mean it will be easier to pull off, so we asked some wedding professionals to share the most common mistakes couples make when planning this type of event. Here are the top seven--and how to avoid them.
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Thinking That You'll Save Money
Couples often think since they are having a "small" wedding, vendors will be less expensive. Jyl Deering of Chancey Charm Boston Wedding Planner dives into the truth behind this. "Keep in mind a photographer, band, DJ, etc. can only do one wedding a day, and it's the same amount of work for them no matter the size of the party," Jyl says. "If you think small always means savings, just know that with most vendors that is not the case."
Waiting Until The Last Minute
Just because it's a small wedding doesn't mean you don't have to follow a wedding planning timeline. Greg Jenkins of Bravo Productions says, "Many of the tasks are the same in planning a larger wedding and 'small' doesn't necessarily mean less complex or one can be less detail-oriented."
Underestimating Who Will Attend
Many couples don't count on all of their guests coming, says Trig Bundgaard of Trystan Photography. "We've seen couples plan purposefully remote, dead-of-winter elopements, thinking that the sheer difficulty would keep the guest numbers down," Trig says. "But as the day arrives, and they invited way too many guests thinking most would politely decline, the guest list grows to the size of a regular wedding."
Picking The Wrong Location
Venue choice is a big part of pulling off a small wedding, says Janessa White of Simply Eloped. "Sometimes, couples will choose a venue that feels way too large relative to the small guest list," Janessa says. "Over-sized venues can cause audio issues, feel empty, and generally have an uncomfortable vibe."
Thinking Of It As Less Important Than A Big Wedding
Alicia Lapriore of Fairmont Copley Plaza says that you should put just as much thought into a small wedding as you would for a big wedding. "Even though it may be small, it should still receive the same attention to detail from the couple, vendors and venue as a 250 person wedding would," Alicia says.
Skimping On The Details
Just because your guest list is small doesn't mean you can skimp on guest experience, says Liz Ise, Chancey Charm Dallas Wedding Planner. Don't forget about adding special touches with food, decor and even guest transportation to make sure everyone is comfortable and has a great time.
Skipping A Plan B
Many couples who opt for small weddings choose an outdoor location. While that can be a beautiful choice, weather becomes a huge concern. Luckily, Janessa White has more tips, this time on how to properly plan for an outdoor ceremony or reception.
"For couples that are planning outdoor ceremonies, we always recommend checking historical weather patterns and making sure they dress for the occasion," Janessa says. "If any kind of challenging weather is even a possibility (and it usually is), be sure to have a contingency plan."
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