What images come to mind? A radiant couple, a stunning gown, happy friends and relatives gathered around?
Do you picture the cake, the music, the venue, the vows, the officiant, the invitations, the dinner, favors, photographer, videographer, DJ…?
Once you begin to scan the long checklist of wedding details, it can feel completely overwhelming. And, unsurprisingly, costly.
If you want to mark your marriage but dread the idea of extensive planning, a tiny wedding could be an appealing alternative.
What Is a Tiny Wedding?
There’s no strict definition for what makes a wedding “tiny.”
Planners and couples don’t even agree on which aspect the “tiny” word applies to.
It might refer to the budget, the guest list size, the venue, or something less tangible, like the amount of planning stress.
But one thing is generally true: A tiny wedding costs less than a conventional one.
Guest count is often the primary driver of lower expenses. A smaller group means a smaller space for ceremony and reception, less food and fewer beverages.
“Offbeat Bride” author and OffbeatBride.com founder Ariel Meadow Stallings describes a tiny wedding as “more than an elopement (where it’s just the couple, a minister and sometimes a photographer) but still under 30 people.”
Bil Malbon of Tiny Chapel Weddings limits the headcount to 20, which is the capacity of his portable wedding chapel.
Malbon’s Tiny Chapel Wedding costs only $160–$200 at its Richmond, Virginia location. To bring the chapel to you, full-service rates run $500–$1,500, depending on travel and ceremony length.
Maggie Gaudaen operates Washington, D.C.-based Pop Wed! Co., which reduces wedding stress with packages for 10 or 25 attendees. They work from a “minimum viable wedding” model.
“Some of our ceremonies just include the couple, our team and a fun spot,” she says.
Pop Wed! packages begin at $2,900 and include a curated venue, officiant, cake or treats and photography — Maggie’s expertise.
“We realized we could invent a different kind of wedding that blended the best elements of big weddings and elopements while eliminating the stress, and Pop! Wed Co. was created,” Gaudaen explains.
This fresh approach to a cherished tradition proves you can cut costs and still have the wedding you envision.
An affordable tiny wedding or elopement doesn’t require a courthouse dash. You can still enjoy cake and celebration.
You just need to think imaginatively.
As Stallings notes, “For some couples, it’s about saving money — fewer guests means fewer mouths to feed — but some people have extravagant tiny weddings. For them, it’s about prioritizing closeness with their guests.”
“I adore the weddings where the only guests are the bride’s and groom’s parents,” says My Tiny Wedding’s Stephanie Buechler, which plans ceremonies in Kentucky and Colorado.
“It really highlights the significance of the moment and the values those parents passed on to their children.”
Why Choose a Tiny Wedding?
The most straightforward reason to skip a large celebration is to reduce costs.
“Tiny weddings can cut expenses significantly,” Malbon says.
“They’re a sensible choice for couples on tight budgets or for those who want to allocate savings to a honeymoon or a first home. The goal is to be married — not burdened by debt.”
But the format brings advantages beyond thrift, Stallings points out.
Fewer guests mean you can “actually spend time connecting with each person,” she says.
They’re also much more adaptable than big events. Pop Wed! Co.’s pop-up weddings demonstrate this flexibility.
“We can even arrange a wedding on the same day if the couple contacts us in the morning and everyone’s free!” Gaudaen says.
Of the 80 weddings her company has organized, her fastest turnaround was about three days.
“Tiny weddings can be planned in days or less, ideal for couples who choose to elope or must marry quickly before a military deployment,” Malbon suggests.
A tiny wedding could also be sensible if you live far from family, “such as those in the military,” Malbon notes.
Rather than organizing an expensive destination celebration, consider keeping the ceremony small and celebrating with relatives later.
How to Plan a Tiny Wedding You (and Your Guests) Will Enjoy
While a tiny wedding fosters intimacy, the biggest challenge experts mention is deciding who to exclude.
“There’s potential for hurt feelings, which is why many people choose to elope,” Stallings says. Perhaps it’s simpler to leave everyone out and savor the day as a pair?
“Sometimes couples choose not to announce their wedding date until after the ceremony,” adds Buechler.
If you don’t want to hide the date, here are suggestions for arranging a tiny wedding you’ll treasure.
Zero In on Your Priorities
Aside from budget constraints, a top perk of skipping wedding extravagance is focusing only on what truly matters to you.
“Think carefully about your priorities,” Stallings advises. “Nothing is mandatory. Spend only on the elements of the day that are IMPORTANT to YOU.”
Do you want to remember the dress? The ring? The cake? The floral arrangements?
Or do you want to remember the vows, the kiss, the first dance or the conversations at the reception?
When you eliminate things that don’t matter, your photos, stories and memories will highlight what does.
“It’s not about what you’re wearing, it’s who you’re with,” – Bil Malbon of Tiny Chapel Weddings
Be Inventive
Even with modest budgets, tiny weddings offer huge flexibility.
“Tiny weddings can allow couples to think bigger,” Malbon says.
“With only a handful of people to accommodate, couples can experiment and pick options that would be harder with a larger guest list.”
You can hold a cozy ceremony at home, travel to an offbeat spot, or gather at a place with emotional significance.
Malbon recommends unconventional venues too, “such as a museum, a golf course, a winery or even a cave.” Those become feasible with only a few attendees.
He also notes tiny weddings are ideal for themed celebrations. Invite guests to dress as beloved characters or in historical garb.
“Sci-Fi devotees can boldly go somewhere far, far away!” Malbon says.
Removing the need to cater to many people and uphold an elaborate vision gives you space to have genuine fun.
Invest in What Matters Most
An often-overlooked tip for frugal planning is recognizing where to splurge.
This lets you save money without sacrificing what’s important to you.
Decide what’s essential for your wedding day. When you imagine the event, what consistently appears in your mind?
What part of your relationship’s story do you want to share with guests? How do you want people to remember the occasion years from now?
Don’t cut corners on the things that count.
“Not everyone is a talented photographer,” Malbon explains. “If photos matter to you, invest in someone who will deliver great images.”
Cut Costs Where Possible
“Your family, friends and coworkers are excellent resources for helping you realize your vision,” Malbon says.
And there are smart ways to save on a major expense: the venue.
Pop Wed! Co. helps couples lower venue costs by scheduling multiple ceremonies in a single location on the same day.
Tiny Chapel Weddings saves money by offering, literally, a tiny setting for the ceremony. It uses your surroundings to provide distinct character.
“Public parks offer gorgeous backdrops for your celebration,” Malbon notes.
Want more ideas? Check out our recommendations for creative cheap wedding venues and tools like wedding planning apps to help you stay organized and save money.
Your Turn: Are you organizing a tiny wedding celebration?
Jordan Price is a freelance writer for Savinly. He’s contributed to various outlets and enjoys adding a dash of humor wherever he can.
