Small weddings have a different feel than large-scale weddings. Small weddings feel more intimate and intimate, and allow you to spend time with the people who mean the most to you. However, don't assume that small weddings are easier to plan than large ones. Whether it's trying to avoid big expenses or putting together a smaller guest list, planning a small wedding is no easier than planning a big wedding.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Designing a Small-Scale Wedding
Step 1. Think about the benefits of a small wedding party
Fewer guests don't make your celebration any less meaningful. On the other hand, small weddings give you the opportunity to spend more time with the people who matter to you and your partner. Fewer people will make your day less stressful, so you can focus on what really matters-loving and committing to your partner. Other benefits of small weddings include:
- Having time to talk to guests is more than just saying hello.
- Opportunity to involve the participation of more people in the event.
- The ceremony and reception are not too expensive.
- A more intimate and intimate event.
Step 2. Set a budget for your wedding in advance
You won't get a small wedding if you don't define what "small" looks like. Talk to your partner and wedding planner, then decide on an exact budget you're willing to spend. You can always keep this amount in mind when you start buying things for your wedding.
- If you don't have a budget in mind, it's easier to spend a lot more money than expected. Determine the number and keep it.
- In Indonesia, the average cost of a wedding in a building is between Rp. 150,000,000 to Rp. 300,000,000. As for weddings in the hall, the average is around Rp. 70,000,000 to Rp. 150,000,000.
- Each guest at a wedding costs an average of IDR 30,000,000 for a normal wedding.
Step 3. Know all the parts you need to plan for the wedding
Even a small wedding party is, at its core, a party you host for your friends, family and partner. Therefore, there are various issues and concerns that need to be addressed to ensure everyone has a great time. In general, you need to think about:
- Location of the wedding (mosque, church, civil registry, etc.)
- Reception
- Entertainment
- Flower
- Food, drink and wedding cake
- Photo
- Transportation and accommodation
- Invitation
- Decoration and clothes
- Gifts/souvenirs for attendees
Step 4. Eliminate things that are not important to you
The point of a small wedding is to cut excess costs and get rid of the unnecessary. By hosting a wedding in your hometown rather than a remote location, most people can come directly from their homes. You don't like flowers? Replace it with a photo of you and your partner as a display in the middle of the room. Take a look at the list above and ask yourself what really matters. What can you make yourself? What can you limit or trim?
- Once you've started cutting your wedding costs, estimate the cost of each item you still want and compare it to your estimated budget.
- Keep in mind that small weddings can often feel more intimate, giving you time to be with the guests that matters rather than meeting 100 or more people in turn.
Step 5. Plan a casual wedding theme
Small and casual weddings allow guests to feel much more comfortable and closer to each other. Consider omitting a wedding theme with extravagant, elaborate décor like lace or vines and opt for something as simple as a color theme. Not only will you spend less money on clothes, but you will also spend less on decorations that you only use once. Check out websites like Pinterest, Etsy, or The Knot to search through thousands of wedding themes under any budget for craft ideas.
- Remember, the theme of your wedding is not important, but the wedding itself is.
- Make your wedding location an important part of the "theme". If you're getting married on the beach, for example, the sand and the sound of the waves will be much more enjoyable than hundreds of beach-themed decorations.
- Use what is available at home or make your own decorations. A few strands of Christmas lights, for example, will produce beautiful lighting without having to spend a lot of money. If you already have a lot of green decorations, consider making that a theme for your wedding.
Step 6. Use interest strategically
Small, well-placed flower arrangements are often just as efficient as having flowers everywhere. Flower arrangements can quickly become very expensive, so look for ways to eliminate or limit them to save money. Some suggestions include:
- Use local, in-season flowers or wildflowers instead of an exotic and bulky bouquet.
- Buy one large beautiful flower (such as a rose or chrysanthemum) and use it instead of a full bouquet for a minimalistic but standout look.
- Choose photos, artwork, paper flowers, or colorful fruit instead of flowers for a different look.
Step 7. Wear a suit instead of a tux
This is a great way to save money for the groom. If you already have a nice black suit, consider wearing it instead of a tux. If you don't have a black suit, consider buying it for a wedding instead of renting a tuxedo. The price of a good black suit is usually the same as renting a tuxedo for one day and you can wear it again at a later date.
Step 8. Don't buy a wedding dress
It may sound like a despicable thing, but wedding dresses are very expensive to wear only once. Decide to borrow it from your mother, relative, or close friend. This will not only save you money, but will show how much you care for someone and start a tradition of passing dresses down through generations.
More and more shops are now renting out wedding dresses, so you can have the dress of your dreams for a fraction of its original price
Step 9. Get a marriage certificate first
The really "essential" things for a marriage to happen are two people who want to be together forever, a marriage certificate, and a witness. Focus on that as you plan your small wedding. In Indonesia, getting a marriage certificate is free or IDR 600,000, and that's basically all you need to start a married life together.
- You can always hold the reception later, or separate it from the time of processing your marriage certificate, to save money and cut costs.
- Some researchers have found a link between cheaper marriages and happier partners, so remember to focus on each other, not the money.
Method 2 of 4: Planning Your Wedding Location
Step 1. Recognize that location is more important than anything else when planning a budget for a wedding
The average wedding cost in Indonesia is around IDR 100,000,000, but almost IDR 35,000,000 of that is spent on location and food. You need to consider where you will be hosting your wedding before doing anything else or you will have very little budget left for entertainment, decorations, invitations, etc.
- Locations in urban areas almost always cost more because the area is much busier and is used by more couples. Even moving to a location in the suburbs can save money.
- Host a wedding between November and April. Popular wedding venues are less busy at these times, so they often have lower rental costs.
- Saturday is the most expensive day to get married.
Step 2. Book your place much in advance
The earlier you start looking for a venue for your wedding, the more likely you are to find the perfect location. Many popular wedding locations, such as mosques, churches and parks, are booked 9-12 months in advance, so it's a good idea to get started when you've made your choice. However, small weddings are known for being unique, different, and taking place in smaller locations, so don't limit yourself to the "traditional" choice of wedding venues. Call locations around your area and ask about:
- City Park.
- Beach.
- A friend's backyard.
- Gardens, lodgings, or farms.
- Museums, historical sites, or national parks.
Step 3. Discuss in advance with the site any rules, fees or requirements
Some event locations require you to use their catering services for meals. Others may have a limit on the number of guests allowed or have a minimum number of guests. You need to talk to the wedding venue first before making a down payment to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.
Step 4. Ask a friend to host the wedding
Skip the idea of hiring a professional presenter and ask someone close to you to officiate to make the wedding procession more intimate and less expensive.
Be sure to ask for help 3-4 months in advance, so they have time to prepare for the wedding procession
Step 5. Ask a friend to be a photographer and video cameraman
A good photographer can cost millions, but a small wedding party can take the help of friends. Ask a friend who has a good camera to spend 1-2 hours of his time at the wedding taking photos and offer to pay for his services. Not only will you feel comfortable being photographed by people you know, you can also limit the number of people at your reception and save money.
Make sure the photographer uploads the photos online via Snapfish or Flickr so all guests can view them later
Step 6. Hire a low-cost DJ instead of a band
Music groups are good, but it will cost extra to pay for each member. But DJs are much cheaper and can play an almost unlimited number of songs right from their laptop.
- If you don't really care about music, make a wedding playlist with your partner. You can choose your favorite songs and change them in real time as guests arrive.
- Consider enlisting the help of a music friend as a "DJ," by creating a playlist with him and asking him to include songs that are important to you like "First Dance."
Step 7. Arrange the table placement
Most guests prefer a fixed seating arrangement over having to choose where they sit, and the arrangement is your job. This may sound overwhelming, but you need to remember that people come to enjoy your special day, not complain about who's sitting next to them at dinner. Make a simple drawing of your reception with a rough outline of all the tables. Start by planning a table for the bride, groom, parents, and bridesmaids/bridesmaids. Then place each guest at the same table with 1-2 people he knows. It's okay if they don't know everyone there-it's time for them to make new friends.
- After determining where to sit, make a small card on each seat to tell guests where the seats are.
- For small weddings with less than 50 guests, the assigned seat placement may feel too stiff to feel pleasant. Give your guests a little freedom and try using one large table or the informal buffet style of catering.
Method 3 of 4: Inviting Guests
Step 1. Know each additional guest will cost more
While the exact cost varies from wedding to wedding, the more people always result in the more expensive the wedding costs. Most catering services charge per person for food and waiters, so more people need more tables, chairs and more space. In addition, each guest needs an invitation, a date card, and a wedding favor. The cost of these needs will pile up quickly as each guest increases.
Additional fees for each guest can range from IDR 50,000 per person (small and simple weddings) to IDR 500,000 per person (luxury weddings)
Step 2. Define your invitation limit
Just like when planning a budget, you should start preparing your invitations by asking yourself how many people you want at the wedding. Small, intimate weddings typically invite from 20-50 guests (the average wedding has 140 guests or more).), but you need to determine the number that's right for you. Some things to keep in mind include:
- Is the event just for family and close friends, or should you invite aunts, uncles and co-workers?
- How many bridesmaids and groomsmen do you want? 2-3 people for each bride will be able to keep costs down.
- Who "needs" to invite? Do you really need to spend your special day with people you've only seen once or twice in the past year?
Step 3. Make a list of "important" invitees
You and your partner need to draft a list of 10-15 people you really want to invite to your wedding. This will be the starting point for creating the invite list and will usually include the parents, grandparents, groomsmen, and bridesmaids. There may be a few common names between your list and your partner's list, which will leave room for other guests.
Keep this list as short as possible by reminding yourself that "this is a small wedding." You want your time with people to feel meaningful, and not rushed
Step 4. Make your own invitations
For small weddings, making personalized wedding invitations is not only easy, it lets your guests know that you care about them. Instead of spending money buying and printing expensive invitations, buy some nice stationery from your local art supply store and write a simple invitation with your hands.
Look online for ideas on how to design your own invitations, from adding embellishments and photos to writing messages or poems
Step 5. Involve your guests in the wedding
Smaller weddings give everyone a chance to get involved. You can spend time with everyone instead of rushing around the venue. So involve your guests at the wedding to keep them entertained and give your party an intimate and intimate feel. Ask your guests to:
- Read a stanza of prayer.
- Submit photos for slideshow.
- Choose 2-3 songs for the DJ to play.
- Share stories about the bride and groom in the wedding book/video.
Method 4 of 4: Ordering Food and Entertainment
Step 1. Ask about the cost of food per person if you are hiring a caterer
Food costs range widely, but more often than not, meals are calculated based on the number of guests. You will be asked to provide the caterer with a guest list, which will be returned to you along with the full cost. More food, of course, will cost you more, but the price range between the various catering services will surprise you.
A small Bandung wedding might cost IDR 30,000 per person, while a wedding in Bali might cost more than IDR 400,000 per person. Know the costs before choosing a catering service
Step 2. Think of a buffet for a simpler wedding meal
Don't feel like you have to serve 5-star food that's tailor-made to make your wedding party memorable. Having waiters will drastically increase the cost of food, and most people don't mind standing up and choosing their own food. Not using presenters and waiters will keep your wedding party small and stay on budget.
Step 3. Cook your own appetizer
It may seem like a hassle, but it's a great personal touch to your party, one that can save you millions of dollars on food costs. If you're having a small wedding, this will be easier to do: choose a recipe that you can make and freeze later, then ask someone you trust to heat it up before the reception begins. Some recipes worth trying include:
- Mini pizza
- Quiche
- Gougere
- Biscuits and cheese
- Fruit jam
Step 4. Ask the wedding venue if you can bring your own alcohol
Whether you're asking your guests to bring your own bottles or you're bringing your own, skip the sky-high bar fees and bring your own. While this may sound cheesy to some, the opportunity to customize your menu will make your wedding a special and intimate evening in ways that are difficult at large weddings.
- Create a "couple cocktail" to serve at your wedding.
- Purchase a bottle of wine from the fruit that grew in the year you and your partner met or got engaged.
- Limit strong alcoholic beverages, as wine and beer will last longer and are cheaper.
- As another option, set up a "cash-bar", which is a place with a hired concierge provided by the location for free/cheap but charge your guests for every drink ordered.
Step 5. Order a small wedding cake
Don't forget that by the time the cake is taken out, most of the people have already eaten and the cake is often ruined because of the "first cut" that the groom and bride make. The wedding cake is basically just for display, and even if some of it is eaten, it is already very good. Knowing this, skip the 5 tier cake and go for something simpler.
- But smaller weddings will give you the opportunity to share the cake with everyone.
- If you need extra cake, you can always bake a cake pan so there's enough for all.
Tips
Remember that marriage isn't about material things-it's about marrying the partner of your dreams. Always keep this in mind when things get overwhelming during planning
Warning
- Many weddings are financed by the parents, and neither the groom nor the bride. Be sure to frequently communicate your wishes with whoever is paying for the wedding expenses and work with them to make the wedding day perfect.
- Local food and flowers. Ask your wedding service provider to use local food and flowers, to reduce transportation costs. If you order tulips in December, it means these tulips will be imported and you will pay dearly to bring them here. The same goes for food. Why choose Maine lobster when we can provide a wide variety of Mediterranean fish at an affordable price?
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