How to Plan the Perfect Small Wedding
By CAROLINE LANGHAM
How to Plan the Perfect Small Wedding
Planning a small wedding isn’t about cutting back — it’s about designing a day that feels like the two of you.
Whether you imagine relaxed drinks in the garden, grazing table dining, or simply time to be with your favourite people, a small wedding can be every bit as memorable and beautiful as a celebration on a grand scale.
Here’s how to create a wedding day that’s intimate, personal and absolutely fabulous…
Start with What you Want
Small weddings work best when they’re built around what matters to you, not what’s traditionally expected. If you don’t fancy speeches, formal photos or a first dance, leave them out. If you’d rather swap a top table for one inclusive table layout that feels like a Sunday family lunch (only with better clothes and more fizz), brilliant!
Deciding how you want your wedding day to feel is always a great starting point.
The perfect venue is small enough for your wedding but big enough to accommodate those you can’t marry without. So how do you slim down the guest list?
Your guest list: it's not always about numbers
Guest lists can be stressful. Instead of asking “Who must we invite?” it’s more helpful to ask “Who would we REALLY miss if they weren’t there?”
Some couples keep it to family and closest friends; others include workmates or neighbours who’ve played an important part in their lives. The key is intention. Making your wedding day meaningful is key.
Embrace flexibility — your day, your structure
With fewer guests, the day can flow more naturally. You might:
- host welcome drinks the night before
- choose an early ceremony and a relaxed afternoon grazing table
- opt for brunch the following morning instead of a late-night party on your wedding day
More couples plan a gentle weekend gathering, rather than cramming everything into one high-pressure day.
In the Lake District, opt for a small private boat cruise on Lake Windermere or choose a Mountain Goat bespoke scenic tour. If your guests have never been to your favourite location before, it’s wonderful to share your favourite spots with them.
Food and drink: the freedom to choose
Small weddings give you the freedom to personalise your menu:
- Locally sourced, seasonal menus were a huge trend for 2025
- Sharing boards, grazing tables or private dines are perfect for smaller weddings
- Signature cocktails are fun for your guests and bring a garden party vibe
- Enjoy your wedding cake as dessert, and make sure it’s enjoyed, not wasted!
Rather than catering for the masses, with the perfect small wedding, you’re curating for people you know well. Quality over quantity — quite literally.
Let go of Wedding Rules - Write Your Own
Embrace the freedom to break with tradition.
Do you need a formal bridal party with bridesmaids and groomsmen? Would you prefer to walk down the aisle together as a couple?
A “first look” is increasingly popular. When you are both dressed and ready, take a moment in private to see each other for a few moments alone before the ceremony. Then host the rest of the reception together, and walk down the aisle as a couple.
When you don’t want formal speeches, a few words of thanks at a small wedding are perfectly appropriate. A formal reception line-up or long speeches aren’t needed for small weddings because everybody present knows your story already!
Styling: tell your story through detail
Many wedding couples have moved away from strict “themes” and towards styling that reflects them personally. Small weddings suit bespoke details because you have fewer items to make or source.
No matter how small your guest list, your perfect wedding day will have favourite food, drink and music. Think about how you can make each of these the best they can be…
Put your budget towards indulgent touches that are important to you. Music enthusiasts love a live musician. Creatives list fabulous wedding photography as essential. Flowers are a real focal point of any wedding. Why not present your table flowers as gifts for your small number of guests? Perfect small wedding menus include a fine-dining option, or upgrade to premium wines, hand-picked to complement individual courses.
Capture the moments that matter
With an intimate celebration, the most memorable photos are usually the unscripted ones — the quiet exchange of looks, or laughter over dinner.
Documentary-style photography and film are increasingly popular with small weddings. Moreover, ‘unplugged’ ceremonies ensure guests are present and not peering through mobile phone screens!
Sustainability — a commitment to each other and the planet
Many couples are now actively choosing venues and suppliers who share their values. Small weddings naturally reduce waste and, when paired with:
- locally sourced food,
- seasonal floristry,
- recyclable or reusable décor,
- and low-impact travel arrangements,
…you have the perfect small celebration, without compromising the environment.
Some say the greenest weddings are those held in places worth protecting. We’d agree.
Micro Weddings
This is no longer a new buzzword as smaller, shorter weddings become the norm.
The smaller the wedding, the lower the stress you experience, and the fewer nerves you are likely to feel. We’ve hosted many weddings over the years, large and small. In our experience, smaller weddings are far more relaxed and magical. They have an extra special ‘wow’ factor that your select guests appreciate.
But don’t just take our word for it! Read what our couples say… and how they loved planning a perfect small wedding!
Specialist Small Wedding Venue
Cote How specialises in crafting perfect small weddings. They are more aligned with our unique wedding venue, personable approach and all-inclusive ethos.
Our advice? Don’t be afraid of abandoning a huge guest list. It’s more liberating than you think!
On the other hand, if a ‘no guest list’ appeals to you, eloping is the ultimate small wedding experience. An indulgent luxury elopement in your cherished destination (like the Lakes) is a relaxed and magical wedding experience. Small really is beautiful.
FURTHER READING
If you have enjoyed this blog you may be interested in …
Our Luxury Elopement Wedding Packages
Blog Articles:
An Amazing Very Small Wedding
Ten Reasons to Elope
Luxury on a Budget – A Guide to Planning Your Dream Wedding
Take a peek around our small wedding venue via our online virtual show round
Thank you to our fabulous suppliers, including:
Photography by: Various Recommended Photographers; Flowers by Lilylous of Ambleside c/o Cote How; Catering by Karen Healy Outside Catering c/o Cote How; VW Campers