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4 Ways to Make Your Small Wedding Less Awkward

I can’t lie – I love small weddings. I’ve always found them to be less awkward than a large wedding. What’s weirder than hundreds of people staring at you while you say your vows? I’m not sure, but I do know that a small wedding is so much more inviting!

Though if you were planning on hosting a large wedding and suddenly had to change plans, it’s jarring to be thrown into a miniature wedding. Is it still a wedding if none of your original guests are there? And what the heck do you do when timelines are thrown out the window? Where do you stand? Do people sit? Do you play music? What do you doooooo? 

Deep breath. Calm down. Your small wedding will be just as great because here are four easy ways to make your small wedding less awkward:

1.

Stop thinking it’s awkward

It’s easier said than done, but it really does boil down to reframing your mindset. What makes the wedding awkward for you? The lack of tradition? The lack of people? Having no prior experience or context with a small wedding? List everything weird or strange about having a small wedding. This gives you a base to know where your fears are and how to tackle them.

And those traditions we usually have at a large wedding? Throw ‘em out the window! As long as you’re legally married (or even symbolically!), that’s what constitutes a wedding. The size of your wedding doesn’t matter. Whether or not you have a bridal party doesn’t matter. You don’t have to even have a reception. Your wedding is simply a ceremony. That’s it.

2.

Find one special thing you can do for your day

If you go into planning a small wedding with the mentality of it only being your legal wedding, it’s going to feel awkward no matter what. Switch those thoughts around! This day is about you! You get to hang out with your partner and a few close people and live simply, beautifully. How often do you get to do that?

Instead, find one special way you can celebrate your day. Is that hosting dinner with your family after the ceremony? Is it cooking a massive brunch earlier in the day? Is it literally Netflix-ing the day away and taking a breather? Finding something to make your day unique and special to you will help separate the day from all of the other days you’re alive.

3.

Hold off on announcements/expectations/etc

When we announce we’re engaged, the world suddenly hands us their expectations they insist on seeing for your day. But…it’s not their day. It’s yours. When we feel pressure to report to the world about our wedding plans, we suddenly feel less like the day is ours and more like we’re meeting a list of demands. 

If you don’t tell anyone about your small wedding plans, the day becomes yours again. You can tell them later. Or not at all. Or tell them at your larger wedding!

4.

Let your heart out

When you have an intimate ceremony, you don’t have to worry about others judging you for the length of your vows, the content of your vows, or anything else they might try to throw judgment at you for. Even if you’re not particularly sappy people, your small wedding is a chance for you to take a step back from life and deeply reflect on your time together. So, write it out – say everything you never once said and don’t be afraid to say it. There’s literally no one else to judge you about it anyway.

If you’ve read through all of these and are still thinking, “Well do we have music? Should we process in?” My one last takeaway for you is this, do you want to? Ask yourself this through the process and only allow yourself to answer it, not Google, your parents, or anyone else who may influence your decision.

Have your small wedding plans set and are ready to start writing your vows? Pop over here for some actually useful advice on how to write them. 

Rather someone else writes them for you? We can help! Contact us here to set up a super fun vow session with us.

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2 Comments

  1. Darrien Hansen
    Darrien Hansen on January 20, 2021 at 7:31 pm

    I found it helpful that you mentioned how finding a special activity to personalize your big day can help make your wedding more meaningful. My sister is planning on getting married before she and her fiance move in together next month, but she is worried that their limited budget may prevent them from celebrating their wedding with their loved ones. Maybe they should look for small and affordable wedding packages that can help make their event meaningful.

    Reply
    • lizraeweddings
      lizraeweddings on January 20, 2021 at 8:37 pm

      Hi Darrien,

      Totally agree! And you don’t even necessarily need a large budget to do something special. It can even be something as simple as getting your favorite takeout meal. 🙂

      Reply

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