No Friends? Stunning Wedding Ideas for 50 Guests or Less

How to Host a Stunning Wedding for 50 Guests or Less

Let’s stroll down memory lane… to mid-2020 when the pandemic shut everything down and the emergence of the micro wedding exploded in popularity. As a millennial business owner, it’s been a crazy ride but we’re definitely becoming experts at pivoting. This particular pivot feels like it’s sticking around for the long haul and we couldn’t be happier about it.

It’s undeniable that there’s something magical in the air when you gather your closest friends and family for an intimate gathering where everyone is truly present. When you’re dreaming of a stunning wedding for 50 guests or less, this guide is packed with creative ideas to help you pull off the perfect intimate wedding.

Stunning Wedding Ideas for 50 guests or less

Why Smaller Weddings Are Gaining Popularity

Pandemic rules are out the window as of 2022, so why is the micro wedding still trendy? The truth is they’re not only practical, but when you’re only including 50 guests or less in your wedding plans, you gain a lot of intimacy and meaning. You get to focus on what’s truly important: celebrating your marriage with the people who mean the most to you.

A few ways to really amplify your micro wedding:

Splurge on meaningful details: smaller weddings free up some space in your budget and give you the flexibility to splurge on other things. Consider custom welcome boxes the night before your wedding or hosting a welcome dinner if everyone is traveling from out of town. Maybe you use that extra cash to hire a wedding painter to do live watercolor portraits for each guest as a thank you.
Get creative with your venue: For weddings with 50 guests or less, the more options you have for incredible wedding venues. Fewer guests means you can rent out a small boutique hotel, like the Port Townsend Inn, or even a small campground like Ashford Lodge, and make your wedding a full weekend event. Beautiful places with views of Mount Rainier and even some pretty incredible hikes are available for couples with less than 20 guests. (Note: Some locations in the National Parks will require permits, so check those out before deciding on your location).
Spend quality time with everyone: The number of times I’ve heard couples leave and wonder if they were able to chat with everyone, is more than I can remember. When you choose to have a smaller wedding, it’s a better guarantee that you’ll get quality time with each guest, rather than just a passing hello.

Creative Ideas for Hosting a Small Wedding

When you first consider hosting a wedding with 50 guests or less, it can be extremely overwhelming to think of all the things you’re going to “lose out on”. However, the smaller your wedding, the less you’ll have to stress over. In the end, it can be a lot easier to plan a small wedding, and we’re going to show you how.

1. Rethink Your Guest List

I recommend making this your number 1 priority because it’s the hardest part. (Ever heard of eating the frog?) Trimming your guest list can be a stressful experience and sometimes others may question or lack understanding as to your reasoning. The best way to start is by making a 4 part guest list: a) must invite, b) like to invite, c) won’t end the world and d) the meh list.

Your A list (or must invite) is everyone you’d be willing to move your wedding date for. Usually these are super close family members and friends, the ones who would actually notice if you disappeared for three days without telling anyone.

Your B list (or would like to invite) are your next level of friends, the ones you see a couple times a year and are important enough you’d cross county lines for their wedding. You’re friends, but you wouldn’t duck out of your favorite movie if they just needed a soda.

The C List is all of those people you feel like you have to invite but really don’t care if they show up or not. These are the easier ones to cut off your list; your twice removed aunt who wants invites to everything but never shows up, or your mom’s co-workers who watched you grow up but wouldn’t recognize you in the supermarket.

Finally the Meh list: These ones are the guests others insist you invite, the plus ones or the coworker who invited herself. Most of these people get a kind but firm “We would love to invite everyone, but our wedding budget has restricted us to family only”.

Pro tip: If cutting the list feels impossible, consider splitting your event. Elope on a mountain side with your favorite people, then come back and party with everyone else.

2. Go All-In on a Unique Venue

With 50 guests or less you can do more things! You’re not restricted to standard wedding venues and have options for some truly unique experiences.

If you’re a wine lover, consider renting out a vineyard after hours for a beautiful sunset view (Like M+J did when their original wedding was postponed due to illness). They wandered the property and had the most beautiful sunset ceremony with their closest 25 people.
A tiny campground where your guests can rent cabins or trailers, and pitch tents for the brave ones. Jackie + James hosted a weekend getaway in the summer of 2024 and it’s one of our favorite ways to experience a wedding!
Consider renting or returning to the place you had your first date. Lanya + Robert chose to get married at the top of the hike where they spent their first date. It was a four hour excursion with some pretty killer views for their nuptials.
A destination micro-wedding where you tie the knot and honeymoon all in one. The Port Townsend Inn has a beautiful boutique hotel with 35 rooms you can rent out and get married on their stunning property.

Smaller spaces, like Brix on Main in Buckley, can also offer services that make them feel like the building was made just for you.

3. Personalize the Experience

Choosing to have a wedding with 50 guests or less, it becomes easier and more affordable to personalize your wedding day! Whether you’re into DIYing your custom elements or hiring a professional, the sky is the limit for personalization. Consider one or all of the following ideas:

Customized place cards: With smaller guest counts, large seating charts may seem a bit over the top. Hand painted place cards or tiles make a great keepsake! You can even combine them with an interactive favor (think a mixed CD of your favorite playlist with their name etched on the front) for an extra pop of flavor.
Interactive favors: When you really want to make your guest’s day, a “reception care package” with a DIY cocktail kit, tissues and mints is a fun offering. You could even gift mini potted plants with their names on them to double as their place card.
Meaningful moments: One of our favorite things that’s making its way around the social media platforms is to gather photos of one or both of you with each guest. Add it to a hand written note expressing your gratitude for their presence and your favorite memory of them. Consider making this a part of your reception care package because they’re likely going to need those tissues.

4. Elevate Your Food & Drink Game

One of the biggest perks of a wedding with 50 guests or less? A more flexible menu! Since you can extend your budget, it’s more feasible to serve a plated dinner or family style feast. You can spurge a little on farm to table fare or your favorite restaurant items.

Other upscale elements that will add to your day include individual desserts for each guest, or a mixologist to create a signature cocktail.

Bonus idea: Host a brunch wedding! Think mimosas, gourmet pastries, and a laid-back vibe your guests will love.

Making the Most of Your Budget

High impact items you’ll want to consider for your micro wedding include unique decor, professional vendors and interactive elements.

Décor: Opt for luxurious floral arrangements or unique rentals (hello, velvet chairs!). With fewer tables to dress, you can afford to splurge on show-stopping pieces.
Photography & Videography: Invest in professionals who excel at capturing intimate moments. A smaller wedding allows your photographers (like us!) to focus on candid, meaningful interactions.
Entertainment & Lighting: Hire a live musician or a small band for an unforgettable ambiance. Adding in uplighting, string lights or even candles can elevate the cozy feeling of your intimate wedding.
Focus on the Flow: A thoughtful timeline ensures there’s never a dull moment. For example, transition smoothly from a heartfelt ceremony to an al fresco dinner, followed by dancing under the stars.
Interactive Elements: Set up a DIY photo booth with props or a shared guestbook where everyone can leave a note (and maybe a Polaroid!) for you.

Embracing the Joy of Intimacy

At the heart of every small wedding is the chance to celebrate love in a deeply personal way. It’s about laughter that echoes through the room, shared stories over dinner, and hugs from everyone in attendance.

If you’re planning your own intimate wedding, remember—it’s your day, your love story, and your rules. When you’re hosting a wedding with 50 guests or less, the sky is the limit for making your day uniquely you.

Ready to capture your small wedding beautifully? We specialize in preserving the moments that matter most, no matter the size of your celebration. Let’s chat about how we can tell your story: www.markiejonesweddings.com

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