small wedding planning checklist

Ever looked at your bank account and thought, “Y’know what? I’d rather elope with just my dog and a bottle of cheap champagne”? Same. But if you’re leanin’ toward a small, simple wedding—say, 30 guests or fewer—you’re in luck. A small wedding planning checklist is way less chaotic than the circus that is a 200-person bash. Think: fewer RSVPs to track, less seating drama, and way more cash left over for that honeymoon in Tulum. The key? Start with intention. Decide what truly matters—your vows under string lights? A killer playlist? Grandma’s pie recipe?—and build your small wedding planning checklist around that. Skip the fluff, keep the soul, and remember: intimacy ain’t a compromise—it’s a vibe.

Alright, let’s talk budgeting like grown-ups (but with more glitter). The 50 30 20 rule for weddings ain’t gospel, but it’s a dang good starting point. Here’s how it rolls: 50% goes to venue + food (’cause nobody likes hangry guests), 30% to “experience” stuff like photography, music, and maybe a planner, and 20% covers the extras—attire, invites, cake, and those cute little favors nobody takes home anyway. For a micro wedding, you can flip this: maybe 40% on a dreamy location, 40% on killer photos and food, and 20% on everything else. The beauty of a small wedding planning checklist is flexibility—you’re not locked into ballroom minimums or linen upgrade fees. You call the shots, boo.

Sounds like a TikTok trend, right? Nah, the 30 5 minute rule is actually a genius time-management hack for wedding day flow. It says: every major moment (ceremony start, first dance, cake cutting) should be announced **at least** 5 minutes before it happens—and give guests no more than 30 minutes between structured events. Why? Because folks get antsy. Too much downtime = drunk uncles doing karaoke unsolicited. A tight, thoughtful timeline keeps energy high and chaos low. And guess what? Your small wedding planning checklist is the perfect place to bake this in. With fewer people, transitions are smoother, so you can actually *enjoy* those quiet moments between toasts instead of runnin’ around lookin’ for the missing ring bearer (who’s probably nappin’ under a table).

Here’s the secret nobody tells you: goin’ small doesn’t mean goin’ cheap—it means goin’ *intentional*. With a guest list under 30, you’re not spendin’ $150 per head on chicken piccata you don’t even like. Instead, you could serve family-style lasagna from your favorite local joint, rent vintage china instead of plastic, or hire a live jazz trio that actually knows your song. Your small wedding planning checklist becomes a curated love letter, not a logistical nightmare. Plus, vendors often offer micro-wedding packages now—photographers might charge $1,800 instead of $4,000, florists create one lush centerpiece instead of ten, and planners offer “micro coordination” for under $1,000. Less crowd, more magic.

We’ve been there—staring at a blank Notes app, wonderin’ if you’ve forgotten to book… oxygen? Nah. Below’s a realistic, stress-free small wedding planning checklist broken down by timeline. No fluff, just what moves the needle:

Notice anything missin’? No seating charts. No favor assembly lines. No panic over plus-ones. That’s the power of a lean small wedding planning checklist—it cuts the noise so you hear your own heartbeat again.

Your venue sets the whole tone. For a small wedding, think outside the ballroom: backyard gardens, cozy cabins, art galleries, even a favorite bookstore (yes, really). These spots often cost less, feel more personal, and come with built-in charm—no $3,000 floral arch needed. Just make sure your small wedding planning checklist includes practicalities: restrooms, parking, weather backup, and whether Fido’s allowed. Pro tip: many restaurants offer private dining rooms for 10–30 guests with full catering included. Boom—venue, food, and tables in one contract. Less stress, more mimosa.

Not all vendors understand small weddings. Some try to upsell you on “minimum spends” designed for 150-person galas. Avoid those. Seek out pros who specialize in intimacy—like photographers who focus on documentary storytelling over staged group shots, or florists who craft one epic bouquet instead of 20 identical ones. When reviewing portfolios, ask: “Have you done weddings under 30 guests?” Their answer—and their enthusiasm—tells you everything. And hey, if they mention the small wedding planning checklist unprompted? Hire ‘em yesterday.

Yes, you *can* hand-calligraphy place cards—but do you wanna be up till 3 a.m. the night before your wedding with ink-stained fingers? Probably not. Focus DIY energy on things that bring you joy: baking cookies for welcome bags, curating a Spotify playlist, or writing your own vows. Outsource the rest—especially anything time-sensitive or perishable (looking at you, fresh flower crowns). A smart small wedding planning checklist balances heart and hustle. Remember: your presence > perfection.

With 20 people, you can actually *talk* to everyone. So design your day around connection. Serve family-style meals so folks chat across the table. Skip the head table—sit with your guests. Play lawn games during cocktail hour. Give a short, heartfelt toast instead of a 45-minute roast. These tiny touches cost little but mean everything. And because your small wedding planning checklist isn’t drowning in logistics, you’ll have brain space to notice when your grandma wipes a tear during your vows. That’s the good stuff.

Once your small wedding planning checklist is locked in, breathe. Then, take these final steps: confirm arrival times with vendors, pack a day-of emergency kit (sewing kit, mints, Advil, stain wipes), and assign a friend to be your “point person” so you’re not answering questions while tryin’ to enjoy your first dance. And while you’re in the home stretch, swing by Events By Gather for calm-before-the-storm tips, explore our Planning hub for printable timelines, or dive into day of coordinator checklist plan stress free day to ensure your big day flows like butter on warm cornbread.

References

• https://www.theknot.com/content/small-wedding-planning-guide
• https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/micro-wedding-checklist
• https://www.brides.com/simple-wedding-planning-tips
• https://www.marthastewartweddings.com/7892577/micro-wedding-budget-breakdown