Small Ceremonies, Big Impact: Couples Are Opting for Intimate Weddings

Strategic Insights -

Jessica and Dylan Lu wanted their wedding day to be meaningful, but they didn't want to break the bank on an elaborate affair. They booked the "Ceremony Only" package at La Venta Inn, an event venue on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and had a small ceremony with seven guests. Afterward, they celebrated with a limo ride to Korean barbecue and sushi, and did karaoke and drank beers. The couple's experience is not unique, as a growing number of couples are choosing to forgo conventions like cocktail hours and formal receptions in favor of exchanging vows and heading out – or home.

Key Takeaways:

  • A recent survey of 315 engaged or married couples by the wedding platform Joy found that reception-free weddings have increased by 200 percent, compared with data compiled last year.
  • Respondents cited the desire for a more personal event as the overarching reason for choosing a reception-free wedding.
  • Prices for small ceremonies vary widely, ranging from $500 for officiant fees to $7,000 for a venue rental, décor, photographer, and cake.
  • Many couples are choosing to forgo the stress and expense of planning a reception, opting instead to celebrate in a more low-key way, such as going out to dinner or watching their favorite shows at home.
  • Event planners and wedding industry experts attribute the shift to the early years of the pandemic, when large celebrations were put on hold, and to the increasing popularity of small, non-traditional weddings.
  • Destination weddings are also becoming more popular, with couples opting for simple ceremonies and small dinners in exotic locations.
  • Some couples are choosing to have their weddings in non-traditional venues, such as City Hall or a rooftop bar, in order to create a more personalized and intimate celebration.

Statistics:

  • Reception-free weddings have increased by 200 percent, according to a survey of 315 engaged or married couples by the wedding platform Joy.
  • Prices for small ceremonies range from $500 for officiant fees to $7,000 for a venue rental, décor, photographer, and cake.
  • 315 couples participated in the survey conducted by Joy.
  • Couples are choosing to have smaller guest lists, with some opting for as few as 7-10 guests.
  • The average cost of a small ceremony can range from $2,000 to $6,000.

Sources:

  • La Venta Inn, an event venue on the Palos Verdes Peninsula
  • Joy, a wedding platform
  • Jennifer Allen, owner of Just Elope in Dallas
  • Jocelyn Voo, owner of Everly Studios in Manhattan
  • Dana Lewis, owner of DWD Travel & Destination Weddings in Fort Worth, Texas
  • Melanie June Photography
  • Everly Studios