Choosing to celebrate your big day with a small intimate wedding does not mean that it will be any less exquisite. The value of cherishing special moments with the people closest to us has been emphasized throughout the past couple of years. Weddings are one of life’s most cherished events that are even more appreciated now as loved ones are thankful to gather and celebrate. Planning a smaller affair allows flexibility to keep things as simple as you would like or get creative by adding personal touches and details.

Establish a Budget

Whether your small wedding consists of elaborate attention to detail or you are leaning toward an intimate budget-friendly celebration, deciding on your budget is a critical component of wedding planning. A small wedding allows more freedom in your budget and opportunities to splurge on the elements of your day that are most important to you.

For some couples, a small wedding doesn’t necessarily mean a small budget. A small celebration allows you to focus on elaborate details and custom touches. Foodie couples can go all out on gourmet cuisine. Couples with an eye for design can be extravagant with their floral selections. Those who follow Pinterest for the latest trends can elevate their tablescapes with specialty linens and fine china to elevate their weddings. Experience-seeking couples can splurge on an incredibly unique New Orleans wedding venue.

Conversely, a small wedding can be an excellent choice for couples on a tighter budget. Hosting a small wedding presents the opportunity to choose a boutique wedding venue, which often has more charm and less need and space to decorate. Consider selecting an artistically designed venue like Republic NOLA, which alleviates the need for much additional décor. Perhaps a quaint courtyard with naturally beautiful surroundings is more your style. Incorporating seasonal florals into your décor is a budget-friendly option, as they are often less expensive. Stretch your budget even further by finding out if a venue offers discounted rates for weekday weddings.

Regardless of your wedding budget, photography is an investment in the memories of your special day. Allow room in your budget to splurge on an excellent professional photographer. Capturing moments of your big day that you will look back on for a lifetime is priceless.

Select the Perfect Small Wedding Venue

Ok, so you’ve established your budget. Check. Now it’s time to choose the perfect wedding venue that both fits the budget and encompasses your unique style and vision. Messina’s Catering and Events caters at countless unique New Orleans wedding venues, including some that are prime for small weddings. Are the romantic and picturesque surroundings of a courtyard what you envision for your big day? The historic Chateau LeMoyne Hotel or the Pharmacy Museum may be just what the doctor ordered. The Rooftop on Basin is a prominent event venue full of history and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Whether you want to get married outdoors, in a chic venue with city views, on a rustic southern plantation, or at a historical landmark, New Orleans venues offer romance, character, and ambiance to help you create your dream wedding.

Craft Your Catering Menu

The catering menu is one of the best ways to infuse creativity and endless possibilities into a small wedding. Use your imagination and spoil your guests and yourselves. Work closely with your caterer to craft a menu that best illustrates your style and vision for your special day. Choose from a more formal multi-course meal, signature chef action stations, or displayed presentations. Be sure to incorporate some of your and your partner’s favorite dishes. (50gram) Special touches like custom craft cocktails, local cuisine, and the couple’s personal favorites leave a lasting impression on guests. A display with a selection of creole sausages or crawfish beignets with remoulade sauce are perfect choices for adding New Orleans flair to your menu.
Creative beverage options are another way to add ambiance and flair to your small wedding. For a fine dining experience, create a menu complete with wine pairings for each course and palate cleansers between. Bring on the fun by hiring a mixologist or creating a custom bar using accent furniture and décor to match the theme of your wedding. Don’t forget the champagne! Choose a special varietal of champagne to toast a celebratory speech or send-off.

Have Fun with Wedding Desserts

Let there be cake… donuts, petit fours, or even pie! The wedding cake is what most guests expect. But a small wedding allows you to be creative beyond the traditional wedding cake by exploring other unique options for sweet alternatives. A Pinterest-worthy donut wall makes for a great photo op for brunch weddings. Get creative with icing and cake flavor combinations by offering a variety of cupcakes as an alternative to a traditional tiered cake. Give your guests sweet memories to take home with cookies iced with your monogram or a customized candy bar to match your wedding theme.

Create a Lasting Impression

Small weddings naturally provide an intimate feel. They give you more freedom to keep or skip certain traditional wedding elements. They also allow you to bring more creativity and personal touches that provide uniqueness to the presentation and feel of your special day. Imagine china place settings with vintage stem glasses and personalized place cards, making each guest feel special.

Begin setting the tone for your wedding by sending personalized invitations. With fewer invites to send, you have the flexibility to customize every detail from the material they are printed on, choosing hand-painted artwork as a background, or creating a custom crest wax seal to set a luxe tone.

A small wedding might mean the dance floor won’t be packed all night. Consider incorporating other types of interactive elements and entertainment. There are so many options for entertainment that can accompany and even enhance the ambiance of your celebration and encourage guests to socialize. Photo booths, cigar rolling stations, or DIY candle stations are great ways to encourage guests to get out of their seats and give them a unique experience and favor to remember your wedding day. (Tramadol)

Make Your Small Wedding Spectacular with Messina’s

No wedding is the same, and we take pride in making each wedding special! As an experienced New Orleans caterer, we are experts in creative menu planning. We don’t have standard menus. We have menu templates we build from and customize for each couple. Whether your style is fun, romantic, elegant, or classic and down-to-earth, we have you covered as we help turn your vision into a culinary delight for your guests. Want to add a family recipe or home-town favorite dish to your menu? No problem! Want a signature cocktail? We’ve done it many times before! Let us help you create a customized and unforgettable guest experience!!!