Wedding Styles

Why (Small) Size Matters

Big blowout events may get all the attention, but brides who think small might be the ones having the most fun.

Mulling over a limited guest list for your nuptials? Here are some reasons to set your sights low.

1. Fewer guests equals less stress. Any bride will tell you, arranging the seating chart can be the most difficult part of your planning. "I want to seat Cindy with Elaine and Jennifer, but Jennifer's husband doesn't get along with Cindy's fiancé." A more intimate gathering can save you the stress of finding seats that will make 200 people happy-or will allow you to have the option of open seating (letting people sit where they want).
2. You'll save your saliva. Since you'll be cutting the number of invitations, you won't have to lick so many envelopes. You'll also cut postage and calligraphy costs. Remember, every cent you save means more money to blow on your honeymoon.
3. You'll have more elbowroom at the tables. Less can actually mean more in other ways: more booty-shakin' space on the dance floor, and more cake to pig out on. While the space is always a plus, the "more" that you'll appreciate the most is time, seeing as you'll be able to share longer moments with each of your special guests.
4. Everyone gets front row seats. Guests can get up close and personal to your ceremony smooch. No one has to sit all the way in the back and have her view obstructed by Aunt Mary's hat. Everyone will be able to gather around you and hear every vow.
5. You can pick a cool locale. With fewer guests on your list, you can celebrate your nuptials at a more inventive reception site-a charming inn, a fabulous new art gallery, an old Victorian home.
6. There's more cash per person for food. Caviar on toast points for 50 beats chips and salsa for 300. Cutting additional guests enables you to serve more elegant foods or bigger portions of the foods you love. You can spoil your guests with a 5-course meal including an intermezzo of sorbet or, if you'd prefer, a 12oz. filet mignon instead of 8oz.
7. The humiliation threshold is lowered. When your best man raises a glass to your most embarrassing moment, there will be fewer people to hear it. Need we say more?
8. You'll be cutting all the lines. Guests are always waiting in line-the receiving line, the buffet line and most importantly, the bathroom line. Fewer guests mean more dancing and fun time.
9. No post-wedding laryngitis. A lively crowd make for an entertaining, but noisy, party. Cut the guests and you'll be cutting the decibel level as well. The next morning your ears won't be ringing and you'll still be able to talk.
10. There'll be a sea of familiar faces. You might actually be able to look around the room and recognize all of your guests. No need for nametags or to attach yourself to your parents so you can ask them who people are. And when your photographer sneaks away to grab table shots of all of those happy people, he'll only be gone for a few minutes-not days.