Seems everyone is touting the benefits of small weddings these days. Not long ago Cosmo ran an article called Why Small Weddings Rock.

“Designer dress. Jaw-dropping location. Stunning flowers. Amazing band. Yep, even on a modest budget, a Hollywood-style wedding is possible when you keep the numbers down. The less you have to spend feeding throngs of people, the more you can splurge on the things that matter to you,” writes Cosmo.

Tyra Banks is also singing the praises of wee guest lists in Why Small Weddings are Hot in Hollywood:

“Not only will cutting the guest list give you plenty of wiggle room for all the chic touches you’ve been envisioning, it will give you an excuse to fill the room with only your nearest and dearest … Cutting it down to an intimate affair will save you from forfeiting your must-haves, and it will give you the wedding you have always dreamed of.”

Why is the mainstream media catching on to this trend? The “R” word. The economy has really added fuel to an already growing trend. Couples realize cutting the guest list means that they can still have a great wedding without going over budget. In 2009 the trend will grow even bigger.

Rock on small weddings!

Save

As you browse the wedding venues at IntimateWeddings.com, you’ll notice that many of the venues are inns and bed and breakfasts.

Inns and bed and breakfasts are ideal small wedding venues. Whether you want a small decadent indoor wedding or a simple garden wedding on a budget, there’s sure to be an inn or bed and breakfast to suit your needs.

Although many couples choose inns that they have previously stayed at to get married, some couples choose small wedding venues they’ve never visited. It might be an inn just a few blocks away, or one on the other side of the country – or even the globe.

If an inn piques your interest, there are things you need to discuss with the innkeeper before choosing it as the venue to have your wedding.

Here are some essential questions to ask an innkeeper before you say “I do”:

How many guests can the Inn accommodate?

How much will it cost?

Do you have all inclusive package deals?

Where is the ceremony held? Is it indoors or outdoors?

If the ceremony is outside, is there room inside in case of inclement weather? If not, will a tent be provided?

Where is the reception held? If the reception is outdoors, is a tent provided?

Is there a wedding coordinator on site the day of the wedding? What about a florist? A photographer?

Is there an onsite caterer?

Who performs the wedding ceremony? Do we need to hire our own minister?

Is alcohol permitted? Can we bring our own?

Can we bring our own cake or other food items?

What type of reception meal is available? Is it buffet or plated? Can I have a brunch reception? What about a cocktail reception? What about a seated dinner?

Do you have a dance floor?

Do you allow music? Can I hire a deejay or a band?

Can we rent out the entire inn?

Do you have a changing room for the bride and bridesmaids to get ready in? What about a changing area for the groom and his attendants? If not, will we have to rent a room in the inn for this purpose?

How far in advance should we book our wedding?

Are you open year round?

Can we save money by getting married off season?

Do we have to stay overnight at the inn to get married there?

How much time is allotted for our wedding if we are only renting the space for the day?

Is there a group discount available to my guests if they stay overnight?

Is there ample parking for wedding guests?

Save

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make on your wedding planning journey is where to have it. Because there are so many unique wedding venues, the decision can be difficult.

 When it comes to choosing a location, two heads are better than one. Sit down with your spouse-to-be and make a list of potential sites. He might think of places that didn’t even cross your mind.

 Keep the following in mind when deciding on a location:

 Size

Ideally, you should visit a venue beforehand to get a feel for its size.

Because you are having a small wedding, you might feel dwarfed in a venue that is too large. Conversely, if you are having several dozen guests, you want to make sure that you don’t feel cramped.

Budget

Chances are, not all small wedding venues will fit into your budget. If you’re on a tight budget and the venue you want is beyond your price range, think about having a brunch or cocktail reception at the venue instead of a plated dinner.

Meaning

Is there a place that has special meaning to both of you? Maybe you have a favorite bed and breakfast or a restaurant that is special to you. Choosing a meaningful location will help personalize your wedding.

Practicality

Would you rather get married inside or outdoors? If an outdoor wedding sounds more appealing, keep in mind that it can be more stressful (you are at the mercy of the elements!) and more expensive than an indoor wedding. If you’re the adventurous type and your idea of a perfect wedding is on the side of a mountain, don’t forget that your guests might not appreciate having to hoof it up the mountain in their Sunday best.

Availability

You might have the perfect spot in mind for your wedding, but are you sure the venue hosts weddings? If so, you’ll also have to find out if it has noise and alcohol restrictions.

Flexibility

If you are flexible with the time of week, and the time of day you want to get married there will be more small wedding venues available to you. There’s a greater chance that your chosen venue will be available on a Sunday night, than on Saturday. Remember that no matter what you choose for your wedding date, it’s best to start your search for a venue early. Places can book up over a year in advance.

 Ideas for Small Weddings and Small Wedding Venues

The following list of ideas for small weddings is a good place to start. The linked items will take you our venue finder and a list of venues that match the venue type. It’s a great place to browse for venues and to get venue ideas.  It might help you remember some unique and interesting venues in your own home town or somewhere you’ve visited in the past.

•  Your home, or the home of a friend or relative
• Favorite vacation spot
• Bed and breakfast
• Church
• Chapel
• Hotel
• Inn
• Restaurant
• Plane
• Boat
• Train
• Museum
• Loft/Studio/Gallery
• Historic mansion
• Theatre
• Resort/Lodge
• Lodge
• Country Club
• Mountaintop
• Forest
• Park
• Amusement park
• Water Park
• Island
• Vineyard/Winery
• Brewery
• Skyscraper
• Castle
• Ranch
• Farm
• Barn
• Beach
• Famous landmark
• Hot air balloon

Save

If you love quaint fishing villages and rocky seascapes, why not tie the knot on the East Coast of Canada?

There are plenty of venues that are perfect for East Coast weddings.

Here are just a few to spark your imagination. (They are also great spots to honeymoon!)

Prince Edward Island Weddings

Rustico Bay, Prince Edward Island

Whether you’re an Anne of Green Gables die hard or not, you can’t help but fall in love with both Cavendish and Rustico Bay, in the heart of Ann’s country on the northern shore of PEI. Located near Prince Edward Island National Park – with its sandy beaches, cliffs, dunes, marshes and forestlands, Rustico is a utopia for nature lovers.

Just imagine taking a pre-wedding stroll along one of the quiet clay roads, before saying “I do” at an inn overlooking the glittering sea. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

Venues

Barachois Inn – This 15 room inn was built in 1880 as a Victorian Country House for local merchant, Joseph Gallant. The Barachois Inn is close to Cavendish Beach – the home of “Anne of Green Gables”. Ideal for an elegant wedding with a moderate number of guests.

Dalvay By the Sea Heritage Inn and Dining Room – This luxurious 1895 inn, located in Dalvay, which is 30 minutes outside of Rustico, is one of the only seaside resorts in PEI. It hosts weddings during the shoulder season in May and early October. The venue can accommodate up to 100 guests.

Wedding Planners

Caseley’s Wedding and Event Planners – If you are planning a destination wedding in PEI and you need some assistance, this company, located in Kensington, PEI, can help you with the details.

Nova Scotia Weddings

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Lunenburg, located on the Lighthouse Route in Nova Scotia an hour outside of Halifax, is one of the prettiest towns in Canada. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg has long been the heart of Nova Scotia’s fishing and shipbuilding industry (the Bluenose was built there) and more recently is home to a thriving artistic community.

Its charm lies in its beautiful harbour, its exceptional architecture, its museums, quaint shops and galleries. A gorgeous place for East Coast weddings.

Incidentally, if you’ve seen the movies Simon Birch or Doloris Claiborne, you’ve seen Lunenburg. They were both filmed there.

Venues

The Lunenburg Arms Hotel – This 26-room boutique style hotel, which overlooks the harbour, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bluenose Golf course, hosts weddings with up to 125 guests in its convention centre.

The Old Fish Factory – Although it doesn’t sound like an appealing place to tie the knot, this restaurant, which is located on Lunenburg’s historic waterfront at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, is a popular spot in Lunenburg to say “I do.” The restaurant, a former fish processing plant, specializes in seafood and can accommodate groups of 25-300 for sit down meals.

Arbor View Inn – This country inn, known for its award winning cuisine, is nestled on a wooded estate with quiet garden paths and plenty of privacy. Weddings take place in the dining room of the six-room inn. Great for intimate gatherings.

Newfoundland Weddings

St. John’s, Newfoundland

Newfoundland is becoming one of the hottest destinations in Canada, not only for tourism but East Coast weddings. Its capital St. John’s, the oldest city in North America, is located on the steep inland side of St. John’s Harbour. With its colourful buildings, rocky shoreline, and ships docked in the harbour, St. John’s is true eye candy. But it’s more than just a pretty face. It’s filled with fun shops, galleries, museums and restaurants.

Venues

The Fairmont Newfoundland – This venue, which is a first class hotel and landmark situated in the heart of St.John’s, offers breathtaking views of the harbour, the historic city centre, and Signal Hill.  Wedding packages include complimentary accommodation for the bride and groom, champagne, breakfast, and more. The hotel has a professional team of wedding planners that can assist you with your wedding.

Leaside Manor – Rated as one of the top Canadian romantic destinations by the Globe and Mail, the Leaside Manor, a Tudor mansion and heritage property located minutes from downtown, is an ideal setting for weddings with less than 60 guests. Numerous wedding packages are available at the inn.

The Waterford Manor – The elegant Waterford Manor, a private inn built in 1901, plays hosts to weddings. The Victorian style heritage inn has seven rooms tastefully decorated with 19th Century local antiques. The Inn was featured on the cover of The Canadian Bed & Breakfast Guide (98/99 edition).

Wedding Planners

Live Wire Events – Whether you want an elegant wedding at a hotel or bed and breakfast or a wedding on the rocky shoreline or fishing pier, these wedding planners can make your vision a reality.

History Buffs

If you’re a history nut, why not get married at one of Canada’s historical museums or monuments. Signal Hill and Cabot Hill for instance are just a couple of sites that are available for wedding ceremonies.

Save

Butterfly releases at weddings are becoming increasingly popular and butterfly farms are springing all over the place to meet the demand. I can see the appeal. Butterflies are marvels of nature and an obvious symbol of transformation. And they’re eye candy. But before you run out and order a bunch in the mail for your wedding, read this article. It might make you lean towards flower petals.

Save