Holly Darani 
Guest lists at the ready!
If you’ve decided to trade the 200-person gala for something a little more intimate in 2026, you are definitely not alone.
We’re seeing a huge shift towards "quality over quantity," but we know that scaling down your wedding doesn’t mean scaling down your vision (or your stress levels!).
Whether you’re planning a chic city microwedding, a backyard soirée, or simply want to splurge on the food rather than the headcount, we’re here to help you navigate the world of intimate nuptials with our ultimate guide to small wedding ideas below.
Planning a smaller wedding might feel like an easy way out, but it comes with its own unique set of challenges—like how on earth do you make a small restaurant private room feel like your wedding venue? (Ahem, we’ve all been there!)
Whatever your reason for planning a small wedding, it’s a wonderful opportunity to focus on the details, spoil your guests, and actually get to eat your own wedding cake.
To help you curate a day that feels grand in spirit but intimate in size, we’ve put together a complete guide to small wedding trends for 2026, along with advice from luxury planner and industry expert Holly Darani, owner of Events By Beau.
There isn’t a "standard" wedding size anymore, and that is the best news for couples! As we look towards 2026, Holly reveals that she’s currently working with more couples who are prioritizing "experience" over "attendance."
"And why not?!" she says. "Smaller weddings allow for a level of personalization that just isn't possible when you have 150 people to feed. You can swap the generic chicken supreme for a seven-course tasting menu, or trade the banquet hall for a historic library."
"Five years ago, couples worried that a small wedding would feel 'less than' or like a budget compromise. But that’s no longer the case. In 2026, we are seeing 'Micro-Luxury' take over—where the budget per head is actually higher, but the guest count is lower. It allows you to create a truly immersive atmosphere," she adds.
So, how do you bring the "wow factor" when your venue is a cosy bistro or a small garden?
The main point of concern for many of our couples is feeling restricted. A common worry is: "Small venues don't allow much freedom to decorate."
Holly advises that when you can't build out, you must build in.
"Don't try to cram a floral arch into a room that can barely fit the tables," Holly suggests. "Instead, focus heavily on the Tablescape. In a small wedding, your guests spend 80% of their time seated. Pour your budget into stunning linens, crystal glassware, bespoke menus, and low, lush florals. That is where the visual impact lives."
If you are struggling to make a small venue feel special without overcrowding it, here are 5 ways to maximize your impact.
When you are working with a smaller wedding venue, the floor space is precious real estate. You don't want your guests tripping over large plinths or squeezing past massive urns. The solution? Look up!
"Ceiling installations are amazing for small spaces," says Holly. "Whether it’s a cloud of dried baby's breath, cascading wisteria, or industrial bistro lights, decorating the 'fifth wall' draws the eye upward and makes even the tiniest room feel grand and airy."
If your wedding venue doesn't allow rigging from the ceiling, opt for tall, slender table centrepieces (like elevated gold stands) that sit above eye level. This adds drama without blocking conversation across the table.
One of the hidden benefits of a smaller venue is that you have total control over the atmosphere—and that includes the smell! In a massive ballroom, a scented candle gets lost. In an intimate private dining room, it creates an opportunity to personalise your wedding in a way most guests won’t have ever experienced.
We love the idea of scent-scaping your day. Choose a signature fragrance (perhaps fig and cassis for winter, or jasmine for summer) and use high-quality candles or diffusers to fill the room.
Be careful not to overpower the food! We recommend lighting the scented candles during the arrival drinks and the evening party, but stick to unscented tapered candles during the dinner service itself.
With a guest list of 150, hand-writing a note for every person is a recipe for carpal tunnel syndrome. But with 30 guests? It’s a beautiful, manageable gesture that will leave everyone in tears (the happy kind!).
Ditch the generic cardboard name cards. Since you have fewer settings to pay for, you can get creative.
Think embroidered linen napkins with their initials, laser-cut wood names, or a personalized menu for each guest that references a shared memory.
"I love when couples write a heartfelt letter to each guest and leave it on their plate," Holly adds. "It instantly makes every single person feel like the VIP of the day."
If the idea of a formal sit-down dinner feels too stiff for your intimate group, why not shake up the floor plan? A small guest count gives you the freedom to ditch the rigid round tables entirely.
Try mixing traditional dining tables with "lounge style" seating—velvet sofas, low coffee tables, and high-tops. This creates a relaxed "Speakeasy" or "Supper Club" vibe that encourages mingling. It feels less like a wedding conference and more like the best dinner party you’ve ever thrown.
This works exceptionally well for cocktail-style wedding receptions where the food keeps coming out on small plates all night long!
You might not have space for a massive photo booth or a 10-piece band, but you definitely have space for a lighting upgrade. In a small space, lighting is the single most effective tool for transforming the mood.
Harsh overhead lights can make a small room feel like a cafeteria. Ask your venue to dim the house lights all the way down and rely on "low and glow" lighting. We’re talking copious amounts of pillar candles, tea lights, and warm-white fairy lights.
"If you do nothing else," Holly advises, "spend your budget on amber-toned up-lighting or pin-spots for the tables. It creates that warm, fuzzy, romantic hideaway feeling instantly."
These concepts will offer up some inspiration if you're struggling to pin down a "vibe" that works for a smaller guest count.
Forget the DJ and the dance floor. In 2026, we love the idea of the "Long Table" reception. Picture one single, stunningly decorated table for all 20 of your guests.
Candlelit, endless wine pouring, family-style serving platters, and conversation that lasts until midnight.
"Invest in chair rentals. Since guests are sitting longer, make sure the chairs are comfortable and beautiful—they are a huge part of the decor visual."
Can't fly everyone to Italy? Bring the Amalfi Coast to your back garden. Small weddings are perfect for "transportive" themes because you can control the details so tightly.
Lemons on the table, a Spritz bar, terracotta pots, and an acoustic guitarist.
Since you aren't paying for 100 plane tickets, splurge on authentic catering. This will make a huge difference and won’t be out of budget thanks to the smaller guest list.
Perfect for those restricted venues! If you can't decorate the walls, fill the space with living plants.
Use potted trees brought indoors, wild overgrown florals on the tables, and botanical cocktails. It makes a small space feel alive rather than cramped.
It makes a small wedding feel like an escape. Something most couples are trying to do in 2026. Provide an experience that goes deeper than fairy lights and centerpieces and you’ll be the wedding friends and family talk about for the rest of the year.
To ensure your intimate day goes off without a hitch (and without family drama!), industry expert Holly answers some of your most commonly asked questions.
"Absolutely not," says Holly. "While it can be budget-friendly, many 2026 couples are keeping the same total budget but spending 5x more per person. It’s about reallocating funds. Instead of paying for a mediocre meal for 150, you’re paying for an incredible experience for 30. Think live painters, custom gifting, or top-shelf champagne."
"This is the hardest part," Holly admits (and we agree!). "The best approach is a blanket rule. For example, 'No partners unless married/living together' or 'Immediate family and best friends only.' People are generally understanding if they see it’s a truly intimate affair. If you invite one cousin, you have to invite them all. Stick to your rule and blame the venue if you need a scapegoat!"
"Not at all. The dynamic of a small wedding is different. It’s less about a 'rave' and more about connection. However, silence is the enemy. You absolutely need a playlist or live acoustic music. A jazz trio or a solo cellist adds an immense atmosphere without overpowering conversation."
We know that scaling down can feel like a challenge to navigate (especially with excited parents wanting to invite the whole neighbourhood!), but trust us, the memories you make at a small wedding are often the most cherished.
It’s an honour to curate a guest list of only your absolute favourite people in the world. So, tissues at the ready—because with fewer people in the room, everyone is going to see you cry during those vows!
Here’s to a day that is small in size, but huge in love.
Happy planning!
