How to Pick a Wedding Type?

Well first, definitely don't worry about what a wedding is "supposed" to look like! Thanks to COVID, many more people are having intimate weddings and it's accepted. So I would make a list of all the friends and family you know you definitely want to attend, and see how many that is. For example, my husband's family alone is like 50 people, so we knew a tiny wedding was out of the question. If you're on good terms with your parents, you can ask them if they want to invite their whole extended family and if they would help pay for it. Also think about your budget. A larger, more formal wedding is a lot more $$$.

It's really going to come down to two things - your guest list and budget. I would sit down with your fiance and write down every person you plan on inviting including if you plan on giving guests who are single a plus one. It also really is up to you exactly who you invite. Do you just want parents, siblings, grandparents and close friends or do you want to include aunts, uncles, cousins, coworkers, etc.? There really isn't a wrong answer to this question. Another thing you will need to think about is if you want to include children? We didn't include children, except for the flower girls and ring bearer. Others will completely forgo a flower girl and ring bearer and others will invite all children. This is a personal preference. As for budget, the larger the guest list the more it will cost. Some venues will have minimums. For example, our venue provided food and drinks and we had dollar minimum we had to meet for food and drinks. Other venues we looked at we had a dollar minimum and food and drinks as well as a guest count minimum which meant we had to guarantee so many people would attend. Also, depending on what you want, it will affect the budget. For example, some people will have an open bar with hard liquors and everything else and others will only offer beer and wine. I personally don't drink so I left the bar preference up to my husband. I would recommend deciding what your priorities are as that will influence your decision as well. There's honestly not a wrong answer to what you decide as long as you are being considerate of your guests. I've seen some posts on here where brides/grooms are so inconsiderate to their guests that I don't understand why they don't just elope. While the wedding is obviously about you and your significant other you don't want to completely disregard your guests.

As I'm professional wedding planner, choosing a wedding type can be a daunting task, but with some careful consideration and planning, you can select the perfect type of wedding for you and your partner. Here are some tips to help you pick a wedding type:

Determine your budget: Your budget will play a big role in determining the type of wedding you can have. Consider how much you are willing to spend and what type of wedding will fit within your budget.

Consider your personalities and interests: Think about your personalities and interests as a couple. Do you prefer a traditional wedding or something more unique and unconventional? Do you want a formal or casual wedding? Answering these questions can help you narrow down your options.

Consider the season and location: The time of year and location can also impact the type of wedding you choose. Outdoor weddings may be ideal for summer, while indoor weddings may be more appropriate for winter. If you have a specific location in mind, such as a beach or mountain resort, this can also influence your wedding type.

Decide on your priorities: What is most important to you on your wedding day? Is it having a large guest list, having a unique venue, or having amazing food? By deciding on your priorities, you can focus on the elements that are most important to you and plan your wedding type accordingly.

Get inspiration: Look for inspiration in magazines, wedding blogs, and social media to help you determine what type of wedding you want. This can help you identify trends and themes that you may want to incorporate into your wedding.

Ultimately, the type of wedding you choose should reflect your personalities, interests, and priorities as a couple. With some careful planning and consideration, you can select a wedding type that will make your special day unforgettable.

Sit down with fiancé and share your ideas. Make a list of what you both like, what you both dislike. Also a list of outside pressure ideas (from parents, social media, etc) that you will actively avoid because it doesn’t mesh with what you both want and you are not hosting their wedding.


In the same planning session, make a list of your must have guests whom you can’t imagine the day without. This does not include people your parents want you to invite whom you have no relationship with and those you have fallen out of friendships with over the prior years who are not part of your current lives. In addition, figure out how much you are willing and able to spend without asking for outside assistance from parents or the bank.
Do you both have a favorite season? Is there a specific time of year that is more available for you than the rest? Do you want to have the wedding local to where you live or travel to where your parents live?
Each of you pick out your top 3-5 areas that are most important to you. Focus your energy and money on those and eliminate everything else. All of the above information needs to be set in stone before you start to look for a venue.