If you’re reading this, chances are that you’re a Christian couple who are engaged to be married and currently planning the upcoming wedding! If that’s not you, no worries, there is still plenty to absorb from this article whenever that time comes. But if it does describe you, first, we want to extend to you both our congratulations for choosing to tie the knot! Second, we want to help you with planning an appropriate size for the wedding.
The size of your wedding is an important aspect to consider. Believe it or not, contemplating a fitting size for the wedding is actually pretty common. But ultimately, it’s a subjective question that doesn’t have a right or wrong answer. The perfect wedding size depends on God, the couple, and a few factors unique to their situation.
We’ve listed a few of the big factors below. Each of them should influence the size of your wedding in a particular way.
Family and Friends
The size of a wedding is dictated by the number of family and friends in attendance. This is your big day, and for the most part, they will all want to witness it. Some of them will even be honored to participate in it as bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Nevertheless, sometimes due to a variety of reasons, some of your family and friends will be unable to attend the wedding. That’s why it’s important for you to set a preliminary date for the wedding and invite people to save the date. Those who RSVP on that date will become the foundation for understanding the necessary size of the wedding.
This initial RSVP number is important for the logistics of the wedding. If this base number is large, you will obviously need a venue capable of accommodating the expected crowd. If this base number is small, you can tailor your wedding reception to a smaller venue.
If you are intentionally looking to have a small wedding, there is a way to whittle down the guest list. You could choose to only invite close family and friends. This option is intentional, and a way of sharing your most special day with your most special people.
3 Financial Considerations
Finances play an understandably large role in the size of weddings. Generally speaking, larger weddings come with larger price tags. While some of you reading may have an unlimited budget, it’s more likely that most of you have financial constraints that need to be considered.
This article isn’t meant to be a price calculator. Instead, we want to give you some practical advice on what to expect in three large categories of financial planning for weddings. These three factors will help you approach wedding planning without too many surprises: People, Place, and Party.
As a general rule, more attendees mean more money. The number of people you choose to accommodate will directly affect your food pricing and might affect other plans that monetarily scale depending on the number of participants.
The venues for wedding receptions will vary in cost. Large venues typically cost more than smaller venues, but that’s not always the case. Depending on the location or prestige of a venue, a smaller place might cost more than a larger one.
Each couple has its own unique style and vision for the wedding party. The catering service and venue selection may play a small part in expressing that style, but what we’re really talking about are the decorations and trimmings. Be sure to integrate this factor into your wedding budget, and never underestimate the power of crafty helpers!
Pray About The Wedding
Prayer is always the first and final stop when it comes to deciding the size of your wedding. The other factors mentioned above may indeed influence the practicality of the situation, but this factor will influence the memory of the wedding. Praying about and adhering to God’s voice concerning your wedding will leave you both with a clear conscience.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of prayer to your life as a Christian, but your wedding day is no exception to the rule of prayer. In fact, it’s actually one of the more important moments in life worth praying over. We encourage you to pray for clarity and peace in your decision about the appropriate and inappropriate measures to take.
There is nothing wrong with wanting this day to be extravagant. It’s supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for everyone to enjoy together, and we think it’s appropriate to turn that vision into a reality by almost any means necessary. However, if you find yourselves trying to be extravagant for the very sake of being extravagant, there might be a prideful cause for concern.
Remember that there are others in attendance, and practically, they are either single or married. That means your wedding day will be a time of excited anticipation for their future wedding or one of memorable reflection on their own past wedding. Keep these people in mind while you plan your event, and understand that they will evaluate their own experience by being at yours.
It’s Your Decision
This is your big day as a couple. Although the previous categories are aimed at practical considerations and spiritual standards, ultimately, this is your decision to make as a couple. You two should have the final say in the decision-making process.
The thoughts of others should pale in comparison to the voice of the Holy Spirit and the desires of each other. Together, settle your decision in this order. First, make sure both consciences are clean with respect to God. Second, take each other’s desires into consideration and strive to make them happen. Finally, allow any insight from others you trust to dictate your decisions.
Remember, there is no right or wrong size if you’re listening and being obedient to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Doing so ensures that you are always making the right decision, and the wedding will be a perfect size!