The Ultimate Small Wedding Checklist

So, you’re planning a wedding. Congratulations! But instead of a massive ballroom and a guest list that rivals a small town's population, you’re dreaming of something cozier. A small, intimate wedding with just your favorite people, less stress, and more meaning. We get it. Big weddings can feel overwhelming, expensive, and frankly, not very you.

Planning a small wedding, or a micro-wedding, is a fantastic way to focus on what truly matters: celebrating your love with the people who mean the most. But even simple weddings require some planning. Where do you even start?
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Don't worry, we've got your back. With over 20 years in the industry and nearly 1,000 small weddings under our belt, Wendee has perfected the process. This small wedding checklist will walk you through the essential steps to create a beautiful, stress-free day that’s all about you.

Step 1: Define Your Vision and Set a Budget

©️ Andrea Flanagan Photography | Zendi & Ryan chose to have a casual dinner with their guests later in the evening, but do a cake and celebrating at the ceremeony site right after their vows.

Before you fall down a Pinterest rabbit hole, take a moment to dream. Sit down with your partner and talk about what you both envision for your wedding day. What’s the vibe? Casual and relaxed, or elegant and sophisticated? What are your absolute must-haves? A breathtaking mountain view? An amazing photographer? A gourmet meal?
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Clearly defining your priorities from the start will guide every decision you make. This is also the perfect time to talk numbers. Creating a budget will help you understand where you can splurge and where you might need to save. Being on the same page about your vision and budget is the foundation for a smooth planning process.
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Step 2: Choose Your Date and Ceremony Site

©️ Andrea Flanagan Photography | This site is what we call "rogue" - no official booking of it. At the same time, it is on public lands and thus we recommend no more than 20 people to keep the natural environment pristine. Tread lightly.

With small weddings, you have so much more flexibility when it comes to venues. You're not limited to traditional wedding venues that cost a fortune. Think outside the box!
Some ideas for small wedding venues include:

• A scenic overlook in a national park
• The backyard of a beautiful vacation rental
• A private room at your favorite restaurant
• An art gallery or a cozy library

The key is to find a location that feels special to you. Wendee, our founder, has a knack for uncovering gorgeous, unique ceremony sites that aren't advertised for weddings. These hidden gems are often perfect for simple weddings and can save you thousands in rental fees.
Once you have a few ideas for small wedding venues, you can lock in your date.
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Step 3: Map Out Your Agenda and Logistics

©️ Kathryn Kim Photography | This site can be a little challenging to get to it - you need a high clearance vehicle and though the walk is short, it can be rocky. The Forest Service has also limited parking. So, consider your guests and the logistics, and plan for a little more time in situations like this.

Now it's time to think about the flow of the day. Creating a rough timeline, or an "agenda," early on will save you countless hours later. It doesn't have to be rigid, but having a general structure helps when coordinating with vendors. Your agenda should outline the sequence of events. For example:

• Getting ready
• First look photos
• Ceremony
• Family photos
• Celebration dinner or brunch

Having this outline makes it much easier to communicate your plans to your photographer, officiant, and other vendors. Wendee provide easy-to-use templates that you can modify to create your own wedding day agenda.
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Step 4: Arrange Lodging and Your Celebration Meal

©️ Kathryn Kim Photography | We often recommend nearby restaurant that have a semi-private area or private dining room for post-ceremony celebrations.

If you or your guests are traveling, now is the time to sort out accommodations. For a small group, renting a large vacation home can be a great option, sometimes even serving as the venue for your dinner!  Speaking of dinner, this is one of the areas where small weddings truly shine. Instead of a standard catered meal for hundreds, you have options. You could:

• Host a dinner in your own backyard with a food truck.
• Book a private dining room at a high-end restaurant.
• Hire a private chef to cook for you and your guests at a vacation home.

The intimacy of a small wedding allows for a more personal and memorable dining experience.
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Step 5: Book Your Key Vendors

©️ Kathryn Kim Photography | We include everything you need to make a small wedding or elopement feel significant: planner, photographer, officiant, florals, cake; and, we recommend restaurants + hair & makeup stylists our past couples have used. Our vendors are all experienced and professional!

With your date, venue, and agenda in place, it’s time to assemble your dream team. For most small, intimate weddings, the essential vendors include:

• Photographer: To capture all the beautiful moments.
• Officiant: To make it all official.
• Florist: For bouquets, boutonnieres, and maybe a little ceremony decor.
• Baker: For that perfect, delicious cake.
• Hair & Makeup Artist: To help you look and feel your best.

When you're hiring a small wedding planner or vendors, make sure their contracts are clear and that you feel a good connection with them. Efficient communication is key to an stress-free experience..... and Wendee has just the experienced and professional team for you built-in to our all-inclusive small intimate wedding & elopement packages. 
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Step 6: Focus on the Details

©️ Erin Lassahn Photography | This is where you can buy vow books, cake toppers, ring boxes, etc. Etsy.com is a great place to find customized and personalized designs.

This is the fun part! With the major logistics handled, you can now focus on the personal touches that will make your wedding unique. Create a style board with colors, flowers, and decor ideas to share with your vendors. This is also when you can purchase smaller items like ring box, guest book, or special champagne flutes.
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We also provide bonus tips in our course, like how to hold your bouquet correctly for photos and the best way to cut your cake without making a mess. It’s these little details that add up to a polished, seamless day. 
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Step 7: Craft Your Ceremony

©️ Kathryn Kim Photography | Though Phil is one of our officiants in our network, you can self-solemnize in Colorado or have a family member or friend perform the ceremony.

Even if you're working with a professional officiant (which we highly recommend), you'll want to personalize your ceremony. Think about:

• Processional and Recessional Music: Choose songs that are meaningful to you.
• Readings or Poems: Ask a friend or family member to share something special.
• Vows: Writing your own vows is a powerful way to personalize your ceremony.
• Special Touches: Think about ways to include children or honor loved ones.

The goal is to create a ceremony that feels authentic, sweet, and simple.
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Step 8: Prepare for the Big Day

©️ Kathryn Kim Photography | We definitely recommend keeping it simple - you don't need much to make a micro-wedding day memorable and beautiful. But, we do recommend working with a planner and onsite coordinator so EVERYONE can enjoy the day.

In the final two weeks, it's all about finalizing details and getting ready to celebrate. Your wedding checklist for a small wedding should include:

• Sending final confirmations and timelines to all your vendors.
• Packing an emergency kit with essentials like safety pins, pain relievers, and tissues.
• Hire an onsite coordinator to be your on-site point person for any small issues that might pop up.

With a little preparation, you can relax and fully enjoy your wedding day, knowing that everything is taken care of.

Let Us Handle the Planning for You

Feeling a little overwhelmed by this process and checklist? That's completely normal. Even simple weddings have a lot of moving parts. The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone.

At Custom Weddings of Colorado, we specialize in creating stress-free, intimate celebrations. Our small wedding planner services, led by Wendee, guide you through every step of this proven process. We’ll handle the logistics so you can focus on what really matters—marrying the love of your life.

Ready to plan a memorable, drama-free wedding? Book our services today and let's create your perfect day, together.

Contact Wendee TODAY!