Fewer Guests, More Magic: The Sacramento Small Wedding Playbook
You don’t have to have a large celebration to have a memorable and meaningful wedding. A smaller guest list can mean that you can spend more time with the people that matter most to you, and that your wedding can be a more personal experience.
Finding the right venue to host an intimate wedding can be surprisingly challenging. Some venues may be too large, too formal, or lacking the amenities you need.
Knowing what to look for can make your search much easier. The right wedding venue should fit your guest list, your style, and your budget.
In this article, we will explore the best types of venues for small weddings, what to consider when choosing one, and questions to ask before booking. Table of Contents
How Many Guests Are Usually Invited to a Small Wedding?
Knowing how many guests you want to attend your wedding matters. Booking a venue with the capacity for 200 guests when you may only have 30 has the potential to make your wedding feel lonely instead of cozy and intimate.
There are several classifications for small weddings, and the distinction will matter when contacting potential venues. They are:
Micro: Under 20 guests
Small: 20–50 guests
Intimate-mid: 50–75 guests
An elopement is distinct from a micro wedding because an elopement usually has no or minimal guests and doesn’t typically take place in a formal venue. A micro wedding, on the other hand, is an actual event; it is simply small.
Venues must adhere to fire codes based on guest capacity, and some require a minimum number of guests.
What To Look for in a Small Wedding Venue
As you begin searching for the perfect venue for your small wedding, there are several factors to consider, including:
Room-to-guest-count proportion: What is the true capacity of the space? Will it feel vast and empty for your headcount? You want to find a space that doesn’t feel too large and take away from the vibe you want for your wedding.
Layouts: Does the venue have small rooms? Venues with large spaces may have flexible layouts such as movable walls and curtains to scale down the space for intimate weddings.
Decor: Does the venue have warm lights, soft furniture, or low ceilings to make the space feel more cozy and intimate instead of empty and lonely?
Guest minimums: Does the venue have a low or high guest minimum? You don’t want to pay for people or food for more guests than will actually attend.
Privacy: Is the venue for private use when you book it, or is it a shared building? This distinction could impact your decisions.
Twenty-Mile House is an all-inclusive wedding venue in California with beautiful, serene outdoor spaces that are perfect for intimate weddings. This one-of-a-kind venue is nestled in the midst of the picturesque Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Where To Have a Small Wedding in Sacramento: The 6 Best Types of Small Wedding Venues
When planning a small wedding, the venue will significantly impact the atmosphere of the ceremony.
Common venue types with intimate settings that couples consider include:
Historic homes
Cozy lodges
Scenic mountain or rustic barns
Private vacation rental properties
Cabins
Nature retreats
#1: Restaurant & Private Dining Buyouts
For couples looking for an exclusive private venue, a restaurant buyout may be an ideal option.
Benefits of a full or partial restaurant buyout include:
Built-in catering
A night-out feel
The need for very little extra decor
A warm environment
Staff who already know how everything operates
No need to rent tables, chairs, plates, etc.
Couples looking to get married in Sacramento may find a venue that meets their needs in the downtown/midtown dining scene.
#2: Hotel & Boutique Inn Buyouts
Couples who have out-of-town guests attending their wedding may find a hotel or boutique inn buyout as an exceptional choice of venue.
The benefits of this type of venue are:
Exclusive access to the amenities
Ability to use any space on the property without strict public venue guidelines
Flexible timelines
Staff is focused only on your group
Built-in accommodations and catering
No late-night noise restrictions
Places for guests to mingle naturally
Renting a space like this helps make planning the wedding events a more seamless process.
#3: Urban Event Spaces & Galleries
Couples who desire an open, customizable space may choose to rent an urban event center as a wedding venue.
Benefits include:
Space that can be easily changed to match the vibe you want
Modern style
Open layouts
Centrally located for access to hotels and food for guests
Cozy environment
Usually have tables and chairs
Such locations are typically rented out by the hour. Although they are ideal for couples who want to bring their own style, they do require a bit more planning to arrange catering and other elements.
#4: Backyard & Private Estate Rentals
A more relaxed and home-like comfort can be achieved by opting to rent out a private estate or backyard as your wedding venue.
Benefits of this option include:
Intimate setting
Design freedom
Relaxing atmosphere
Fewer decorations needed
Flexibility
While there are many benefits, this type of venue requires bringing in all vendors, including catering and tents. Parking, restrooms, and power also must be worked out and could necessitate hiring a wedding planner to help coordinate the details.
For a similar feel without the hassle, Twenty Mile House is an all-inclusive outdoor wedding venue near Sacramento. The stunning scenery provides the perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding, and the staff helps arrange all the details and vendors in-house, taking the stress away from planning a wedding solo.
#5: Wine Country Venues
Selecting a wine country venue for a small wedding provides a naturally gorgeous setting with an intimate atmosphere.
The main benefits of these types of venues are:
Natural beauty that is ideal for photos
A relaxed atmosphere
Built-in entertainment with wine tasting and tours
Local catering pairs well with regional wines
Little decor needed
Slower pace and easy flow
It is important to note that many of these spaces require a minimum guest count or may require you to spend a certain amount per person on food and beverages, which could work against your wedding budget and the number of guests you truly want.
#6: Garden & Botanical Venues
The built-in natural beauty of gardens and botanical venues makes them an ideal choice for small weddings.
Benefits of such venues include:
Ready-made backdrops for photos
Little decor needed
Relaxed atmosphere
Space that feels cozy and peaceful
Budget-friendly because less money is needed for flowers
Although these venues are gorgeous, they often have restrictions and permits that must be followed. While each venue may have slightly different rules, general restrictions include:
Plant protection: Wedding parties and guests are not permitted to pick, cut, or attach decorations to flowers, plants, or trees.
Debris regulations: Confetti, rice, birdseed, fake flower petals, glitter, and sparklers are generally not allowed to protect soil and wildlife.
Sound: Speakers often require permits and must remain at low levels.
Time: These venues typically limit activities to two-hour blocks.
Privacy: These spaces generally remain open to the public, even during the wedding ceremony.
Alcohol: Alcohol is not usually permitted at these venues.
When Sacramento Isn't Quite Right: A Worth-the-Drive Retreat
Even though a couple may want a small wedding, it doesn’t mean they need to sacrifice the feel of it. When Sacramento venues don’t quite fit the vision you have for your wedding, you may need to explore options that fit the bill a little further out.
At Twenty Mile House, your small wedding can still feel like an event. A private estate retreat 2–3 hours from the city isn’t a compromise; it has all the amenities you could want to make your wedding the celebration you desire.
Benefits of booking Twenty Mile House, an outdoor wedding venue near Sacramento, for your wedding include:
No noise restrictions
Options for multi-day celebrations
On-site lodging for the wedding party and guests
All-inclusive vendor options to simplify the planning process
Beautiful outdoor spaces
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Weddings in Sacramento
Is It Cheaper To Have a Small Wedding?
Logically, it seems like having a smaller wedding would lead to saving money. In some ways it does.
Small weddings can save couples money by:
Needing less money spent on catering if the cost is per person
Requiring fewer tables, chairs, and centerpieces
Printing and sending fewer invitations
Having the option to rent smaller spaces
But small weddings don’t always equate to savings. Some hidden costs for small weddings can impact your budget, including:
Venues with minimums or flat-rate fees
Needing to rent tents, portable bathrooms, and generators
Fixed costs for photographers and officiants
Mandatory service charges
Set-up and break-down fees
Tips
Marriage license fees
Postage for invitations
Snacks or gifts for the wedding party
Favors for wedding guests
What’s the Best Time of Year for a Small Wedding in Sacramento?
October, April, and May are the months most recommended for small weddings. Both have the advantage of mild temperatures and beautiful scenery.
Spring weddings offer fresh blooms and lush green landscapes, but rain showers are a more frequent possibility. Fall weddings offer crisp air, golden-toned scenery, and enjoyable evening temperatures. The downside of these seasons is that weekend dates fill up quickly for venues.
A summer wedding is more challenging to navigate due to high temperatures. If you choose to have your wedding in June–August, plan a late-evening or indoor wedding with air conditioning.
A winter wedding offers the best bang for your buck. Temperatures are cooler, and the seasonal demand is low, so vendors and venues will have lower prices and greater availability.
How Far Should Guests Travel for a Small Wedding?
For a localized wedding, guests typically don’t drive more than an hour and a half to attend because they can comfortably make the trip without the need for an overnight stay.
For weddings 2–3 hours away, guests usually need accommodations when they attend. A 2–3 hour drive (4–6 round-trip) isn’t as easy, especially if the wedding takes place in the evening.
When guests are expected to travel more than three hours or require a flight to get there, your wedding becomes a destination wedding, requiring more planning and logistics.
When your guest list is small, it is easier to ask people to travel a longer distance because you will be inviting the people who are most important in your lives, and you are already closest to them.
What Questions Should I Ask Before Booking a Small Wedding Venue?
Before finalizing your choice of venue, it is important to ask questions to get a complete picture of the cost and what to expect when you have your wedding.
Questions to consider asking include:
Minimum guest count: If a venue requires you to pay for more guests than you will have, that may impact your final decision.
Spend requirements: Is there a minimum amount you must spend on food and beverages? If so, you will need to see if that aligns with your headcount.
Vendors: Ask what is included in the cost. Are the vendors included, or are they sourced separately, adding to the cost? Also, ask if the preferred vendors have high minimum fees.
Space: Determine if the space is shared with other wedding parties or is for your exclusive use. If the space is large, ask how they make the space feel full and cozy for smaller weddings.
Restrictions: Ask if they have noise or time restrictions that may affect your wedding vision.
Lodging: Do they have lodging to accommodate your out-of-town guests, or will you have to look for accommodations separately?
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Weddings in Sacramento
Twenty Mile House is a unique wedding venue that is worth the drive out of Sacramento. Able to accommodate small weddings, our venue offers 200 acres with incredible views in the midst of the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
We have three outdoor locations to help you bring your wedding dreams to life. Our forest location, our lush garden, and the rushing river all offer beautiful backdrops for intimate ceremonies.
With tons of picture-perfect locations on the property, on-site accommodations for your wedding party and guests, and in-house vendors for all of your wedding needs, what’s not to love?
Contact us today to book a tour!