How to Host a Cozy and Heartwarming "Family-Only Wedding" Party? ♡

How to Have a Family-Only Wedding?

The shape of a wedding varies from person to person. Some may choose to invite over 100 people for a grand celebration, while others may opt for a ceremony with just the bride and groom or a cozy gathering with only family members ♡

For larger weddings with a considerable number of invitees, there's plenty of information available. However, for a ceremony with just the couple, it's entirely up to them. So, how does a wedding involving only family members proceed?

This time, we will introduce some common questions that brides-to-be who are having a family-only wedding might have＊

Question 1: What about invitations?

Once you've decided to have a wedding with only family and reserved a venue, the next question is, "What about invitations?"

Invitations are typically one per family. If a bride were to hand out invitations, it would likely include "parents, siblings (if married), grandparents, and cousins."

Therefore, the number of invitations to send out is probably less than ten. Since everyone is a relative, some brides may choose not to send them at all... However, it's generally best to send invitations even if it's only family◎

Having a formal invitation gives a sense of "a proper wedding" rather than simply relaying the information verbally or via email, and it's convenient to include a map to the venue as well ♡

Plus, it's nice to have invitations and response cards as keepsakes from the wedding ♡

Question 2: What about seating arrangements?

When it comes to a family-only wedding, a common concern is the seating arrangement. You might wonder whether to create a main table and round tables or arrange rectangular tables...!

In the case of round tables, it's common to have a main table for the bride and groom plus about 2 to 4 round tables. With round tables, it's often the case that appetizers are served at Table A, soup at Table B, and fish dishes at Table C... This style allows the couple to move between tables and chat with guests ♡

The charm of this setup is being able to have leisurely conversations with all the guests ♪

On the other hand, rectangular tables provide a banquet style where the bride and groom sit in the center. This seating arrangement helps both families bond, creating a more relaxed atmosphere ♡

Question 3: How will the proceedings go?

When it comes to a family-only ceremony, you may find yourself unsure about the "proceedings" ◎ The schedule can be quite flexible; for example, you can enter the reception venue without a formal entrance, enjoy talking with guests without a break, or show a profile movie filled with treasured memories ♡

In larger weddings, it often gets busy with speeches and entertainment, but with a family wedding, you can take your time, which is wonderful ♩ It’s recommended to create a schedule that allows you to enjoy the moment slowly ◎

Question 4: Do we need an MC?

In a family ceremony, it’s also common not to have an MC ◎ If there is no MC, the venue staff often takes care of the basic hosting duties.

Since family weddings typically have fewer proceedings, if the venue staff can handle it, you don’t need to hire a professional MC! Of course, if you want a more formal ceremony or desire an entertaining male MC to elevate the atmosphere, then you should consider hiring one ♡

Question 5: Will there be a cake-cutting ceremony?

One common question for family-only weddings is, "Are we going to have a cake-cutting ceremony?" Of course, you can choose to do a cake-cutting ceremony or skip it!

However, because there are fewer guests, you might feel it's a waste to order a large wedding cake... Brides who feel this way might opt for a dessert buffet style while having a smaller wedding cake for the cake-cutting ceremony!

By combining the cake-cutting with a dessert buffet, guests can enjoy both, and it can also save costs ♡ Don't hesitate to discuss this with your wedding venue＊

Spend Irreplaceable Time with Family at a Family Wedding＊

We’ve shared five common questions asked by brides planning a family wedding ♡ Did we help clear up your concerns?

A wedding shared with family can feel a bit awkward, but being able to see the joyful faces of relatives will certainly lead to a satisfying experience ♡ If you’re a bride opting for a family wedding, be creative to ensure you have a fun time! ♩