Some couples just don’t have the time, budget or desire to host a large wedding. Whether you’re in a hurry to tie the knot or you simply want a quiet event on your own terms, the choice of a small wedding can be the perfect option for you. These simple strategies can make your small destination wedding perfect.

Splurge on the Pictures

Regardless of the reason behind your decision to have an intimate ceremony, the fact that you’re making this choice doesn’t mean your wedding is any less special or deserving of remembrance. There are lots of reasons whya small wedding is better for some couples, but even these folks will want something special to remember the big day. Hire a professional photographer and stage some beautiful pictures—even if you set this up after you’ve already gotten married, you can dress up, go somewhere pretty and take some awesome photos to keep for the rest of your lives. Plus, you can send these pictures to family members and friends who are happy for you but might feel a little left out. 

Send Out Formal Announcements (After the Knot’s Been Tied)

Actually, beyond simply sending out pictures, it can be a good idea to send out a formal announcement to all of the people you might have invited to your wedding. Sure, you can call your close friends and family and post on social media, but that’s not a guarantee that everyone will get the message. Plus, there’s just something nice about getting a notice in the mail about something as happy as a wedding. Choose pretty stationery and see the announcement as a way to relive the happiness of your big day. 

Purchase a Commemorative Item

A wedding date is an important set of numbers to remember regardless of how large or small your guest list was. Commemorative personalized gifts featuring the names of both spouses and the date of the event are always special, even for an elopement. In fact, a small engraved ring box or a pair of cufflinks engraved with the elopement date can be an extremely thoughtful and loving gift to your beloved on the day of the ceremony.

Choose the Ultimate Location

Unless you’re in a truly desperate hurry to say your I Dos, why not take just a little bit of time to think about the ideal ceremony location for you? This could be as simple as taking a legally recognized wedding officiant to a special place near your home, like a beautiful park at sunset or the top of a secluded mountain. You could also combine your wedding and honeymoon in a single trip and travel to an exciting destination halfway around the globe. Some destinations, including beachside resorts, big cities like New York and marriage meccas like Las Vegas, are used to catering to small weddings, and they can give you and your new spouse the experience of a lifetime with minimal planning ahead.

Need some help making your ceremony special? Wedding decorations can help as well. The fact that you’re getting married without all the pomp and circumstance of a full ceremony doesn’t mean you can’t say your vows in style.