Handling Opposition

Of all the things that can stall a tiny wedding, opposition from friends and family has to be number one. You are getting married and suddenly your aunt can't understand why you don't want to invite her, her husband, her four kids, and dates for the older two. Do you love your aunt? Of course. Is she the reason you are getting married? No.

When you as a couple decide that you want a small wedding, the primary responsibility of your friends and family is to honor you by respecting your decision.

We no longer live in an era when weddings are planned from childhood and paid for exclusively by the bride's parents. Huge weddings mean huge costs. I have been to weddings that cost well over thirty thousand dollars. I have worked for a major hotel brand, and watched as a large wedding totaled over $120,000. Now, that huge wedding was exactly what the bride and groom wanted, and their families were financially well off, so even though that wedding cost nearly three times the average annual US household income, I could see nothing wrong with it.

Was the $120,000 wedding beautiful? Yes. Was it more beautiful than my best friend's $500 wedding? Not in the least.

If you want a small wedding and you are being pressured to have a large one ask yourself these questions.

Do you, as a couple, really want a small wedding?
Would a large wedding put a financial strain on you or your families?
Is there another way you can honor those you cannot invite, so they know you haven't simply forgotten them?

If you, as a couple, answer yes to these three questions, it is time to politely but firmly let everyone know you will be having a tiny wedding.

Until Tomorrow, Many Blessings