Suggestions for small Wedding ceremony for couple (simple is key)
 

One of my good buddies is on the fence about having a small wedding ceremony/reception for close family and friends and I'm here to help him out.

Details:
Date: likely summer 2022
They have already been legally married for 2 years
maximum 20 guests
no bridesmaid/groomsmen
"ceremony" + reception would ideally be in the same venue
The simpler the better as they'd like to keep costs down.
The intent is more for old friends/family to hang out and have a good time. Nothing elaborate.
Leaning towards Asian themed but western themed is on the table

Would love to hear suggestions!

Another question: for these types of weddings where the couple is already married...what do people typically do for the "ceremony" component of it? Do they go through the same process (saying "I do", rings, etc.) or is it modified?

2018 my wife and I eloped to banff, got married at Morraine lake. After a week we came home and had our reception. We had it at my aunts house in august and it was lovely weather. About 50 people or so? Family and close friends, had it catered by Memphis blues and we provided all the alcohol. Was a fantastic intimate setting and everyone who came still mentions it’s their favourite wedding they’ve been to.

If they’re already married. Skip the fake ceremony and just have a good party

At 20 people or less, it is highly likely to be more practical to look for a private dining room in a restaurant versus a "wedding venue" where you then have to organize catering, service, etc separately.

-Mark

I agree with a restaurant etc.

My wife and I got married in my parents back yard, they have a nice property that we had about 120 people there. We opted for this because we knew it was what we wanted as opposed to doing it for saving money etc. and in the end we ended up spending wayyy more than if we had actually gone to a venue because you’ve gotta pay for and organize -everything-

Definitely want to go somewhere that they can arrange and provide everything for one cost, from that one location

Thanks for the suggestions
It sounds like while they want to skip the ceremony, one of the family members was out of the country at their initial ceremony where they signed papers, so they were hoping for something somewhat informal on stage so that professional pictures can be taken, both of the bride/groom but also with family/friends.

That's the part we're kind of stuck on as well. Do they go on stage just to say a few words? Something like what people do when they renew their vows (without actually renewing vows--none of us thinks that's necessary).

I edited the OP to clarify that they'd been married for 2 years so it has been some time since they got married.

Play a video of the ceremony that already happened.

Gotta have a Ferris wheel :lawl::pokerface:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6218708

Lavish, loud Ferris-wheel wedding of singer and politician in Surrey ticks off neighbourhood

IMO, since you guys are already married, the ceremony is more for a memory/occasion to celebrate the matrimony more than anything else.

I'd find a nice venue that don't break the bank, bring a catering/open bar and just have the party of your life.

Speaking of which, if you don't mind going out a little bit (6hr drive), PM me, I might be able to get you an amazing venue for free as long as you allow them to use some of your pics.

I had one this year in a hotel ballroom.
It was all decorated already just for quick and small ceremonies.

This was at a time when the provincial rules was still limited to 10 guests.

The issue with any wedding no matter the size is decor.

I get they want a small wedding, but who's organizing it, who's doing decor, etc.

These things still need to be done.

Even if it's done in the back yard of someone's house, who's going to set it up? Are they going to do food?

It's better to just do a dinner at a restaurant kind of like a reception.

A "small" wedding to me involves just as much work as a "big" wedding as the basics still need to be covered.

If they want easy, just do the vows in the back yard and then go to dinner.
Simple and easy, but I doubt it'll be all that special without some sort of decor or music or something.

Just saw this on dragons den. Around $3500 for a wedding. Go to a restaurant afterwards?

https://www.popupchapel.ca/

https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/m_pitc...p-up-chapel-co