There’s something undeniably magical about planning a 50 people wedding where intimacy creates an atmosphere that larger celebrations simply can’t match.
With a smaller wedding party, every moment becomes more meaningful as we share our special day with those who matter most—we simply can’t lose. Whether you’re considering a 50 person wedding for budget reasons or because you prefer a close-knit celebration, the advantages are numerous.
Here in Toronto, we’re fortunate to have numerous spots that cater to small wedding parties. Take The Loft on King, for example—a hidden gem built in 1844 that’s protected under the Ontario Heritage Act but maintains its charming factory-warehouse esthetic. It’s the perfect backdrop for an intimate ceremony.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about planning your intimate celebration, from finding the right venue to personalizing your ceremony and creating memorable experiences for your closest friends and family.
Choose the Right Venue for 50 Guests
Finding the perfect space for your intimate celebration sets the tone for the entire event. When selecting a venue for a 50 people wedding, consider these charming options that offer both functionality and atmosphere.
Rooftop venues with city views
Rooftop spaces provide breathtaking backdrops that need minimal decoration. Elsie’s Rooftop in New York features three outdoor terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a romantic atmosphere with greenery and industrial accents. This venue type works particularly well for 50-person gatherings, allowing guests to mingle while enjoying panoramic vistas.
The 620 Lofts and Gardens offers manicured rooftop areas with spectacular views of Fifth Avenue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, accommodating up to 165 guests. Meanwhile, venues like The Skylark provide premium vistas of iconic landmarks including the Empire State Building and Times Square, perfect for couples wanting dramatic urban scenery.
Cozy restaurant receptions
Restaurant venues deliver exceptional culinary experiences while offering built-in atmosphere. Unlike traditional venues where you pay separately for space and catering, restaurants function as venues with in-house services, often making them more cost-effective.
Most restaurants already have carefully curated lighting, stylish furniture, and artistic touches that require minimal additional décor. Furthermore, their experienced staff are adept at managing event logistics, allowing you to relax and enjoy every moment. For intimate weddings with 20-80 guests, restaurants create a more relaxed atmosphere than larger banquet halls.
Backyard or garden weddings
Hosting at a personal property creates an unmatched sentimental experience. As I walk around my childhood home or current residence on my wedding day, I’m reminded of wonderful memories associated with that space. This personal connection provides a cozy, intimate ambiance everyone appreciates.
Nevertheless, backyard venues require attention to logistics. You’ll need to determine if your yard is large enough for your guest count and flat enough for tables, chairs, and dance floor. Additionally, residential plumbing typically cannot accommodate more than 50 people, so renting restroom spaces (one bathroom per 25 guests) becomes necessary for larger groups.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden exemplifies professional garden venues, offering pastoral lawns and flower borders—an unforgettable setting for intimate celebrations. Their Lillian and Amy Goldman Atrium, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking Cherry Esplanade, accommodates up to 125 seated guests.
Make the Ceremony Personal
A truly meaningful ceremony captures the essence of your relationship. With a 50 people wedding, you have an extraordinary opportunity to create an intimate experience that feels authentic and deeply personal.
Keep the wedding party small
The beauty of planning a 50 person wedding lies in its intentional intimacy. Instead of having numerous attendants, consider limiting your wedding party to just your siblings or closest friends. Britt Rogers-Hanson, founder of Run Away With Me, notes that couples particularly enjoy “having an intimate experience with people you love” at small weddings, as “you have time to talk to people, and you’re not running from table to table greeting guests.”
Ditch the giant bridal party in favor of just a couple of siblings or best friends standing by your side. This approach creates a more relaxed, casual atmosphere where everyone feels involved. Take advantage of the limited guest count by arranging seating to give everyone the best view during your ceremony.
Include cultural or family traditions
Your ceremony becomes more meaningful when it reflects your heritage. Consider incorporating cultural rituals like a handfasting ceremony (Celtic), tea ceremony (Chinese/Vietnamese), or jumping the broom (African-American). These elements honor your roots while creating a wedding that truly reflects who you are as a couple.
For a multicultural celebration, you might recite vows in multiple languages, include prayers from different faith traditions, or blend ceremonial customs. Family rituals—like a special blessing from an elder or a candle-lighting ceremony honoring deceased loved ones—add personal significance beyond cultural traditions.
Write your own vows
With fewer guests, you’ll likely feel more comfortable sharing personal sentiments. Handwritten vows make your service feel special for everyone listening, especially in an intimate setting. Begin by expressing your affection, then share specific promises you’ll uphold throughout your marriage.
Consider these elements when crafting your vows:
- Include “I love you” (many couples forget this simple but powerful phrase)
- Address standing together through good and challenging times
- Share a meaningful anecdote that illustrates your relationship
- Make concrete promises beyond the standard commitments
- Acknowledge the role your gathered loved ones play in supporting your marriage
Remember, the most impactful vows reflect the unique bond between you two while remaining authentic to your relationship.
Design a Memorable Reception
The reception layout creates the atmosphere for your celebration after the “I dos” are exchanged. With strategic planning, a 50 people wedding reception can feel both intimate and lively, creating memorable moments for everyone involved.
Creative seating arrangements
Strategic seating arrangements enhance both function and esthetics at intimate weddings. Consider using unique display ideas like vintage maps with pinned locations marking places you’ve traveled together, or miniature gold frames holding guest names adorned with pressed flowers. For music lovers, vinyl records make distinctive seating charts, while suspended acrylic charts create a modern feel in greenhouse venues.
Remember that table placement significantly impacts guest interaction. For intimate gatherings, U-shaped or one long banquet-style table creates a communal dining experience where everyone feels connected. In contrast, several round tables offer a classic wedding feel while encouraging conversation among smaller groups.
Standing room or cocktail-style setup
Cocktail-style receptions promote a relaxed atmosphere where guests mingle freely throughout the venue. This format works excellently for 50 people weddings since you’ll have space for various seating options—lounge areas with comfortable couches, high-top tables with stools, and dedicated quiet zones for elderly guests.
Moreover, this approach broadens your venue options. Without needing space for a seated dinner, art galleries, historic homes, or neighborhood bistros become perfect settings. Just ensure you have ample waitstaff—one bar with two bartenders typically serves 100 guests comfortably.
Set up a dessert or snack bar
A well-designed dessert or snack station delights guests between dance breaks. For a cohesive look, select treats that complement your wedding esthetic—perhaps petit fours and chocolate truffles with designs matching your cake. Height variance is crucial; place cookies on flat trays while displaying mini cheesecakes on tiered platters.
Alternatively, create a themed snack bar with popcorn varieties in glass containers, complete with scoops and favor bags for guests to create their own mix. For sweet enthusiasts, a donut wall or tower offers a photogenic treat that doubles as decor.
Add Unique Touches to the Celebration
Personal touches elevate an intimate wedding into an unforgettable experience. With a 50 people wedding, every detail resonates more powerfully as guests feel genuinely included in your celebration.
Plan themed decor or dress code
Getting creative with dress codes becomes remarkably easier with a smaller guest list. Rather than traditional attire like black-tie or semi-formal, consider requesting specific colors that match your vision or themed outfits that complement your esthetic. For beach celebrations, suggest comfortable footwear like wedges or flats for sand-friendly support. Alternatively, establish a monochromatic theme where everyone wears varying shades of the same color, creating stunning visual harmony in photos.
Regardless of your chosen theme, communicate expectations clearly to prevent confusion. Most couples appreciate when guests make efforts to match their preferences.
Host pre-wedding events like brunch or spa day
Pre-wedding gatherings provide valuable bonding opportunities, especially when inviting friends from different life chapters. A wedding brunch offers a delightful option that mixes breakfast and lunch foods while saving on your wedding budget. Consider these brunch enhancements:
- Interactive food stations like build-your-own waffle bars with toppings
- Live jazz music creating ambiance as guests enjoy their meal
- Vintage board games encouraging mingling and conversation
Alternatively, a spa day creates lasting memories while reducing pre-wedding stress. Custom-designed packages can include facials, massages, and private treatment rooms. For smaller groups, private rooms typically cost $50-100 depending on day and service duration.
Organize a fun after-party
After formal festivities conclude, keep the celebration going with a distinctive after-party. Transform your venue with neon lights for an ’80s-themed dance party. Otherwise, host a cozy bonfire with blankets, cocktails, and DIY s’mores for a relaxed finale.
For music lovers, silent disco after-parties work perfectly for venues with noise restrictions. If you’re celebrating during warmer months, consider a pool after-party—providing branded pool attire in various sizes creates memorable photo opportunities.
Conclusion
Planning a 50 people wedding truly offers the best of both worlds – the meaningful ceremony traditions of larger celebrations combined with the genuine intimacy that only smaller gatherings provide. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored how venues like rooftop spaces, cozy restaurants, and personal gardens create perfect backdrops for your special day. Additionally, we’ve seen how personalizing your ceremony with meaningful vows and cultural traditions makes your celebration uniquely yours.
Your reception deserves equal attention, whether you choose creative seating arrangements, cocktail-style setups, or memorable food stations. After all, these thoughtful details transform an ordinary gathering into an extraordinary experience your guests will remember for years to come.
Most importantly, smaller weddings allow quality time with each guest rather than rushing between tables at a larger event. This genuine connection creates an atmosphere where everyone feels truly part of your celebration, not merely witnesses to it.
Remember, the magic of a 50 person wedding lies not in grand spectacles but in meaningful moments shared with those who matter most. Your wedding day should reflect your relationship and priorities as a couple. Therefore, focus on elements that bring you joy rather than following traditional expectations.
The celebration you create will become the first beautiful memory of your married life together – intimate, personal, and undeniably magical.
Budjet
Planning a wedding for 50 guests doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With smart choices, you can host a beautiful, intimate wedding while keeping expenses under control. Here are some small wedding ideas with price estimates to help you plan a memorable yet budget-friendly celebration.
1. Affordable Venues ($300 – $1,500)
Choose cozy venues like private gardens, small banquet halls, boutique hotels, or even a family backyard. Community halls and local restaurants often offer event packages at lower prices compared to traditional wedding venues.
2. Simple & Elegant Décor ($100 – $500)
Save on décor by using candles, fairy lights, and fresh seasonal flowers. DIY wedding decorations and handmade favors can cut costs by up to 50% while adding a personal touch.
3. Budget-Friendly Catering ($15 – $40 per guest)
For 50 guests, your catering budget could range from $750 to $2,000. Buffets and food stations are more affordable than plated dinners. Choosing locally sourced, seasonal dishes also helps reduce costs.
4. Wedding Photography ($400 – $1,000)
Hire a talented local photographer or book hourly packages instead of full-day coverage. Alternatively, ask a friend with good photography skills to capture candid moments.
5. Entertainment on a Budget ($100 – $500)
Skip expensive live bands and go for a DJ, acoustic performer, or a curated playlist. Set up a DIY photo booth and lawn games to keep guests entertained at minimal cost.
6. Cake & Invitations ($50 – $300)
Opt for a small two-tier cake instead of a large custom design. Digital invitations or printable templates can also save hundreds of dollars.
Pro Tip: A small wedding with 50 guests can cost between $2,000 and $6,000 depending on your choices. Focus on experiences, meaningful details, and spending where it matters most.
1. Wedding Planning Tips
“For more expert wedding planning tips, check out this complete guide from The Knot.”
Placement: After the “Why Choose a Small Wedding?” section.
2. Small Wedding Venue Inspiration
“Explore these beautiful small wedding venue ideas on Brides.”
Placement: Inside the “Choose the Perfect Intimate Venue” section.
3. Creative Wedding Decor Ideas
“Find more unique small wedding decor inspirations on Martha Stewart Weddings.”
Placement: In the “Personalize Your Wedding Decor” section.
4. Budget-Friendly Wedding Planning
“For budget-saving wedding tips, visit WeddingWire’s Budget Guide.”
Placement: At the start of “Upgrade the Food & Drinks Experience” section.
5. Destination Wedding Inspiration
“See breathtaking destination wedding spots on Brides’ Travel Guide.”
Placement: Inside the “Destination Wedding for 50 Guests” section.
6. Wedding Photography & Posing Ideas (Optional Bonus)
“For creative wedding photography inspiration, check out Junebug Weddings.”
Placement: Near the end of the article, after “Final Thoughts.”
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