Planning a small wedding in Spain starts with creating a carefully selected guest list, setting a realistic budget and choosing a venue that suits the size of the celebration. Next, you will need to decide whether the ceremony will be legal or symbolic, book the main wedding suppliers, and arrange travel and accommodation for anyone coming from another country. With good local planning, an intimate wedding can feel more personal, flexible and memorable than a large-scale event.
At That’sAmore, we help international couples organise small weddings in Spain, particularly in Andalusia. We connect their ideas with local venues and professionals so that distance, language barriers and logistics do not turn the planning process into a source of stress.
What Is Considered a Small Wedding?
There is no official number, but a wedding is generally considered small when it has approximately 20 to 60 guests. A celebration with fewer than 20 people may also be described as a micro wedding. An elopement, meanwhile, is usually reserved for the couple alone or a genuinely small group.
More important than the exact number is the intention behind it: sharing the wedding only with the people who matter most and creating an experience where every moment can receive the attention it deserves.
|
Type of celebration |
Approximate number of guests |
Characteristics |
|
Elopement |
2–10 people | Very private and simple ceremony |
| Micro wedding | 10–25 people |
Intimate format with some traditional wedding services |
|
Small wedding |
25–60 people | Full wedding celebration with a carefully selected group |
| Traditional wedding | More than 60 people |
Greater production, space and logistical requirements |
These figures are only a guide. A wedding with 50 guests can still feel very intimate if the venue, layout and schedule are thoughtfully designed.
Creating a Thoughtful Guest List
The guest list influences almost every decision that follows: the venue, catering, transport, accommodation and a significant part of the overall budget.
To make the list smaller without feeling that we are leaving out important people, we can ask ourselves the following questions:
- Do we have regular contact with this person?
- Have they been part of our story as a couple?
- Would we feel comfortable sharing the most personal moments of the day with them?
- Do we genuinely want them there, or do we feel obliged to invite them?
- Will we be able to talk to and enjoy time with every guest during the wedding?
One useful approach is to create an unrestricted first list and then divide it into two groups: essential guests and optional guests. This makes it easier to make decisions together and prevents the guest list from growing simply out of habit or obligation.
Choosing the Right Venue for a Small Number of Guests
One of the most common mistakes is booking a venue designed for a much larger wedding. However spectacular it may be, an oversized reception room can make a small group feel scattered and take away from the sense of intimacy.
For a small wedding in Spain, some particularly suitable options include:
- Private villas with accommodation.
- Fincas and traditional cortijos with inner courtyards.
- Boutique hotels.
- Country houses available for exclusive use.
- Restaurants with gardens or private dining rooms.
- Terraces with views.
- Seafront venues authorised to host events.
Before booking, we recommend checking minimum guest requirements, exclusivity, sound restrictions, permitted event times, nearby accommodation and whether there is a covered area available. It is also important to confirm whether the venue requires a minimum spend on catering, rooms or other services.
Does a Small Wedding Cost Less?
Reducing the number of guests generally lowers costs for items such as food, drinks, furniture and transport. However, a small wedding is not necessarily a low-cost wedding. Some couples use the smaller format as an opportunity to invest more in food, décor, music, photography or accommodation.
A practical way to allocate the budget is to prioritise three elements that will genuinely define the overall experience. For example:
- A private venue with accommodation.
- An exceptional food and dining experience.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Live music.
- Bespoke floral design.
- A pre- or post-wedding experience for guests.
This prevents the budget from being spread across too many secondary elements and helps create a more cohesive celebration.
Legal Ceremony or Symbolic Ceremony
International couples should check well in advance whether they are eligible to have a legally recognised civil marriage in Spain. The requirements depend on factors such as nationality, residency status, the type of ceremony and the relevant Civil Registry.
At That’sAmore, we specialise in wedding celebrations where the couple completes the legal marriage formalities in their country of residence and then holds a symbolic ceremony in Spain. This option gives couples the freedom to personalise the vows, celebrant, timing and setting without sacrificing any of the emotion of the wedding ceremony itself.
How to Plan the Wedding from Abroad
Planning a destination wedding means making important decisions without being able to visit venues regularly or meet every supplier in person. To make the process easier, we recommend using a shared planning calendar and dividing the organisation into different stages.
12 to 18 Months Before
- Set the budget.
- Prepare a provisional guest list.
- Choose the region.
- Hire a wedding planner.
- Book the venue and wedding date.
8 to 12 Months Before
- Book photography, videography, music and catering.
- Reserve accommodation or room blocks.
- Send the save the date.
- Plan how guests will travel to the destination.
4 to 8 Months Before
- Design the décor.
- Choose the menu.
- Confirm the type of ceremony.
- Prepare a wedding website or information guide.
- Organise additional activities.
During the Final Months
- Finalise RSVPs.
- Create the seating plan.
- Review timings and transport.
- Confirm dietary requirements.
- Prepare a contingency plan for rain or extreme heat.
- Coordinate all suppliers.
Taking Care of the Guest Experience
At a small wedding, every guest has a noticeable role in the celebration. We can make the most of this by creating a more personal experience, such as a welcome dinner, an excursion, a brunch the following day or small personalised touches.
If guests are travelling from the UK or other countries, it is advisable to provide information about:
- Airports and transport connections.
- Recommended accommodation.
- Transport to the wedding venue.
- Typical temperatures.
- Dress code.
- Approximate timings.
- Activities for guests who wish to extend their stay.
- A contact phone number in case of any problems.
There is no need to organise every minute of their trip, but it is helpful to reduce uncertainty and provide clear guidance.
A Small Wedding Still Requires Coordination
Having fewer guests does not eliminate logistics, contracts or set-up schedules. Several different professionals will still be involved, and everyone needs to know where to be, when to start and what to do if something unexpected happens.
At That’sAmore, we work as multilingual wedding planners in Andalusia. We design bespoke weddings and coordinate all the details on the ground so that couples can enjoy the celebration without having to become the event managers themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Weddings in Spain
How Long Should Guests Stay in Spain?
For a destination wedding, we recommend a minimum stay of three nights. This gives guests enough time to arrive without rushing, attend the celebration and rest before travelling home.
Can We Organise an Intimate Wedding on a Weekday?
Yes. As well as offering greater availability, holding the wedding on a weekday can make certain venues and suppliers easier to book. Guests should be given plenty of notice so they can arrange flights and time off work.
Is It Possible to Have a Small Wedding Without Assigned Seating?
Yes, particularly if you choose an extended cocktail-style reception, one long banquet table or an informal dinner. However, it is advisable to provide reserved seating for older guests, pregnant guests and anyone with reduced mobility.
Do We Need a Website for a Wedding with Only a Few Guests?
It is not essential, but it can be extremely useful for a destination wedding. A wedding website can bring together schedules, maps, accommodation, recommendations and answers to travel-related questions in one convenient place.
