Have a small wedding and save money

You just got engaged! It’s supposed to be a very happy time, but it can also be overwhelming when you think about all of the details and planning to come.


Let me let you in on a little secret. Why not have a small wedding or just elope? 


For a lot of our couples, they just want to get married. They’ve been happy together for a lot of years and know the next right thing to do is to get married.  


Some couples get stressed by the thought of a large wedding, some come from big extended families from states that are thousands of miles away, other just want to sneak away and elope and others had the big wedding before and just want to keep things simple. 


Scrolling through Pinterest, Instagram and thoughts of your dream wedding is fun but it all costs time and money. 


So save your money and use in on something that lasts longer than one day! You can elope or have a small intimate wedding on a budget without compromising beauty or tradition. Here are a few suggestions on how to have a small wedding and save money:


Venue: Coastal California Weddings has some beautiful ocean front wedding locations. Some have small permit fees, while others are free. These ocean front locations are perfect for a small wedding. Bonus because they are naturally beautiful and you don’t need any extra flowers or other decorations. Mother Nature provides the beauty! 


Dress: Take a look at clearance racks at high end bridal stores. Or even some of the bridesmaids dresses may be a more casual option. I got my perfect wedding dress off the sales rack at David’s Bridal - I love it and it was a steal of a deal. Other brides get dresses from Amazon or a quick search on Google of white dresses could come up with the perfect, low cost dress for you. And, again, you will only be wearing the dress once. 


Food: Someone I follow on Instagram had her wedding catered by Chipotle. I know...sounds crazy huh?! It was a glam, Hollywood inspired affair. The bride wore a gorgeous, beaded dress and the venue was an art-deco dream, but burrito bowls were on the menu. RibLine also has options for catering and food to pick up. Another suggestion is a brunch wedding. Breakfast foods are less than dinner and you can include mimosas as a signature cocktail. Go for venues that provide all inclusive options so you don’t have to pay extra for the tables, chairs, linens etc. You could also have a large party dinner at a local restaurant so you are still celebrating with family and friends but aren’t paying large fees to rent out space.


For Chipotle catering click here. They have burritos, salads, and bowls and all come with chips and salsa. The closest Chipotle is in San Luis Obispo.  A few of our locations have picnic benches so you can enjoy a meal with family at the same location as your wedding ceremony.


Here the information for Rib Line. Rib Line is located in Grover Beach.


Music: That’s easy nowadays. Come up with your own playlist and have that playing on wireless speakers. One of your guests can gift you a bluetooth speaker as a wedding gift too. If you don’t have a playlist, Youtube has some great music options for free.


Flowers: Coastal California Wedding’s packages include a bride’s bouquet. We source local flowers to save on the cost of bouquets. We also don’t add on extra fees for our standard bouquets. Especially with covid, the price of flowers has gone up and their availability has been difficult at times. We make sure your bouquet is still your wow piece! 


Favors: It’s always nice to give a gift to those who celebrated with you. I always love getting gifts. :) For a plant themed gift, let nature do the work for you. I love using small potted succulents. Wildflowers in mini vases are also a lovely favor idea and you can write a special thank you tag around the vase. 


Here's how to make the succulent gifts:

Pots - I found these cute ones at Amazon

Succulents - your local hardware store or garden shop should have them. If you want to try a local garden store first, they may give you a discount if you were buying in bulk

Dirt - the same place you got your succulents from would be the place you get the dirt from

Tags - I found that Avery has some printable gift tags


Whatever you decide for your small wedding or elopement, remember that it’s really about the love the two of you share. If you decided to have guests, make those family and friends feel extra special. Think of your wedding more of a celebration of love - have fun, enjoy the special people you invited and don’t break the bank! Hope you enjoyed my ways to have a small wedding and save money.


By Natalie Jones February 27, 2025
Here’s why you should have a small wedding in Pismo Beach Small weddings are the way to go these days! We aren’t just saying that because small weddings have been our thing since we started our business back in 2015. A small wedding can have the same parts of a large wedding - unforgettable moments, celebration with friends and family and the start of the rest of your life together. But, small wedding have a few more benefits like - less stress, less more, and more of the two of you and what you want for your wedding! We love the scenery of the Central Coast for small weddings. There are million dollar views - from your toes in the sand at one of the beach locations, to overlooking the ocean, to shaded eucalyptus trees, and jagged cliff sides. Small weddings are our favorite because the couple is free to focus on the most important things, like having their day, their way, spending the day with the people who truly matter, and having an amazing day packed with lasting memories. What Is Driving the Trend Toward Smaller Weddings? Several factors are behind the increasing trend of smaller weddings. Modern couples are redefining what it means to celebrate love, and in most cases, they focus on quality over quantity. Small weddings have become for popular and couples embrace fewer guests and find the beauty of intimate gatherings. Changing societal norms and the desire for unique, personalized experiences also make smaller weddings an attractive option. How Do Small Weddings Create More Meaningful Connections? Small weddings foster more meaningful connections by allowing couples to spend quality time with each guest, creating an intimate and personal atmosphere. With fewer attendees, conversations feel more genuine, and guests feel truly valued and appreciated. Some couples will have a few day long celebration for their wedding - starting a few days before the wedding with wine tasting or seeing the sites of the Central Coast, then relax on the beach the next day. After some fun in the sun, it's wedding day. The day will end with a group dinner or casual private reception. Then, the guests will leave and the couple has a few more days to celebrate their honeymoon in Pismo Beach or other beach location. This setting also encourages deeper interactions, making it easier to share special moments, heartfelt toasts, and personal stories. Without the hustle and chaos of a large event, couples and their loved ones can be fully present, strengthening bonds and making the celebration even more memorable. How Does a Smaller Guest List Reduce Wedding Stress? Planning a wedding can be quite challenging. It is easier for couples to plan their weddings with smaller guest lists, as this dramatically lowers their prospects of worrying. Incorporating fewer guests into a wedding means that there are fewer logistical elements to take care of, such as catering, seating arrangements, accommodations, and more people to please. This way, couples can spend more time and energy making their special day more unique instead of fretting over accommodating numerous people. A more personal gathering helps create a homely and calming vibe, giving the couple a chance to make the most of each interaction with their guests. Most importantly, a smaller guest number means that there would be fewer changes needed at the last minute, which translates to lower expenditure and costs. Hence, all attendees, coupled with the couple, can fully enjoy themselves without feeling the pressure of the wedding arrangements. What Are the Financial Benefits of Hosting a Small Wedding? Hosting a small wedding can be a cost-effective choice, offering couples the chance to allocate their budget more intentionally. With fewer guests, expenses for catering, venue size, and decor are reduced, freeing up funds for other priorities such as an unforgettable honeymoon or investing in a dream home. This financial flexibility allows couples to create a celebration that reflects their values and vision without overspending. Celebrate your love story with us! Small weddings are more than just a trend—they represent a shift in how couples approach one of the most important days of their lives. By focusing on intimacy, meaningful connections, and thoughtful planning, small weddings offer a unique and heartfelt way to celebrate love. For couples looking to create a stunning and intimate wedding experience, Coastal California Weddings is your simple and stress-free way to plan your wedding. We provide expert guidance and inspiration.
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