Weddings around the world boast a wide range of sizes, from private elopements with just the bride and groom, to the largest recorded wedding with 150,000 guests. (Yes! That is not a typo!) That being said, the vast majority of American weddings fall into one of five categories:

• Elopement

• Micro Wedding or Intimate Wedding

• Small Wedding

• Medium Wedding

• Large Wedding

Today, we’ll explore the components of each wedding category, including the number of guests, ceremony and reception details for each category, and some of my favorite Kansas City wedding venues appropriate for each wedding size. 

Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Sizes | Kansas City Wedding Photographer

American weddings have flexed up and down in size over the years, with engaged couples becoming increasingly open to the idea of eloping in 2022. In part, this has been due to rising costs of living, but many modern couples are more open to elopements due to the trend of elopements the pandemic sparked in 2020 and 2021. 

Many couples who put off their wedding for a year (or two) are ready to celebrate in a big way, but the way they’re choosing to go all out varies. In 2023, engaged couples are choosing to make their weddings their own, and move away from some traditional wedding elements while incorporating more unusual elements that enhance their guest experience. A significant portion of 2023 couples are choosing destination weddings, which drive smaller guest lists by default, but involve a multi-day celebration. Some couples are keeping the details of the day and decor simple and elegant, but pulling out all the stops for a lavish reception celebration.

Wedding Photographer Kansas City

No matter what theme or style you choose for your wedding, there are several important distinctions and information I’ve acquired in my years as a wedding photographer. Kansas City is a great place to host weddings of every size, but today’s post is valuable for every engaged couple as they plan their wedding, no matter where you plan to wed!

What is an Elopement?

An elopement is a very small wedding ceremony, with no more than 20 guests. Many times, elopements include 10 or fewer guests, including the bride, groom and officiant. In some cases, an elopement consists of just the bride, groom, and their officiant. Most couples who choose to elope do not have a traditional wedding party, so there are no bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, etc.

Elopements can take place almost anywhere as permitted legally: your backyard, on a private estate, in a chapel or church, at a courthouse, on a mountain, in a field or other particularly scenic spot you love…even in a park or garden. Part of the allure of an elopement is the simplicity you’re afforded without a huge guest list.

Elopement ceremonies are usually conducted in the same way as other weddings, with an officiant presiding, and vows and rings exchanged. Some elopements may include a unity candle or similar, but many couples choose to keep things radically simple and focus on the simple intimacy of the moment. 

Elopement receptions vary depending on the wishes of the bride and groom. Some couples choose to elope, then have a large reception with dinner, dancing and all their friends and family. Others choose to have a nice dinner reception with traditional events, but keep the guest list to close family and friends. Often, elopement receptions take place in a home or private estate if there will be a small reception, or at a venue or hall if a larger reception is desired. Due to the nature of an elopement, some couples simply choose to make reservations at a restaurant and have the “reception” there by dining with their families and closest friends. 

Traditionally, elopements involved just the happy couple and their officiant, but over time elopements have evolved to be more of a simple affair with a few close family members present to witness the ceremony. Elopements are a frequent choice for second marriage couples, or couples who do not want to participate in the planning it takes to pull off a larger wedding, but that doesn’t mean elopements are low budget. 

Yes, you’ll save when it comes to venue and reception in many cases, but modern elopements frequently involve jaw-dropping scenery, intentional style and breath-taking photos and video of the intimate exchange. Most couples who elope opt for 3-6 hours of wedding photography coverage, which allows for a few getting ready photos, photos of the ceremony, photos of the newly married couple, and photos with close family.

As a Kansas City wedding photographer, a few of my favorite Elopement Venues in Kansas City include:

• Vineyard at Jowler Creek

• Vintage House

• Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

What is a Micro Wedding?

A micro wedding, or intimate wedding, is a small wedding ceremony with 20-50 guests. Often, micro weddings are a compromise between a couple who want to elope and their families who very much want to be present. Most micro weddings include a small wedding party, but typically no more than two or three attendants on either side. 

Micro weddings can take place on a private estate, back yard, or garden, or in a more traditional location such as a chapel, church or wedding venue. Micro wedding ceremonies usually involve an exchange of vows and rings, and can include additional elements such as first communion together, prayer, special music, unity candle, sand ceremony, etc. It all depends on your personal preference. 

Most couples who choose a micro wedding still desire a more traditional wedding experience, they simply want to keep the guest list to their very closest family and friends. Micro wedding receptions frequently mirror larger wedding receptions, and include:

• a cocktail reception

• seated dinner

• dancing

• additional reception events as desired

Most couples who choose a micro wedding opt for 4-7 hours of wedding photography coverage, which allows for a few getting ready photos, photos of the ceremony, photos of the newly married couple, and photos with close family.

A few of my favorite Micro Wedding Venues in Kansas City include:

• Cedar Crest Lodge

• The Elizabeth Loft

• Harding Creek Hideaway

Kansas City Wedding Photographer

What is a Small Wedding?

A small wedding is a wedding ceremony and reception with just 50-80 guests. Most couples who opt for a small wedding typically have a wedding party, which can be any size.

Small weddings can take place on a private estate with plenty of space, or in a more traditional location such as a chapel, church or wedding venue. Small wedding ceremonies typically involve an exchange of vows and rings, and sometimes include special music, first communion or prayer together, and other ceremony elements selected by the couple. Small wedding receptions can take place at the location of the ceremony if it is suitable for a wedding reception, but often they are held at a different venue if the ceremony takes place in a chapel or church. 

Small wedding receptions usually mirror a larger wedding experience, and include:

• a cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres'

• seated dinner

• dancing and reception events

Most couples who opt for a small wedding will need 7-8 hours of wedding photography coverage, which allows for some getting ready photos, photos of the ceremony and venue, photos of the newly married couple, photos with close family and photos of the reception.

A few of my favorite Small Wedding Venues in Kansas City include:

• The Journey Home

• Red Barn Farm

• 75th Street Events

What is a Medium Wedding?

A medium wedding is a wedding ceremony and reception with 80-100 guests. Most couples who opt for a medium wedding have a wedding party, which can be any size. 

Medium weddings can take place on a private estate, but more frequently they take place in a church, or wedding venue. Medium weddings can take place outdoors or indoors, depending on the climate and weather. Medium wedding ceremonies typically involve an exchange of vows and rings, and may include special music, special readings, first communion or prayer together, and other ceremony elements. Medium wedding receptions usually take place at a venue selected by the couple.

Medium wedding receptions are typically on par with small or large wedding receptions, and usually include:

• a cocktail hour

• seated dinner

• dancing and reception events

Most couples who choose a medium wedding will need 8-10 hours of wedding photography coverage, depending on the flow of their day. 

A few of my favorite Medium Wedding Venues in Kansas City include:

• The Yellow Barn

• The Brim

• Historic Taylor Barn

Wedding Photographer in Kansas City

What is a Large Wedding?

A large wedding is a wedding ceremony and reception with 101+ guests. Most couples who opt for a large wedding have a wedding party, which can be any size, but is frequently more than six people.

Large weddings can take place on a private estate, but it is more common they take place in a larger church or wedding venue. Large weddings can take place outdoors or indoors, but frequently they take place indoors to prevent any last minute shifts due to weather. Many large wedding venues have a pre-set plan to shift outdoor weddings indoors in case of inclement weather, which helps to alleviate any stress for the bride and groom related to weather. Large wedding receptions usually take place at a wedding venue.

Large wedding receptions typically include:

• a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres

• seated dinner

• dessert or cake cutting

• reception events and dancing

Most couples who choose a large wedding will need 8-10 hours of wedding photography coverage, depending on the flow of their day, but some will need up to 12 hours. Medium and large weddings often have more events throughout the day, such as getting ready, a special lunch or bunch for the wedding party, an outing of some kind for the groom and groomsmen, off-site wedding photos, and grand exit later in the evening. 

A few of my favorite Large Wedding Venues in Kansas City include:

• The Grand Hall at Power & Light

• The View at Briarcliff

• The Delaware

• The Stanley

You’re ready to tackle that guest list! What size wedding do you think fits you best? Let me know in the comments below, and let me know what questions you have about wedding sizes! I’m happy to help!

What do you want to do next? View real weddings on my blog, or read similar posts about wedding planning? 

Do you think I might be the right wedding photographer for you? If so, reach out today to check availability and schedule your complimentary wedding consultation!