How do you choose a small wedding venue?

Start with guest count, season, and weather backup. Look for a venue that fits your size comfortably, includes the scenery you want, and either provides vendors or lets you bring your own. For Colorado mountain weddings, consider altitude, sunset timing, and parking or shuttle access.

How many guests should we invite to a micro-wedding?

Micro-weddings usually range from 2 to 35 guests. The sweet spot is the people you genuinely want to stand with you — not the people you feel obligated to invite. A smaller list often means better food, a prettier setting, and more time with each person.

When should you book a wedding officiant?

Book your officiant as soon as you have a venue and date, ideally 6 to 12 months out for popular weekends. If a friend or family member is officiating, confirm early so they have time to get ordained (if required) and rehearse with a printed script.

What is a realistic wedding planning timeline?

For a small wedding, 3 to 9 months is common. Book your venue and date first, then photographer, officiant, and florist. Finalize the ceremony script 2 to 4 weeks before the wedding, send final guest numbers 2 weeks out, and confirm the day-of timeline one week before.

Can a friend or family member officiate our wedding?

Yes, in most states a friend or family member can officiate. The key is giving them a clear, printed ceremony script with cues and tips so they can lead confidently. In Colorado, couples can also self-solemnize without an officiant.

Wedding planning

Plan a wedding that feels like you — without the overwhelm

The best weddings are not the biggest ones. They are the ones that match the couple. This guide covers the four decisions that shape everything else: your venue, your guest list, your timeline, and your officiant. Whether you are planning a Colorado mountain elopement or a small backyard ceremony, these tips are drawn from the same planning materials used by Custom Weddings of Colorado.

Build your ceremony script See pricing

Wendee Vezzetti, wedding officiant and creator of the ceremony script builder — Wendee Vezzetti, M.Ed., wedding officiant and creator of the ceremony script builder.

Choosing a wedding venue

The venue sets the tone, the guest count, and the timeline. Start with how you want to feel, not how many people a ballroom can hold. For intimate weddings, the best venues are often small ceremony sites, vacation homes, mountain overlooks, gardens, or family properties.

Size first

Choose a venue that fits your list comfortably, not one that swallows it. A full room feels joyful; an empty one feels like a concert hall.

Have a weather plan

Mountain weather changes fast. Ask about backup indoor spaces, tent allowances, and sunset timing for outdoor ceremonies.

Visit the site

Photos are flattering. If you can, walk the space in person, note the sound, light, and guest flow, and check for restrooms and parking.

Ask about vendor freedom

Some venues require you to use their approved vendors. If you want flexibility, ask before you book.

For Colorado couples, Custom Weddings of Colorado offers a Summit County ceremony site report and a detailed how-to plan a Colorado micro-wedding guide with venue ideas and planning steps.

Building your guest list

The guest list is where most couples feel the most pressure. If you are planning a small wedding, treat it as a feature, not a limitation. Fewer guests means more time with each person, better food, and a ceremony that actually feels personal.

Start with the inner circle

Write the names of the people who would genuinely change your day if they were not there. Build outward from there only if budget and venue allow.

Use the plus-one rule

Give plus-ones to guests in long-term relationships, not as a blanket courtesy. This keeps the list intimate and your budget intact.

Set a number and stick to it

Decide the maximum before you send save-the-dates. The number you book for should match the venue you love.

Remember the ceremony core

The ceremony is for the two of you. The guest list should be the people you want witnessing that moment, not performing for a crowd.

For a full checklist approach, Custom Weddings of Colorado has a small wedding checklist and micro-wedding planning checklists that break guest lists into manageable steps.

Your wedding planning timeline

Small weddings can be planned in a few months, but the order of decisions still matters. Book the big rocks first, then fill in the details. Here is a simple timeline that works for most intimate weddings.

3–9 months out: Set your budget, guest count, and top priorities. Book your venue, date, and photographer.
2–6 months out: Book officiant, florist, and any day-of coordination. Send save-the-dates.
1–3 months out: Finalize the ceremony script and vows, order attire, and plan travel or lodging for guests.
2–4 weeks out: Confirm guest count, finalize seating, timeline, and vendor details.
1 week out: Rehearse, pack, and send the day-of timeline to everyone involved.

On the day itself, build in buffer time. Mountain travel, hair and makeup, and group photos always run longer than expected. A 15-minute buffer between every major block will keep the day calm.

For hands-on help, Custom Weddings of Colorado offers day-of coordination and full planning packages that keep the timeline on track.

Finding (or becoming) your officiant

The officiant shapes the energy of the ceremony. Whether you hire a professional, ask a friend, or self-solemnize in Colorado, the key is preparation. A nervous officiant with a great script will sound better than a confident one winging it.

Hire a professional officiant

An experienced officiant will guide your tone, keep the ceremony on time, and handle the legal paperwork. This is especially valuable if you want a custom ceremony or have family dynamics to manage.

Ask a friend or family member

This is deeply meaningful, but only if they are prepared. Give them a complete script, cue notes, and a rehearsal so they can focus on emotion instead of logistics.

Consider self-solemnization

In Colorado, you can marry yourselves with no officiant. You still need a ceremony script to read from, especially if emotions run high on the day.

Book early

Popular officiants book 6–12 months out for spring, summer, and fall weekends. If your date is flexible, ask about weekday or off-season availability.

To learn more about officiant services, visit Custom Weddings of Colorado — Colorado Wedding Officiant. For a do-it-yourself script that sounds professionally written, the ceremony script builder walks you through every section, includes officiant tips, and produces a printable script.

Watch how the ceremony comes together

A quick walkthrough of the builder: choose wording for each ceremony section, make it personal, and download a print-ready script for your officiant.

Wedding planning resources from Wendee

These planning materials from Custom Weddings of Colorado pair well with the ceremony builder:

How to Plan a Colorado Micro-Wedding — the full process from booking to ceremony day.
The Ultimate Small Wedding Checklist — guest list, venue, timeline, and day-of details.
Micro-Wedding Planning Made Easy Checklists — printable checklists for a smaller celebration.
DIY Small Wedding Workshop — including a Summit County ceremony site report with 31 possible spots.
Small Wedding & Elopement Packages — all-inclusive options for Colorado.
Colorado Wedding Officiant Services — custom ceremonies with Wendee.

Plan your ceremony script See pricing

Wedding planning FAQ

How far in advance should we start planning a small wedding?: Three to nine months is typical for a micro-wedding or elopement. Popular venues and photographers still book up early, so start sooner if you have a specific date or location in mind.
Can we plan a wedding without a coordinator?: Yes, but someone still needs to run the day. A friend, vendor, or day-of coordinator keeps the timeline moving so you can be present. Custom Weddings of Colorado offers day-of coordination for couples who want a hands-off celebration.
What is the most important part of the ceremony to plan?: The ceremony script. It is the only part of the day that is entirely about the two of you. A clear, printable script with officiant cues keeps everyone calm and makes the moment land.
Should we write our own vows?: You can write them fully, repeat traditional vows, or mix both. The builder gives you wording options for every style and lets you edit each line until it sounds like you.

Keep planning

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