About Atlanta
Atlanta is a beautiful city located in the state of Georgia in the southeastern United States. Beginning as the small town of Terminus in 1837, the city experienced growth over the years, and eventually transitioned from a central transportation hub to an important cultural and commercial center in the American South. As such, Atlanta has several unique qualities that make it attractive for wedding ceremonies.
Small weddings in Atlanta take advantage of the city's diverse cultural influences, incorporating everything from traditional Southern charm to hip urban trends. From rustic farms and classic venues, there are plenty of options to satisfy any couple's desires. The city is also home to several charming bed and breakfasts where newlyweds can spend their honeymoon night in comfort or even plan an entire weekend getaway full of romance.
From luxurious suites overlooking enchanting gardens or quaint inns nestled among rolling hillsides, whatever style one is seeking when designing a small wedding ceremony, one should find it here in sweet old Atlanta!
Small Wedding Options in Atlanta
- Catering
Catering a small wedding in Atlanta is a breeze, with one of the city’s skilled food businesses handling your meals. The reason you should work with a caterer is simply that they offer menu options, work within your budget, and above all, get the heavy lifting done. For a deliciously unique twist, have one of the city’s food trucks for your wedding.
- Flowers
Work with one of the florists in Atlanta for your wedding floral arrangements. They can offer their expertise when it comes to choosing the perfect flowers for your big day and creating custom floral designs that reflect your style.
- Photography and Videography
A noted production hub, Atlanta’s photographers and videographers will do an exceptional job documenting your big day. From taking photos of all the key pre-wedding events to encapsulating the actual day, your memories deserve a professional with a keen eye for capturing the special moments.
- Music
The age-old question when planning a wedding is will you go with a band or a DJ? Whichever choice you go with, you are assured of keeping your guests on their feet with an Atlanta entertainer providing the acoustics.
Small Wedding Vendors in Atlanta
- Scrumptious Fare Catering
Scrumptious Fare Catering is a fully insured and licensed Atlanta caterer that serves home-style comfort dishes to weddings, private parties, and corporate events. Their menu offers a variety of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and hors d'oeuvres options that can be customized to fit your budget and suit your taste.
- Peachy Keen Wedding
Peachy Keen Wedding exists to ensure that your event will be handled with care and the utmost professionalism. The wedding planner handles everything related to producing your big day, from the day-of coordination and decor to taking care of the logistics. Besides weddings, they also specialize in corporate event planning.
- Danielle Brown Photography
Danielle Brown approaches each wedding with a passion for detail, professionalism, and a taste for creativity. They believe every bride deserves to have beautiful, unique photos that capture the memories of her special day. She shot her first wedding in July 2007 and officially opened her wedding photography business in 2009 as It's Your Day Photography.
Pros and Cons of Small Wedding Venues in Atlanta
Small weddings in Atlanta celebrate the special bond between couples in the presence of close family and friends, without needing excessive guests or expensive decorations. Here’s a list of pros and cons to consider when planning a small wedding in Atlanta:
Advantages
- The smaller guest list reduces overall costs as fewer people must be catered for, and fewer decorations will be necessary.
- Venues in the area tend to offer better deals for small weddings so that couples can get more excellent value from their venue costs.
- Smaller weddings allow couples more time with family and friends who come out to celebrate the special day.
- Couples have greater flexibility when planning pre and post-wedding activities. Since there are likely fewer guests at a small wedding party than at larger ones, couples don't necessarily have to prepare as many group activities or buy as many food items and decorations.
Disadvantages
- Since fewer guests are attending, those who weren't invited may feel slighted or disappointed if they were expecting an invitation but didn't receive one.
- Smaller weddings often require more effort from family members—usually those closest—so couples need to be mindful of this when deciding whether or not they want a small ceremony.
- Couples might miss out on getting feedback from all of their extended family members who weren't present at the event. Conversations aren't shared amongst everyone during small gatherings, so opinions from other relatives might not always get heard during these ceremonies.
Tips on How to Organize Small Weddings in Atlanta
A small wedding can be a beautiful and intimate affair. But, with a smaller guest list comes the need for more attention to detail to ensure everything goes smoothly on your big day. Here are a few tips on how to organize a small wedding:
- Choose Your Venue Carefully: When organizing any wedding, choose the right venue for you and your guests. In Atlanta, plenty of beautiful historic buildings, stylish loft spaces, outdoor gardens, and more can host smaller weddings with fewer than 100 people.
- Prioritize Your Budget: Setting a budget for your wedding is essential to avoid overspending or financial issues later down the line. When planning a small wedding in Atlanta, take the time to determine what kind of services and vendors are within your price range so that you don't spend more than necessary on unnecessary items or services.
- Hire Professional Caterers: Food is often one of the most significant expenses when it comes to weddings, but it doesn't have to be with smaller events where you can save money by doing things yourself or hiring professionals like caterers who can provide delicious food without breaking the bank too much.
- Stay Organized: Last but not least, staying organized should be one of your top priorities throughout organizing your small wedding in Atlanta. Keep all documents related to booking vendors and other services together in one place so that nothing gets lost or forgotten along the way—this will also help keep stress levels low during this exciting yet overwhelming time!
Famous Locations in Atlanta
- Swan Coach House
The Swan Coach House is one of Atlanta's most iconic historical buildings. Located on the Atlanta History Center grounds, it houses an art gallery, a restaurant, and a gift shop. Proceeds from the Swan Coach House support the visual arts community in Atlanta. The restaurant operates from Tuesday through to Saturday, and the dining establishment also offers complimentary valet parking.
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta Botanical Garden is a 30-acre estate run by a non-profit organization that promotes environmental awareness. It features well-laid-out gardens offering the perfect setting for strolls. Spring is the best time to visit when the selections of plants present a beautiful riot of color. The diverse gardens showcase the area’s flora and fauna with highlights including the Orchid Display House and the Japanese Garden.
- Fox Theatre
Dating back to the ‘20s, the Fox Theatre, located in Midtown Atlanta, features a Moorish design. It is worth visiting to catch a performance, with ballet, opera, and concerts regularly hosted at the establishment. Movie screenings are also frequently hosted at the theater. Notable performances at the Fox Theatre include Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley and the Wailers, and James Brown, among others.