Small wedding worries

Your wedding day is the day you make a serious and legal commitment to each other, so that's pretty special all by itself!

Years ago, weddings used to be just the ceremony and a meal - it's only fairly recently that they've become all day things that go on into the early hours of the next morning - and the people who got married back then still viewed their wedding day as special. You really don't need a load of people or a long party with lots of entertainment for it to be meaningful.

Also, when you are not having to pay out for a huge guest list, you have money to go towards making what you do have really special. So push the boat out on your meal, cake, flowers, outfits or whatever else is meaningful to you. And don't skimp on photography just because you are a small group. Your photos are the one thing apart from your rings that you will get to keep, so find a photographer whose work you really love and book them with all the money you're saving by avoiding the huge guest list!

As for the kids, I would pick a venue that has some space for them to hang out - outdoor space for if the weather is good and a side room if it's wet. And then provide some age-appropriate toys/activities to keep them occupied while the adults chill out over a relaxed meal.

And while you are inevitably going to be the centre of attention on your wedding day, there are lots of things you can do to reduce the focus on yourselves. Instead of having the groom waiting at the front for the bride's big entrance, either both be at the venue to greet guests as they arrive or if that's too informal for you, then walk up the aisle together. Don't have speeches. Reduce the formal photos to the bare minimum.