Is a 120 Person Wedding Considered Small? Guest Count, Trends & Planning Tips

If you've ever tried trimming down a wedding guest list, you know how wild things can get. Deciding who makes the cut—distant cousins, old school friends, your mum’s work buddy—is like playing social Tetris with real emotions. So, when you hear someone say, “We’re keeping it small, just 120 people,” you might blink. Small? Really?

How Wedding Size Is Defined—And Where 120 Fits In

Every culture and region has its own ideas about what counts as a big or small wedding, but let’s talk cold hard numbers. In Ireland, the Central Statistics Office found in 2022 that the average wedding had 98 guests. Across the UK, surveys landed in the 80–100 range, while the US average hovers higher—think 130–150. So, if your guest list is at 120, you’re slightly above the Irish average but still under what many Americans expect. Wedding planners in Dublin mostly call 120 a ‘medium’ guest count—definitely not ‘micro’ (that’s under 30), and not the epic, lavish blowouts with 200+ revellers either.

But numbers aren’t the whole story. A 120 person event in a cozy manor can feel intimate, while that same headcount in a grand hotel ballroom might seem downright sparse. The vibe comes down to space, seating style, and your personal connections.

Here’s a quick look at popular wedding size definitions based on guest count:

Clearly, a 120 person guest list lands you squarely in the middle for most Western traditions, especially in Ireland and the UK. It’s not minimal, but it isn’t massive either.

Why the “Small Wedding” Label Feels Different for Everyone

Here’s where things get spicy: what feels ‘small’ or ‘large’ is all about your background. In some Indian or Nigerian families, 120 people wouldn’t fill half a dance floor. But for a downtown Dublin couple with tight-knit circles, 120 might feel huge.

Covid-19 changed everything. Remember 2020, when getting hitched with just six people allowed felt like a privilege? Many couples discovered unexpected beauty in hosting stripped-back celebrations. The ‘micro-wedding’ trend exploded, social media influencers posting dreamy elopements with just immediate family and close friends. Suddenly, anything over 50 guests felt positively bustling.

But post-pandemic, there’s a swing back to bigger events (hello, Auntie Maureen’s extended family) as people crave reconnections. Yet, a lot of couples keep their headcount under 120, often citing reasons like:

• Wanting a personal atmosphere without offending too many people
• Budget—it’s just staggering how costs rise per head (think €80–€120 for dinner alone in Dublin, and that’s before drinks!)
• Venue capacity—so many gorgeous manor houses max out around 120–150
• Less chaos: you can actually circulate and talk to your guests

So, what’s seen as a ‘small’ or ‘medium’ wedding is subjective. If your heart says 120 feels just right, that’s your perfect number. But you’re not exactly running a low-key elopement or a ‘tiny wedding’ either.

What a 120 Person Wedding Really Looks and Feels Like

Picture a packed restaurant on a Saturday night. That’s the buzz you’ll get with 120 guests—a vibrant party, but not overwhelming. Most classic Irish venues can seat groups this size together, giving you the traditional long tables or round tables clustered under fairy lights. You’ll likely have enough people for a lively dance floor (hello, the famous Irish wedding band experience), but it won’t feel so crowded that you can’t move.

From a logistics side, a 120 person guest list gives you options. Catering for this number is still manageable without dipping into the multiple chefs, 30 staff territory. Table plans stay straightforward—think 10–12 tables if you’re going round, easier to pair up guests with familiar faces. Speeches won't drag; every table won’t need its own toast.

And best of all, you’ll probably remember everyone’s first name and at least one story about them. That’s the beauty of medium weddings—the sweet spot between genuine intimacy and a thrilling, full party atmosphere.

• Not too big, not too small—just enough to feel like a celebration
• You can actually share a story or a hug with most of your guests
• No need for crowd-control level planning

Want it to feel even more intimate? Play with table layouts (oval or U-shapes), set aside chill zones, or cluster seating by friend circles. These tricks turn even bigger parties into cozy, laughter-filled gatherings.

Smart Planning Tips for Navigating a 120 Guest List

Getting from a rough headcount to a seamless guest experience means embracing a few organizing secrets. Here’s what works when planning a 120 person wedding—less chaos, more fun:

• Start with your VIPs. List your immediate family and closest friends first, then build outwards. Deciding on the ‘must-haves’ stops the list ballooning unexpectedly.
• Break your list into circles. Work through family, school friends, colleagues, childhood pals, new friends—seeing those groups side by side helps you spot accidental imbalances or missing faces.
• Book your venue early. Many Irish country houses max out between 120–140 guests. Dublin hotels offer bigger ballrooms, but popular weekends get snapped up a year or two in advance.
• Think about flow. For 120 people, you don’t need a megaphone, but clear signposting, an easy-to-navigate table plan, and lots of places to chat make the day run smoothly.
• Personalize your seating. Mix circles, place chatty types near quieter pals, or let guests pick their tables for a laid-back vibe.
• Streamline your schedule. With 120, you’ll want a timeline that keeps things moving—consider shorter speeches, mix-and-mingle cocktail hours, and staggered meal service.
• Budget honestly. At €100 a head, your reception alone could run €12,000, but you’ll likely see some savings on flowers, decor, and extras compared to a giant event.
• Communicate your choice. Some friends or extended family may feel left out if you can’t invite everyone. A heartfelt phone chat or a follow-up celebration keeps the peace.

Here’s a smart planning tip: create a draft list in a simple spreadsheet. Count the partners, don’t double-invite families, and remember—someone always drops out. Most couples lose 5–10% of their invitees to travel plans or calendar clashes, so if you invite 130 and want 120, you’re on the right track.

And don’t forget those extra touches. With 120 people, you can still handwrite thank-you cards, give out bespoke favours, or arrange your favourite quirky entertainment—think a trad band or photo booth—without getting lost in logistics hell.

Still not sure if 120 is your ‘small’? Ask yourself: Who do you really want to dance with at 1 am?