Top 8 things to consider for a wedding in Hoi An with 20 guests
A wedding in Hoi An with 20 guests can feel more personal than a traditional banquet, but a smaller guest list comes with its own considerations. From managing plus-ones and unexpected costs to keeping guests comfortable throughout the celebration, each detail matters. Let’s look at 8 important things to consider before choosing your beach wedding package and making the most of an intimate celebration.
What should you do when a guest brings an uninvited plus-one?
Plan for unexpected plus-ones before they become a problem. With only 20 seats, even one extra guest can disrupt the seating arrangement and increase the final bill, especially when the wedding package is priced for exactly 20 people.
Start with the invitation. Write each guest’s name clearly and add a polite note such as, “Because our celebration is small and private, we kindly ask guests not to bring additional companions. Thank you for understanding.” If the couple prefers not to receive gifts or cash, make that clear in the invitation too. A simple line like “Your presence is the greatest gift” helps avoid awkwardness on the day.
A backup plan matters just as much. Confirm the cost of adding an extra guest with the wedding coordinator before invitations go out, including any additional meal or service charges. Keeping two matching spare chairs nearby can also help the team accommodate an unexpected guest discreetly, without disrupting the celebration.
How much does a wedding in Hoi An with 20 Guests really cost?
A wedding in Hoi An with 20 guests can cost around VND 115 million to VND 230 million, depending on the venue, catering, photography, accommodation and level of customization. At Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness, the two intimate wedding packages are priced at 127,951,000 VND and 139,539,000 VND, including service charge and VAT. That works out to approximately 6.4 million VND to 7 million VND per guest for the package itself.
| Usually included in the wedding package | Potential extra costs |
| Ceremony and reception décor, fairy lights and 20 lanterns | Photography and videography |
| Event sound system | Hair, makeup and trial session |
| Set menu and canapes | Guest rooms and airport transfers |
| Two hours of drinks and a 20-glass champagne tower | Additional drinks hours |
| Electric fireworks | Live music, MC or photo booth |
| Rain-backup ballroom and a dedicated coordinator | Extra decor or flowers beyond the package |
The main budgeting challenge is that a package price does not necessarily cover every part of the wedding trip. For example, couples may focus on the ceremony and dinner, then realize they still need to arrange photography, makeup, airport transfers and accommodation for family members. Even a small addition, such as extending the drinks service or upgrading the flowers, can increase the final bill.
It also helps to confirm exactly what “included” means before paying a deposit. Ask whether the package covers all 20 guests, whether the menu can accommodate dietary requirements, and what happens if the guest count changes. These details are easier to settle in advance than on the wedding day.
A practical approach is to keep an additional 10-20% of the estimated total budget as a contingency. For a VND 130 million wedding, that means setting aside around VND 13 million to VND 26 million for unexpected costs, such as extra drinks, last-minute changes or additional transport.
Read more: How much does a wedding cost in Vietnam? Prices & budgeting tips
What should you check in a 20-guest wedding package before signing?
Bliss Hoi An offers two intimate wedding packages at this size, with differences mainly in style, menu and drinks.
| Package details | Sunset Vows – Intimate Beach Wedding | Bliss Intimate Beach Wedding |
| Price for 20 guests | 139,539,000 VND | 127,951,000 VND |
| Wedding style | European-inspired | Asian/Indochine-inspired |
| Set menu | Western set menu | Vietnamese set menu |
| Drinks for 2 hours | Deluxe drinks package, including house wine | Soft drinks, juice, water and local beer |
| Champagne tower | Included for 20 guests | Included for 20 guests |
| Fireworks | Included | Included |
| Rain backup | Included | Included |
| Wedding coordinator | Included | Included |
Because both include the ceremony, dinner, fireworks, rain backup and coordinator, the real decision is not which package is more complete. It is which dining style and drinks format suits the guest list. A group that loves wine and cocktails may prefer Sunset Vows, while a family-led celebration with Vietnamese flavours fits the Indochine option.
Before signing any wedding contract, put these questions to the coordinator in writing:
- How long does the drinks package run, and what is the rate for extra hours?
- What happens to the price if the guest count rises or falls?
- Who decides on the rain backup, and by what time on the day?
- Are there conditions that could delay or cancel the fireworks?
- Is there a venue time limit for music and setup?
- What are the payment schedule and the date-change policy?
Read more: 4 Hoi An wedding packages compared: Which one is right for you?
How do you design a menu for 20 guests?
For a wedding with 20 guests, the menu should offer enough variety for a satisfying meal without leaving excessive leftovers. At Bliss Hoi An, Sunset Vows features a Western set menu, while Bliss Intimate Beach Wedding offers Vietnamese cuisine. Consider your guests’ preferences before choosing, rather than basing the menu solely on your own tastes.
Bliss Hoi An’s menu includes dishes such as pomelo and prawn salad, charcoal-grilled cobia fish in banana leaf, and wok-fried chicken with cashew nuts. These are options to consider for a beachside reception with local flavours. However, if some guests are vegetarian or allergic to seafood, ask the resort about suitable alternatives and any additional charges. You can also enquire about food tasting to check the flavours and portion sizes before confirming your selection.
A practical tip is to collect dietary requirements when guests RSVP, rather than waiting until the wedding day. Confirm the number of guests, menu substitutions and drinks included in the package in advance. Before signing the contract, check any extra charges for changing dishes and the deadline for finalising the menu. This helps avoid last-minute costs while ensuring everyone has something suitable to eat.
How do you handle leftover food at a 20-Guest Wedding?
Fine-dining portions also mean that leftovers are rare but precious. Ask the wedding coordinator about ribbon-tied takeaway boxes so guests can bring desserts or sweets home rather than leave them behind.
Before the wedding, confirm the venue’s policy on packing leftovers and whether any additional charges apply. Not every dish is suitable for takeaway, particularly food that has been left out for too long. Planning this in advance helps reduce waste without compromising food safety.
Why should the couple sit down and eat with their guests?
A large wedding means hours of table-to-table greetings. With 20 guests, the couple can sit in the middle of one long table and actually eat, which is one of the biggest advantages of a small wedding. A dinner-party-style setup works particularly well for an intimate celebration because everyone can share the same space, talk comfortably and feel included in the occasion.
The extra time also pays off in photographs. Because Binh Minh Beach faces east, the late-afternoon sun sits behind a photographer shooting toward the sea, which lights faces and water instead of turning the couple into silhouettes. Schedule couple portraits before guests arrive or during canapés, then allow about one minute per guest, around 20 minutes in total, for individual photos.
Choose a photographer who has shot outdoor beach weddings, since wind, glare and sand all change how a shoot runs. Share a short shot list in advance so the quiet time is spent on portraits rather than on deciding what to shoot.
How do you use scent and music in a small space?
In a group of 20, small sensory details are noticed far more than at a large reception. On an open beach, though, they behave differently from a ballroom, so the usual advice needs adjusting.
Candles and diffusers lose to a sea breeze, so scent works best at touchpoints: scented towels at arrival or a sprig of fresh herbs on each plate. Inside the rain-backup ballroom, a single signature scent such as warm wood or light orange blossom holds well and can set the mood the moment guests walk in.
For music, the packages include an event sound system, but live music is not automatically included. An acoustic duo, for example guitar with violin, can watch the room and move from soft background during dinner to livelier songs after the fireworks. Ask the coordinator for a quote and confirm where the musicians can set up on the sand.
How do you keep 20 guests connected and the party going?
A multi-course dinner of five to seven courses typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours, and without a plan guests start checking the time as soon as plates are cleared. A small party can end abruptly and quietly.
Seat older relatives and younger friends together, add place cards, and slip a question card under each chair so neighbours have an easy way to start talking. Make every speech voluntary, and offer a small letterbox for guests who prefer to write a message rather than speak. Spreading the program across the evening matters more than adding activities.
At Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness, the intimate wedding packages include a champagne tower for 20 guests and electric fireworks, while the event sound system allows couples to arrange music for the reception. Live musicians are an additional option to discuss with the wedding coordinator.
Beyond the wedding itself, guests staying at the resort can spend time together at the 55-metre oceanfront infinity pool, relax at Ngoc Linh Spa or enjoy Binh Minh Beach. The resort also offers a gym, yoga and Tai Chi activities, a sauna and steam room, and free bicycles, giving guests options for the rest of their stay.
A sample itinerary is as follows:
| Sample time | Moment |
| 16:00 | Guests gather at the wedding venue at Bliss Hoi An |
| 16:30 | Guest arrival and welcome drinks |
| 17:00 | Beach wedding ceremony at Binh Minh Beach |
| 17:30 | Couple and group photos, canapés and champagne tower |
| 18:30 | Seated dinner with the selected wedding package menu |
| 20:00 | Optional speeches and messages from guests |
| 20:30 | Electric fireworks, as included in the wedding package |
| 20:45 | Dessert, conversation and live acoustic music if arranged separately |
| The following morning | Overnight guests can relax by the 55-metre oceanfront infinity pool, enjoy the beach or make use of the resort’s leisure facilities |
Sunset moves by roughly an hour across the year in Hoi An, so build the timeline backward from golden hour with the coordinator rather than copying these times.
What should the couple and guests wear on a beach?
Skip the large ball gown. It takes up space between chairs, collects sand and makes moving around a close table difficult. A slip dress, a simple satin gown or a stylish short dress suits an intimate dinner far better, and a long veil rarely survives a sea breeze.
Heels sink in sand, so flat sandals or bare feet are the practical choice, with breathable fabrics such as linen for the groom in Hoi An’s humidity. Set a clear colour palette for the 20 guests: soft whites, sage and blush suit the European package, while warm earth tones, deep green and gold suit the Asian/Indochine one. With a group this small, matching tones make candid photos look planned.
Small weddings also give couples more flexibility when deciding who should have a formal role in the ceremony. If you are unsure whether to include bridesmaids and groomsmen or keep the celebration simple, our guide to the bridal party explains the options for Vietnamese and destination weddings.
To plan a wedding in Hoi An with 20 guests, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness offers both packages on Binh Minh Beach, and the wedding team can be reached at [email protected] or +84 918 735 885. Guests can also stay at the resort, so book your stay alongside the wedding to keep the whole group in one place.
FAQs
How much does a wedding in Hoi An with 20 guests cost?
At Bliss Hoi An, packages cost VND 127,951,000 or VND 139,539,000, including a 5% service charge and 8% VAT. Photography, hair and makeup, accommodation and transfers are usually extra.
What is included in Bliss Hoi An’s wedding packages?
Both packages include ceremony and reception décor, lighting, a sound system, a set menu, canapés, two hours of drinks, a champagne tower for 20, electric fireworks, a backup ballroom and a dedicated coordinator.
How can couples handle unexpected plus-one guests at a small wedding?
Name guests on invitations, clarify the guest limit, confirm extra-person charges and keep spare chairs available if possible.
How can couples keep a 20-person wedding intimate without making guests feel awkward?
Use one long table, plan seating thoughtfully, make speeches optional and schedule dessert or fireworks after dinner.
What happens if it rains during a beach wedding in Hoi An?
Bliss Hoi An’s packages include a backup ballroom. September to November is generally wetter, so agree on an indoor-plan decision time with the coordinator.
How far in advance should couples book a wedding venue in Hoi An?
Check availability once your dates are set, especially for dry-season weekends. The venue can advise on current availability and booking lead times.
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