I know my husband voted otherwise, but I have to vote for the second option, because I'd never be able to make anything in Los Angeles on a weeknight. I'm always for "the more the merrier", and that's why my wedding included many, many people. I can see the appeal for small but it's not me.
You should have the party you want, so what do you want? Perfect locale with a few or lesser locale with more? I seriously would not be offended if you chose the former, and neither should anyone else.
