Planning an intimate wedding
Intimate weddings, or micro weddings, are becoming more and more popular. Couples are seeking less traditional weddings, focused on personalisation and intimacy. At the same time, they are generally more cost-effective, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be impactful. Here I have outlined some things to remember and consider when planning an intimate wedding.
Intimate weddings can be just as impactful as larger ones
Just because you’ve opted to celebrate with fewer guests than is ‘tradition’, doesn’t mean your day can’t have the wow factor. Investing in statement florals, personal design details, incredible catering and show-stopping entertainment is all still possible. In fact, all of this is even more possible with an intimate wedding. With fewer mouths to feed and tables to dress, your budget can be put towards investing in incredible suppliers that will deliver a one-of-a-kind event.
Consider your dining and get creative
Depending on your venue choice, dressing a reception room for your wedding breakfast can seem like an overwhelming task if it’s used to seating more than your chosen guest number. But this is when you can get really creative. In a recent wedding, my couple’s reception space was large and empty for their 30 guests and they were really struggling to know how they would fill it. So, we opted for round serpentine tables. This filled the space, enabled all the guests to mingle, and allowed for show-stopping florals to adorn the table from the insanely talented Wild Sweet Pea. Other options could include one long row of trestle tables, tables arranged in a large square or circle with impactful florals in the centre, or lots of smaller dining areas creating intimate moments.
Photo: Samantha Alice Photography
It’s more cost-effective
When my clients ask me at the beginning of the planning process the areas they will be able to save money, my immediate response is always ‘reducing the guest count’. With fewer guests, there are fewer meals and drinks needed, less staff needed to serve them, fewer flowers needed for the tables, less tableware and décor. As stated above, that doesn’t mean your wedding can’t still be luxurious and impactful; rather, by saving money on the number of bodies you have to cater for, you’ll have more money to put towards statement installations, upgrading the furniture, hiring the best band and photographer.
However, it’s still the same amount of work…
A common trap I think couples fall into is thinking that by having an intimate wedding, their planning process will be much more straight-forward. But the reality is you’re still planning a wedding and still need most of the same suppliers a larger wedding needs: venue/marquee, catering, bar, photographer, videographer, florist, tableware & décor, stationery, entertainment etc. etc. So if your motivation for an intimate wedding is to reduce workload, this might not be the option for you. But if your motivation is to celebrate surrounded by just your nearest and dearest, then go for it!
I love an intimate wedding and ensuring the day is still show-stopping, even with a small guest count. I love the personal design details and the fact that everyone invited is so incredibly special to the couple. If you’re wanting an intimate wedding with the wow-factor, then I’d love to hear from you!
