Creating Intimate, Magical Moments For Small Weddings

Planning a small wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to making your special day feel, well, special. But there are so many perks to having a small wedding. From cutting down costs to allowing for more intimate social interactions, a small wedding can be just as memorable as a big one.

If you're looking for ways to make your small wedding feel special, here are some ideas:

- Choose a small, non-traditional venue. Opt for a place that is special to you and your partner, like the coffee shop where you first met.

- Get creative with your seating plan. Play with different shapes or form a spiral aisle with the officiant in the centre.

- Make your ceremony meaningful and inclusive. Pack it with personal and symbolic touches, such as music, readings and vows.

- Add lots of personal touches. Write a personalised note for each guest, include photos of everyone around the room, or curate a menu that reflects your favourite foods.

- Splurge on a few key elements. With a smaller guest list, you may have more room in your budget to splurge on things like flowers, food or venue.

- Have a brunch wedding. Celebrate your love over the most important meal of the day with Belgian waffles, mimosas, fresh fruit and muffins.

- Hire a few musicians or make a playlist. A few local musicians or a personalised playlist will be more appropriate for an intimate number of guests.

- Be sure to take group photos. With a smaller wedding, it will be easier for your photographer to capture group shots and wedding party photos.

- Explore coloured wedding dresses. Instead of a traditional white gown, opt for a dress in your favourite colour and pair it with a beautiful flower bouquet.

- Provide fun activities. Encourage your guests to socialise by providing activities like giant outdoor Jenga, limbo or a piñata.

- Stay somewhere fabulous. Mark the significance of your big day by staying somewhere bucket list-worthy for your wedding night, like a stylish boutique hotel.

Make the ceremony meaningful and inclusive

The ceremony is the perfect opportunity to set the tone for your wedding, especially if it's a small one. Here are some ways to make your ceremony meaningful and inclusive:

Choose meaningful music and readings

Whether your ceremony is in a church or a registry office, you can pack it with meaning by carefully selecting music and readings that resonate with you and your partner. Opt for songs and passages that hold a special place in your heart or reflect the theme of your wedding.

Personalise your vows

Writing your own vows is a powerful way to add a unique and personal touch to your ceremony. If you're nervous about speaking in front of a large crowd, a small wedding provides the perfect setting to share your heartfelt words with your closest loved ones. You can also involve your guests by asking them to read their favourite quotes or poems.

Involve your guests in rituals

In addition to readings, there are many other ways to involve your guests in the ceremony. For example, you can ask them to participate in a ring warming ritual, where they pass around your wedding rings and infuse them with their love and well-wishes. Or, if you're having a handfasting ceremony, your guests can hold the cords or ribbons used in the ritual.

Create a meaningful space

Think carefully about the atmosphere you want to create during the ceremony. This can be achieved through thoughtful decor, such as hanging fairy lights or draping fabric, as well as the use of meaningful symbols or cultural traditions. You can also enhance the space with personalised details, such as displaying photos of your guests around the room.

Make it inclusive

A small wedding provides an opportunity to involve more of your guests in the ceremony. Depending on the size of your event, you can have your guests read a line from a special reading or even form a circle around you as you exchange your vows. This creates a sense of unity and makes your guests feel like an integral part of your special day.

Add lots of personal touches

Adding lots of personal touches to your wedding is a great way to make your special day feel even more unique and memorable. Here are some ideas to achieve this:

Personalised Decor and Details

Add personal touches to your wedding decor and details, such as place cards, napkins, chairs, and guest books. Consider incorporating items with sentimental value, like family heirlooms or vintage furniture. You could also include photos of your guests around the room or write personalised notes for each of them.

Creative Seating Arrangements

With a smaller guest list, you have more freedom to get creative with your seating arrangements. Experiment with different shapes, or form a spiral aisle with the officiant in the centre. You could also opt for a single banquet table or a U-shaped table to encourage conversation and create a more intimate atmosphere.

Unique Food and Drink Options

Instead of a formal caterer, consider hiring a food truck that serves your favourite dishes, such as wood-fired pizza, street tacos, or even ice cream. Alternatively, if your guests have culinary skills, you could organise a potluck meal where each guest brings their specialty dish. This can be a great way to get everyone involved and create a more intimate atmosphere.

Interactive Cocktail Station

Spice up your drinks by setting up a "pimp your drink" station, where guests can make their own cocktail concoctions or add toppings and ingredients to their drinks. This adds a fun, interactive element to your wedding and gives guests the opportunity to experiment.

Personalised Favours and Gifts

With a smaller guest list, you have more room in your budget to splurge on personalised wedding favours and gifts. Consider items like engraved cocktail napkins, custom portraits, or even homemade treats such as pastries, preserves, or mugs with tea and coffee.

Customised Stationery and Invitations

Go the extra mile with your wedding stationery and invitations. Send handwritten invitations with beautiful lettering, or design your own stationery with graphic design elements. You could even skip the formal invitations and call each guest personally to share the news, making it even more special.

Themed Dress Code

Suggest a themed dress code for your guests to follow. This could be a specific colour scheme or a fun theme that ties into your wedding aesthetic, such as floral prints or Western attire. It will add a unique twist to your celebration and create cohesive, memorable photos.

Indulge in the pre-wedding prep

Hair and Makeup

Having a small wedding means you can take your time getting ready and truly indulge in the pre-wedding prep. You can really take the time to get your hair and makeup done, or go for a hot towel shave. You could even start your day with a massage to help you relax and feel pampered.

Get Ready Together

If you're having a small wedding, you might not feel the need to get ready separately. Consider getting ready together and having some photos taken—it's beyond romantic and a great way to start your special day.

Stay Somewhere Special

Even if your wedding is close to home, you can still treat yourself to a special stay for your wedding night. Choose a stylish boutique hotel, a room with a luxurious bathtub for two, or a place with a view in your favourite part of town. It will add to the sense of occasion and be a memorable part of your celebration.

Extend Your Getting Ready Shoot

With a smaller wedding, you'll likely have less going on in the morning, so you can take your time and extend your getting-ready photo shoot. Consider hiring two photographers to capture both you and your partner separately, or opt for a first-look photo session before the ceremony. These intimate moments will be treasured memories for years to come.

Stay somewhere fabulous

Staying somewhere fabulous for your wedding night is a great way to mark the significance of your big day. Here are some ideas to make it special:

Boutique Hotel

Stay in a stylish boutique hotel with a big bathtub built for two or a room with a view in your favourite part of town. This is a great way to treat yourself and your partner, especially if you usually opt for more practical accommodations.

Bucket List Destination

Choose a bucket list-worthy location for your wedding night. Whether it's a luxurious suite at a country inn or a unique Airbnb, this is your chance to splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Intimate and Relaxing

If you're looking for a more intimate and relaxing experience, consider staying somewhere with a spa. This could be a hotel with an onsite spa or a bed and breakfast that offers in-room massages. You can even start your wedding day with a relaxing massage or beauty treatment to ease any pre-wedding jitters.

Special Touches

Add some special touches to your accommodations to make the stay even more memorable. This could include ordering a bottle of champagne on ice, arranging for fresh flowers or your favourite treats to be in the room, or even having a private dinner for two delivered to your suite.

Proximity to Wedding Venue

Consider the proximity of your accommodations to your wedding venue, especially if you want to get ready onsite. Staying nearby can reduce travel time and stress on the day of your wedding, allowing you to fully relax and enjoy the experience.

Extended Stay

If possible, extend your stay beyond the wedding night to truly savour the experience. This could be a mini-honeymoon or a chance to spend more quality time with your closest friends and family. Many venues offer discounted rates for extended stays, so be sure to inquire about this option.

Lean into the intimacy

Create an Intimate Seating Arrangement

Opt for a banquet table or a U-shaped table to encourage conversation and connection among your guests. A long reception table or a creative seating plan can make your event feel more intimate and welcoming.

Splurge on Key Elements

With a smaller guest list, you may have more room in your budget to splurge on certain aspects of your wedding. Whether it's the flowers, food, venue, or decor, decide what is most important to you and your partner, and allocate your funds accordingly.

Personalize Your Wedding

Small weddings allow for more opportunities to add personal touches. From handwritten notes for each guest to personalized cocktails or creative seating plans, there are endless ways to infuse your personality into your special day.

Focus on Interpersonal Connections

Small weddings are ideal for creating meaningful moments and fostering deeper connections. Instead of rushing from group to group, you'll have the time to fully connect with your closest friends and family, making your celebration feel warm and intimate.

Be Creative with Your Venue and Vendors

When it comes to venues and vendors, think outside the box. Consider unique locations that hold special significance for you and your partner. Look into non-traditional venues, such as inns, bed and breakfasts, upscale restaurants, or even Airbnb listings. Be mindful of the number of guests when selecting a venue, as some caterers and florists may have minimum headcount requirements.

By embracing the intimacy of your small wedding, you can create a warm and memorable celebration that reflects your personality and values.

Frequently asked questions