Make Your Small Wedding Special With These Unique Ideas

Planning a small wedding? You're not alone. More and more couples are opting for intimate celebrations, and for good reason. Small weddings allow for more personalisation, are typically more eco-friendly, and can reduce planning stress.

But how do you make your small wedding special?

First, it's your wedding day, so it will inherently be special. However, there are ways to elevate the experience for you and your guests. From creating a meaningful and inclusive ceremony to adding personal touches, here are some ideas to make your small wedding memorable:

- Pack your ceremony with meaning. Choose meaningful music and readings, personalise your vows, and involve your guests in rituals.

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

- Indulge in pre-wedding prep. Get your hair and makeup done, go for a relaxing massage, or start your day with a hot towel shave.

- Stay somewhere fabulous. Even if your wedding is close to home, book a stylish boutique hotel or a room with a view for your wedding night.

- Invest in a great photographer and videographer. You'll want keepsakes of the day to show your extended family and friends.

- Embrace traditions (if you want to). If you're worried about your small wedding not feeling weddingy enough, include some traditional elements like the big white dress, veil, tux, and bouquet.

- Shake up the timeline. With a small wedding, it's easier to make the day bespoke. Play around with the schedule, such as having the ceremony later in the day to allow for a first-look photo session.

- Lean into the intimacy. A small wedding will have a different vibe from a big blowout party, and that's okay! Embrace the closer connections and conversations that come with a smaller crowd.

These are just a few ideas to make your small wedding special. Remember, it's your day, so feel free to break the rules and do what feels right for you and your partner.

Creative catering: Food trucks, tasting menus, and interactive culinary experiences

Food trucks, tasting menus, and interactive culinary experiences are a great way to make your small wedding stand out and give it a unique, memorable twist.

Food trucks are a fun, modern alternative to traditional wedding catering. They offer a wide variety of cuisines, from burgers and grilled cheese to pizza and BBQ, and can be hired to serve anything from cocktails and canapes to the main meal or late-night snacks. Food trucks are also a great way to offer guests a more interactive experience and often provide an "Insta-worthy photo opp".

When hiring a food truck, it's important to consider the number of guests you'll be serving, as some trucks may only be able to cater to a certain number of people. You'll also need to ensure that your venue can accommodate a food truck and that you have the necessary parking, power, and dinnerware arrangements in place.

If you're looking for something more intimate and interactive, consider hiring a chef to put on a live cooking demonstration or teach a culinary class during your wedding. This could be a fun way to break the ice and get your guests involved, especially if you choose a cuisine that ties into your theme or has personal significance.

For a more traditional tasting menu, you could opt for a seated dinner with a customized, curated menu that reflects your personal tastes and cultural background. This could be a great way to add a touch of elegance to your small wedding while still offering a unique dining experience.

Whether you opt for a food truck, tasting menu, or interactive culinary experience, don't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box. Your small wedding is an opportunity to make your day truly reflective of you and your partner's personalities and interests.

Unique venues: Remote locations, restaurants, and intimate outdoor spaces

Remote Locations

If you're looking for a remote location for your small wedding, consider a place that's off the beaten path and offers stunning natural scenery. Here are some ideas:

• A historic ranch or farm: Look for locations with rolling hills, lush landscapes, or picturesque barns that provide a rustic and charming atmosphere.
• Mountain resorts: Exchange your vows amidst the majestic backdrop of mountains and valleys. For example, Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado offers log cabins and an open-air chapel for an intimate ceremony in the snow.
• Vineyards and wineries: Surround yourself with rolling vineyards and rustic elegance at venues like Greenhill Vineyards in Virginia or Fleetwood Farm Winery in Leesburg, Virginia.
• Golf clubs: Combine natural beauty and elegant event spaces at golf clubs such as Westfields Golf Club in Virginia.

Restaurants

For a unique and intimate wedding, consider hosting your celebration at a restaurant. This option often works well for smaller guest lists and allows you to focus on creating a memorable dining experience. Here are some ideas:

• Private restaurant rooms: Many restaurants offer private dining rooms that can be reserved for your wedding. This option provides an intimate setting while still enjoying the ambiance and cuisine of your favourite restaurant.
• Airbnb or large guest houses: Renting an Airbnb or a large guest house in a remote location can be a great way to combine your wedding and honeymoon. You and your guests can stay together, keeping the party going for longer.
• Food trucks: Instead of a traditional caterer, hire a food truck to add a modern twist to your small wedding. Work with the food truck owner to create a customised menu that will delight your guests.
• Country houses: Country houses, such as Brentsville Hall in Northern Virginia, offer an all-inclusive wedding experience. They often feature spacious grounds and elegant interiors, providing a charming backdrop for your special day.

Intimate Outdoor Spaces

If you dream of an outdoor wedding, there are plenty of intimate spaces that can make your day special:

• Gardens and parks: Exchange your vows amidst the beauty of nature in a public park or a botanical garden. Atlanta's oldest public park, for example, offers manicured gardens and unique architecture.
• Beach weddings: Say "I do" with the sand between your toes and the sound of the waves in the background. Beach weddings can be intimate and romantic, especially at sunset.
• Vineyards: Winters, California, is home to a 33-acre vineyard estate that combines the best aspects of a farm wedding with natural beauty and rustic charm.
• Lakeside resorts: For a playful and fun-filled celebration, consider a lake resort like the one in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Your guests can enjoy a weekend of canoeing, cabin stays, and roasting marshmallows under the stars.

Personal touches: Handwritten notes, meaningful music, and curated details

A small wedding is a great way to create an intimate celebration with those closest to you. Here are some ideas for adding personal touches to your special day through handwritten notes, meaningful music, and curated details:

Handwritten Notes

Handwritten notes are an incredibly personal touch to add to your wedding. You could write your vows by hand and display them as a backdrop as you recite them. Another idea is to have a unique guest book, such as messages in a bottle or notes slipped into a frame, which will be a wonderful keepsake to look back on.

Meaningful Music

Music is a powerful way to evoke emotion and create a special atmosphere. You could create a playlist of songs that hold a particular significance for you and your partner, or hire a guitarist or jazz band to play in the background during a twilight wedding. If you want to go the extra mile, create a custom mix CD of your favourite love songs to give out as wedding favours.

Curated Details

The little details can make a big impact and truly showcase your personalities. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Signature cocktails: Create a unique cocktail that reflects your relationship. Put a twist on a classic or invent something new with your favourite ingredients.
• Dessert: Opt for a personalised cake topper or edible decorations that reflect your theme. If cake isn't your style, think outside the box with an alternative dessert.
• Wedding favours: Gift your guests with something that represents you and your partner, like baby succulents if you're plant lovers, or mini bottles of a local drink from your hometown.
• Seating arrangement: Get creative with the seating plan by arranging guests in a semi-circle or round formation, providing a better view of the happy couple.
• Entertainment: Instead of a DJ or band, create your own playlist filled with songs that are meaningful to you and your partner.

Fun activities: Board games, photo booths, and live entertainment

While a small wedding allows for a more intimate celebration, you can still go big with the fun, music, and entertainment. Here are some ideas to make your small wedding a memorable one:

Board Games and Outdoor Activities

• Garden Games: Hire a company like Girl Friday Games to provide classic garden games, perfect for outdoor entertainment.
• Giant Jenga: Set up a game of giant Jenga in the garden for guests to enjoy.
• Mini-Golf: For a summer wedding, a mini-golf course is a fun activity for guests of all ages.
• Axe Throwing: TimberJacks offers a mobile axe-throwing experience, bringing their trailer with trained staff to guide your guests through this unique activity.
• Outdoor Swing: The Wedding Swing Company provides a rustic, chic swing, perfect for photos and entertainment.

Photo Booths

Photo booths are a fun addition to any wedding and provide guests with memorable mementos.

• Sabre Shots: This company offers an enhanced photo booth experience, allowing guests to create photos and boomerangs that can be instantly printed, air-dropped, or emailed.
• Live Picture Studios: Operating in New York, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and Long Island, they provide traditional photo booths for weddings.
• Memorable Moments Rental: Servicing New Jersey, Philadelphia, and surrounding areas, they offer photo booths for rent, creating lasting memories for your guests.

Live Entertainment

• Circus Performers: Oddle Entertainment Agency provides fire performers, acrobats, jugglers, and more to surprise your guests.
• Tribute Bands: Surprise your guests with a tribute band performing as their favourite artists, such as ABBA or The Spice Girls.
• Singing Waiters: Singing Surprise provides West End performers who serve as waitstaff before bursting into song during the wedding breakfast.
• Live Band: The Blue Lion Band is a customizable three-to-15-piece band that plays a range of music genres to suit your taste.
• Harpist: For a fairy-tale-themed wedding, consider hiring a harpist like Dorothy Harpist, who offers classical and modern music styles.
• String Quartet: Liquid Strings can add a touch of sophistication to your wedding reception or ceremony with their elegant string quartet.

Remember, with a small wedding, you have the advantage of a more intimate setting, so get creative and choose entertainment that reflects your style and brings joy to your special day.

Special treats: Spa services, personalised gifts, and welcome baskets

Spa Services

A trip to the spa is a perfect way to relax and unwind before the wedding. Many spas offer packages specifically for brides, so be sure to do your research and find the perfect spa for you. Start your treatments 4-6 months before the wedding to ensure you are looking and feeling your best. Facials, massages, and hair treatments are all popular choices for brides-to-be. Don't forget to take your fiancé with you for a couples' massage or a unique Hammam experience.

Personalised Gifts

Personalised gifts add a special touch to your wedding and can be given to the happy couple, the wedding party, or guests. Popular choices include engraved wooden cutting or charcuterie boards, custom glassware, and personalised artwork such as vintage street signs or custom name and date prints. For something more unique, consider personalised pillows, keyrings, or even a custom star map.

Welcome Baskets

Welcome baskets are a great way to thank your guests for attending, especially those who have travelled. A mix of practical and personal items is ideal. Include local treats and snacks, drinks, and luxe bath products. You might also add in some pampering toiletries, such as artisanal soap, mini hand lotions, or bath salts. For a destination wedding, include some on-theme souvenirs, like wine stoppers or playing cards. A handwritten thank-you note and a guide to local attractions are also thoughtful additions.

Frequently asked questions