Planning A Small, Intimate Wedding: Breaking Free From Traditions

Planning a small, intimate wedding is a great way to create a personalised experience for you and your partner. Small weddings typically consist of 16 to 50 guests, but you can invite as few as 10 people. With a smaller guest list, you can choose a unique venue that caters to a more intimate gathering, such as a local ski resort or a bed and breakfast. You can also opt for a more relaxed vibe, with a single long reception table to bring your guests together.

Guest lists: keep it small, with 10-50 guests

Keeping your guest list small is a great way to ensure your wedding is intimate and personal. Wedding planning expert Alisha Reicks-Sturgill suggests that a small wedding consists of 50 people or fewer, with an ideal guest list of 10-40 guests.

Keeping your guest list small allows you to choose a more unique venue, as most traditional wedding venues have a minimum guest count. You could consider inns, bed & breakfasts, upscale restaurants, or even Airbnbs.

A small guest list also means you can create a more personalised experience for your guests, with less food waste and fewer unnecessary trinkets. You could even consider a picnic-style reception, with a long table for your guests to create a more intimate atmosphere.

If you're looking for a more relaxed, chill vibe for your wedding, a small guest list is a great way to achieve that.

Venue: think outside the box, with inns, B&Bs, restaurants, or even Airbnbs

When it comes to the venue, it's time to get creative. Most traditional wedding venues have a minimum guest count, so you'll want to look at places that don't usually host weddings. Inns, bed and breakfasts, and upscale restaurants are all great options. You could even look at Airbnbs or VRBOs if you want a more unique setting.

Think about the vibe you want for your day. Do you want to incorporate any special activities or hobbies? One couple hosted their small wedding at a local ski resort so they could go mountain biking on their big day. Is there a place that's special to you that you could use as your venue?

You could also consider having your reception outdoors. Most outdoor locations have an average maximum guest count of about 25, so they're perfect for a small, intimate wedding. Plus, you'll get to enjoy the beauty of nature as you celebrate your love.

Remember, the key to planning a small, intimate wedding is to focus on what's important to you as a couple. By thinking outside the box with your venue, you can create a day that's truly personalised and memorable.

Food: avoid large buffets, opt for a picnic or something more intimate

Food is an important part of any wedding, but when it comes to planning a small, intimate wedding, you may want to avoid the traditional large buffet. Instead, opt for something more unique and personalised that reflects your style as a couple.

One idea is to have a picnic-style reception. This can be as simple as laying out a large blanket and cushions, or you could hire a company that specialises in luxurious picnic spreads, complete with floral arrangements, candles, and elegant place settings. Instrumental music and classic picnic food will add to the relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

If you prefer a more formal dining experience, consider a long reception table instead of the traditional round tables. This will create a more intimate setting and encourage conversation among your guests. Alternatively, you could choose a unique venue that caters to smaller gatherings, such as an inn, a bed and breakfast, an upscale restaurant, or even a special location that reflects your shared passions or interests.

When planning the food for your small wedding, remember that it's all about quality over quantity. Choose a menu that reflects your taste and personality, whether it's a favourite family recipe, a special dish from your first date, or a selection of local delicacies. By focusing on creating a personalised and intimate dining experience, you can make your small wedding truly memorable.

Activities: include shared passions or hobbies

Small, intimate weddings are typically defined as having 16-50 guests, but can be as small as 10-16 guests. They are often more relaxed and chill, and can be more personalised.

When it comes to activities, including shared passions or hobbies is a great way to make your wedding day unique and memorable. Think about what activities you and your partner enjoy doing together, and how you can incorporate them into your wedding day. For example, if you both love mountain biking, you could get married at a local ski resort and go for a bike ride on the trails during your wedding day. Or, if you both enjoy cooking, you could have a small, intimate cooking class with your guests, where you all learn to make a special dish together.

Another idea is to choose a venue that reflects your shared passions. For instance, if you both love literature, you could get married in a library or bookshop. Or, if you're both into music, you could have your ceremony in a small concert hall or music venue.

If you want to include your guests in the activities, you could organise a group outing that reflects your shared hobby. For example, if you and your partner are into wine tasting, you could take your guests to a local vineyard for a tour and tasting. Or, if you're both into board games, you could have a game night after the ceremony, with a variety of games for your guests to choose from.

Finally, don't be afraid to think outside the box and get creative. For instance, if you and your partner are into astronomy, you could have a star-themed wedding, with a telescope set up for guests to view the night sky, or even hire a planetarium for the evening.

Invites: go digital to reduce paper waste

When it comes to invites, going digital is a great way to reduce paper waste. You can send out e-vites or create a wedding website or app where guests can RSVP and find all the information they need. This option is also more cost-effective and convenient, as you can easily update details and send reminders.

If you want to get creative, you can design your own digital invitations with online tools or hire a graphic designer to create something unique. This way, you can still have a beautiful and personalised invite without the waste.

You can also use digital platforms to your advantage by creating a wedding hashtag or group chat to keep guests informed and engaged. This will make your guests feel involved and create a sense of community before the big day.

Additionally, going digital allows you to track RSVPs and manage your guest list more efficiently. You can set up automatic reminders and even include a link to your wedding registry, making it easier for guests to find the information they need.

By choosing digital invites, you're not only reducing paper waste but also streamlining the planning process and creating a more interactive experience for your guests.

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