There are many different types of weddings to choose from. From extravagant affairs with hundreds of guests in attendance, to more intimate gatherings with only a handful of loved ones present. So why should you have an intimate wedding? Well, for starters, there is no need to worry about the cost when it comes to this type of event. Intimate weddings usually mean fewer guests and less time spent planning the event so all that money can go towards your honeymoon or just spending time together before marriage!
Weddings are typically seen as a special affair that is reserved for the more traditional crowd. But, in recent years, many couples have been opting to reserve intimate weddings for themselves and their loved ones. This article by Designed Dream will explain why an intimate wedding might be right for you if you’re looking to elope or even renew your vows with a small gathering of friends and family.
First, let’s talk about what an intimate wedding is. Typically, it will be a smaller affair (often referred to as micro weddings) for just the bride and groom with their closest loved ones in attendance. The ceremony can take place anywhere that you feel like celebrating your love with those close to you – from a backyard barbecue or party at a friend’s home to a more traditional ceremony at the courthouse or the beach.
You may be wondering why you would want an intimate wedding and not one of those larger, more theatrical affairs with elaborate themes and hundreds of guests. There are many reasons that couples opt for this type of smaller affair – here are just a few: ·It can be cheaper than a larger wedding, especially if you are trying to save money or want to elope. ·It is perfect for people who aren’t into the idea of all of those strangers at their ceremony and reception; why not just have your closest friends there? ·You’ll get more time with family members that might not be able to make it to a larger event.
Unusual Small Wedding Ideas
One of the most important aspects to keep in mind while planning your intimate wedding is that you should be able to maintain a connection with every guest. This will not only make the event more memorable for them, but it also gives you an opportunity to get closer and develop stronger relationships with each person there.
Consider these ideas:
- Create an event that will allow guests to leave with a token of your love. This could be framed pictures, CDs, or cupcake recipe cards that can be kept as a reminder from the day’s wedding.
- Create smaller tables and seating arrangements rather than one giant table for everyone.
- Offer any children present at the event an opportunity to help out by playing games and giving them a chance to meet the bride and groom.
- Set up live music for guests to enjoy while they wait in line.
Use different sized tables as well as plates, glasses of wine, and iced tea goblets so that each guest can eat or drink from his/her own piece. These are just some ideas you could use when planning an intimate wedding. - Spend time with each guest and get to know them on a more personal level. This will help you make a connection with them and will allow you to get closer as well.
Intimate Wedding Ideas For Two
Intimate weddings are perfect for those who want to keep things small and simple. They’re also great for couples that don’t have a lot of money or time, but still want to get married with the pomp and circumstance they deserve!
Tell your guests not to bring gifts: This may sound counterintuitive, but it will help those on a smaller budget keep the cost of their wedding down.
Dress: Your dress should be simple and elegant, but not too expensive as it is likely to get dirty or damaged at some point during your ceremony. The best thing to do would be to find something that you can wear again! A lot of brides find that after their wedding, they never wear the dress again.
Planning: Keep in mind that you’ll have to plan your ceremony and reception yourself – so don’t leave it until the last minute! You also need to make sure there’s enough space for everyone at a smaller venue than a regular-sized hall.
Location: The location is also going to be intimate – so make sure you have a venue that can accommodate your guests in close proximity. This will help keep things intimate and less hectic!
If it’s not possible for everyone to attend the ceremony, consider having two ceremonies instead of one (one small and one larger) or having an intimate ceremony followed by a larger one.
Make sure to have your guests RSVP about what kind of food they would like if any – this will help you plan the menu and save on costs!
Invitations: Keep it simple with nice paper and envelopes that don’t need postage. Also – don’t forget to have a couple of backup invitations on hand in case any are misdirected or lost!
Keep it small: Intimate weddings can be as short (or long) as you want them to be. There’s no rule about how much time the ceremony should take, so keep your guests entertained with readings, speeches, and more!
Photography: If you’re on a budget, consider getting your guests to take the photos for you. Or ask an amateur photographer friend if they would be willing to do it as a favor.
Music: Keep this intimate with just one or two musicians rather than hiring a full band. Consider following the lead of those who precede you at the ceremony – some couples walk down to a piano while others process in with violin music.
Food: Keep it simple here as well. Don’t make elaborate dishes, but instead offer something light and easy for your guests. It’s better not to overfeed people!
Cake: It should be a simple sheet cake with frosting. There’s no need for expensive decorations or piping as you’ll want to keep this intimate and inexpensive!
Favors: Consider giving out small mementos like picture frames, key rings, paperweights, or other items that your guests can use at the office desk.
Decorations: Keep it simple! Too many decorations can make a space feel too busy and overwhelming. It’s better to keep one or two focal points in the room, like your cake table for example.
Fun Ideas For A Small Wedding
- Get married in your backyard
- Hire a DJ to play tunes and serve drinks. This is also called the “grown-up” version of a cocktail party
- Find out if any local businesses are interested in donating services for the event, such as catering or photography.
- Set up an online registry on sites like Etsy or Amazon.
- If you have pets, assign someone to watch them before the ceremony and after the party.
- Invite your friends over for a pre-party that night so everyone can meet each other and get more comfortable with being around one another on your special day.
- Ask guests to bring their favorite recipe from home to share with everyone.
- Rather than a typical wedding cake, have guests bring pies and other desserts for the dessert table.
- Include DIY crafts in your gift list to help less crafty friends make something instead of buying you more dishes or linen (although we’re sure those are very nice gifts!)
- Host an open house after the wedding for more casual time with your friends and family.
- If you’re getting married in a city, rent bikes to tour the local sites together!
- Find out if any of your favorite musicians are coming through town. If so, invite them over after the ceremony or on another day and have a private show just for you two (and your guests).
- If you’re getting married in a city, take the ferry to another part of town and go on an adventure.
Small Non-Traditional Wedding Ideas
Small non-traditional weddings are gaining popularity in recent years. These types of ceremonies take place outside the usual church/synagogue setting, and they’re often more intimate than traditional weddings. Whether you want to save money on a venue or just prefer having fewer people at your wedding, small weddings are an option worth considering.
-Rent a house or barn: If you want to save money on your wedding, take it outside. Renting out an intimate space like a small backyard can be less expensive than renting out a large venue. Plus there are so many beautiful outdoor spaces in the world that would make for an amazing backdrop!
-Host at home: This is another way to save money on your wedding, and it can also be a great way to include more friends or family members in the ceremony. You may need a permit if you have over 50 people coming, but hosting at home can still be an affordable option!
-Take out some of the traditional elements: Traditional weddings usually involve lots of traditions that can be removed to make the event more intimate. Have a smaller guest list, limit your reception food options or don’t do any favors for guests—these are just some of the ways you can save money on your small wedding!
-Do everything yourselves: You will have a lot fewer expenses if you plan and execute all of the details for your wedding. That way, you’ll save tons of money!
-Dress up: If you want to dress more formally than usual at a small wedding, wear something that is even fancier and more formal than what you would normally wear on another occasion. A black-tie affair can be just as intimate and personal as a dressy backyard soiree.
-Get married in the morning: By holding your wedding at 11 is or earlier, you will be able to have an intimate ceremony without worrying about it being interrupted by other events going on that day.
-Temporary tattoos: If you really want people to know they were invited to such a small event, you can have guests wear temporary tattoos or other visible identifiers that they were invited to.
-Ask one person to take pictures: This is another way to save money on your wedding if photography isn’t a priority for you. One of the most intimate and classic ways to capture memories from this day!
Designed Dream is a Toronto-based wedding planning company that has won many awards for its work in helping couples arrange beautiful and luxurious destination weddings. Contact us now to enjoy the delightful experience of stress-free wedding planning!
