Top 5 ideas for an Intimate wedding

With Government Coronavirus guidance changing to limit guest numbers to 15, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the developing wedding trends. You may be feeling disheartened about the reduction to your guest list, but intimate weddings are the perfect way to bring your love story to life in front of your most cherished nearest and dearest. 

If you’re still trying to decide when to say I do, take a look at some of the reasons why an intimate wedding could be the perfect match for you.

• Your budget goes further: with a smaller guest list you can afford to go big on other wedding essentials; your dress, flowers, cake and even the invites!
• A more relaxed day gives you more time to spend with your guests.
• Your wedding will be more intimate and even more personal than a larger event.

We’re here to help you bring your love story to life regardless of your guest list size.

Take a look at our top five ideas for an unforgettable intimate wedding - that’s uniquely yours.

Create an intimate feel to your venue

With a smaller number of guests joining you for your wedding day, now’s the time to throw tradition out the window and think outside the box. In the past number restricted venues would be a no-go zone, but with an intimate wedding anything goes! Why not think back over your relationship and pick a unique venue that holds importance to your love story? Perhaps your favourite art gallery, a private home or the place you had your first date - the possibilities are endless with a smaller intimate wedding day.

If you’re keen to stick with a venue that’s meant for larger weddings, don’t panic, many venues are now very accommodating for intimate weddings and will be happy to talk through any changes with you. You can still make your larger venue space feel intimate with just a few decorative changes. Why not add drapes to reduce echoing and add texture to your space with statement pieces like mason jars, feathers or even environmentally friendly balloons.

Wedition Hot Tip: Draw your guests attention to one part of the room and turn your wedding cake into a special feature. Stack gooey brownies or your favourite types of cheese for a unique alternative to traditional wedding cake.

Photo credit: Hayley B Weddings. Cake by Lisa Broughton.

Let your guests arrive in style

Kick-start your intimate wedding day with a cool form of transport, to take your guests from their homes to the venue - with less people invited this is something that’s a lot more achievable. Think vintage wedding buses, stylish cars, VW camper vans or even a vehicle that matches your wedding theme. Not only will your guests all arrive together but it will set a good atmosphere for the rest of your day.

Wedition Hot Tip: Hire a VW bus to transport your guests to your intimate wedding venue and it could even double-up as a fun photobooth to capture your precious memories with your loved ones.

Photo credit: TranStudios Photography and Video

Personalise your guest's experience

With a smaller guest list, comes a whole world of unique ideas for delighting your guests on your intimate wedding day. As you are likely to know each of your guests on an intimate level, why not write a handwritten note, memory or funny story for them to enjoy reading before the speeches take place. You could even take note of each guest’s favourite drink and have it ready for their arrival as an extra special welcoming treat.

Wedition Hot Tip: It’s likely the run up to your intimate wedding has been very stressful with lots of changes to your plans. Those attending your wedding are probably the ones who have supported you most during your journey, a lovely way to thank them is to include a special article within your Wedition.

Photo credit: Olly Knight

Use a creative approach to seating

Leave the traditional seating plan behind and consider something that works better for an intimate wedding. Of course you will still have to consider social distancing and have guests sit in ‘bubbles’ around your venue with a safe distance between them. But you could look to using a U-shaped table or place smaller sized tables to circle around you and your partner.

If the thought of walking down a nearly empty aisle upsets you, or you think spread out rows will look strange, arrange your chairs around where you and your partner will exchange your vows.

Photo credit: Chiswick House

Remember loved ones

With a smaller guest list, it’s likely there are lots of family and friends who you would have liked to invite. We can work with you to ensure they know how much you are missing not having them with you by creating a special message within your Wedition, and even arranging for them to receive a copy of your personalised keepsake on your actual wedding day. If you’re planning on hosting a big celebration party in a covid free year, you can even send an invitation or save the date that’s styled to match your Wedition and wedding colour scheme.

Of course wedding days are also time to reflect on those who are sadly no longer with you, intimate weddings can make this pain even more raw as you are less distracted by the large group of people. There are lots of lovely ways you can remember your lost loved ones and ensure they still play a special part in your wedding day.

Wedition Hot Tip: Create a quiet area for reflection within your venue and add some family history into your day. You could place photos of your grandparents’ big days in frames styled to match your wedding theme and colour scheme or include photos of lost family and friends who are no longer with you to celebrate. We can help you create an ‘in memory page’ to share photos and special memories of your loved ones within your Wedition.

Photo credit: Ideal Imaging by Alistair Jones

A message from Wedition creator - Liz

Weddings are often the top social event of my calendar, with ‘save the dates’ taking pride of place in my home and lots of time, love and attention going into creating personalised keepsake booklets for our Wedition couples. We want to extend our love and thoughts to all couples who are engaged, who have had to postpone and who are not sure what the future holds right now. I have my fingers crossed for you all. Your day will come, whether you choose to marry on a smaller scale now with an intimate wedding or wait for a Covid free year. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the love and luck in the world for a unique day. Liz xx

If you would like to share your authentic love story with your wedding guests as well as all of those who are unable to come to your 15 guest wedding, please do get in touch with liz@wedition.co.uk and we can create a stunning booklet to mail to all of those important to you.

Photo credit: Ideal Imaging by Alistair Jones

Wedition's top 5 tips for intimate weddings - video guide

Sources

• Organising and planning small weddings - Hitched
• Social distancing weddings - Hitched