PLANNING A SMALL INTIMATE WEDDING?

In a year like no other, so many couples have had to start planning a small wedding when the pandemic changed their celebration ambitions. With postponed covid weddings being the norm over the last year or two, many couples have had to re-think their day and start planning a small intimate wedding instead of their original ideas. It goes without saying that many engaged couples intend on planning a small wedding from the very start.

However, this year with small weddings becoming more prominent, accommodating pandemic weddings have had to take priority. If you find yourself in the circumstance where you have not initially intended on planning a micro wedding, then the prospect can be daunting.

SOME QUICK TIPS:

Think About a Weekday Wedding

Venues can be very accommodating and most have reduced rates for mid-week celebrations. This can be helpful with reducing cost, but also helping with the smaller guest list.

Maximise The Experience You Have

Just because you are planning a smaller celebration, this does not mean that certain elements are exempt from the festivities. If you are having to plan a small wedding, this does not mean that you don’t deserve the outfit that you had planned for your ‘big wedding’. Have the flower arch, book the photographer, and amend the wedding cake. Just because your celebration is small, this does not mean it is less important.

Look at Non-Traditional Wedding Venues

Smaller venues or ‘non-traditional’ places for getting hitched are usually a little more equipped for intimate wedding numbers. This can open up a huge possibility for your reception and ceremony that you may have never considered.

Rosie, Matt and Their Advice on Postponed Covid and Micro Weddings

I met Rosie and Matt during a wedding consultation, and we hit it off right away. While chatting, they shared how their wedding plans had changed drastically due to Covid-19. Originally, they had envisioned a large celebration with all their family and friends, but circumstances forced them to reimagine their day. Like many couples, Rosie and Matt had to adapt their plans, choosing a small, intimate gathering with just six of their closest loved ones.

Despite the challenges, Rosie and Matt embraced this new version of their wedding with open hearts. They’ve been kind enough to share their experience of shifting from a big affair to a cozy, personal celebration. Their advice is drawn from their own journey and may inspire other couples facing similar decisions. This blog aims to offer insight and encouragement for those considering an intimate wedding of their own.

Tell Us a Little About the Ideas You Had For Your Wedding?

Rosie + Matt: “Our wedding was always planned to be on New Years Eve. This is because every NYE before our wedding, (that’s six including the wedding now) we have always played host to a fancy dress party and people expect it from us now every year. We love being social and as we both work dealing with people; we have some incredibly fun and creative friends who all love the chance to dress up.

When Planning a Small Wedding, What Was the Most Important Element For You As a Couple?

“For us, it was always about doing what we wanted and not what was expected of us. Our original idea was super non-conventional, and we were proud of that. We love intimate evenings playing games and eating nice food, quiz nights and catch ups, but we also LOVE dressing up and having small parties, so again, why not do both?

What Was the Most Surprising Thing About Planning a Small Intimate Wedding That You Did Not Expect?

“Nothing really surprising about planning, other than they can be almost as stressful as doing a huge one. It’s more about how the day actually went and the fact that you can have 15 or 150 people or spend £1,000 or £45,000. As long as you stay true to yourselves, don’t aim to please others and have your closest loved ones around you, it doesn’t matter. The day is what you make it and whenever people ask us this sort of question, this is what we tell them. Our biggest surprise was that we could have a small wedding with only 15 people and for it to still be the perfect wedding.

Before Covid-19 we would have never suggested or recommended a planning a small intimate wedding. We could never understand how you could not want everyone there, but now we realise how special the intimacy of it all was. It really was a special day we will never forget.”

What advice would you give other couples who are embarking on planning their own small wedding?

“Don’t listen to anyone else or feel pressured into doing what others want or inviting people you don’t even like. Don’t even stress about plus 1s! If you can’t afford to feed Shirley’s husband (because every single person will cost you), then Shirley will understand. Stay grounded and plan within your means. Yes, you might have an incredible few hours but you don’t want to start married life in debt. Save and spend that cash on an amazing honeymoon—that’s what we’re going to do. If you want to express yourself in a certain way, then please, please just do it.

If you have a funny feeling from a potential venue or supplier, then don’t go with them. The last thing you want on the day is worry of being judged for simply marrying the person you love. Embrace the fact you don’t always feel accepted by society and plug that into your day. Do something strangers would balk at but be secretly envious of, because they’re too afraid to be different.”