Intimate weddings are here to stay – for at least a little while longer anyway. But scaling back on your celebrations doesn’t mean losing any of the magic.
Whether you had hopes for a big white wedding but plans have changed or if you simply fancy keeping things a little more low key, here are our top tips for planning an intimate wedding.
Be flexible with the date and time of day
One of the hardest things about setting a date is choosing something which will suit all your guests. The longer your guest list, the more likely it is that some people will be unable to come. If your guest list is smaller, you may even be able to book your wedding on a weekday and still have everyone attend. Plus, as weekday weddings are typically cheaper, you can put your budget to better use elsewhere.
But it’s not only the date that you can be more flexible with when it comes to smaller weddings. With fewer people to organise and cater for, you could mix things up and sit down to a wedding brunch. Or, opt for a twilight ceremony and indulge in dinner and dancing in the evening – the choice is yours.
Swap a single day for a series of experiences
If you’re scaling down your guest list to just a select few, then why limit the celebrations to just one day? If your wedding party is less than 15, you can indulge in dinner the evening before the big day or even plan a series of activities for you and your guests to enjoy. Intimate weddings are much more personal by nature, so it makes sense to go a step further and embrace spending as much time with your guests as possible.
Go big if your budget allows
With less people to budget for, you may choose to splurge on elements of your wedding so you can really spoil your guests (and yourself – it is your day after all!) If you’re a lover of fine wines, swap prosecco for Champagne and push the boat on your drinks selection. If you’re foodies, pull out all the stops with a five-course feast. Or, you can always upgrade your wedding favours to something extra special.
A smaller guest list also means you can hone in on those finer details; handwritten place cards, beautiful bespoke stationery, and stunning flower arrangements. If your budget allows, then why not spend a little more to make it all the more spectacular?
Choose a venue that complements your guest list
Choosing the right venue is so important when it comes to numbers, not only for ensuring the comfort of your guests but for creating the right atmosphere. There are plenty of venues out there for weddings of 30 people and under. In fact, a lot of them are just as beautiful as the magnificent ballrooms and marquees that seat up to 200.
However, the venue is more than a place to celebrate on the big day. It’s likely that if your guest list is smaller, you’ll have more of your wedding party spending the night which means spa treatments the day before and a big celebratory breakfast the following morning.
To find out more about weddings at Captain’s Club, please get in touch. Our team would love to hear about the big ideas you have for your dream day!
