Micro-weddings have always been on the scene but with the current pandemic over the last year or so, smaller celebrations are in the spotlight. However, while the headcount may be reduced, there are still plenty of ways to have the wedding day you’ve always dreamed of. A smaller guest list doesn’t mean your celebration has to be any less glamorous, luxurious, or unforgettably stylish! Having had the pleasure of hosting multiple micro-weddings in the last year, I have compiled a few helpful tips to help you plan the ultimate luxury micro-wedding that is both memorable and magical.
1. Find the right venue for you
A small intimate wedding allows you so much more choice when choosing the right venue for your day. A reduced guest list means you can opt for a wedding venue that you may not have been able to consider before, or you can make use of one of their more unusual spaces. Research online and choose a size-appropriate space. There are some gorgeous venues with intimate ceremony or dining areas to choose from. Think outside the box as they may not be traditional wedding venues – some private homes, garden settings or restaurants may be offering availability for smaller gatherings and will be the perfect setting for your celebration. I love the idea of renting out a small bed and breakfast or hotel for the intimate group so everyone can stay together all weekend long.
2. Think carefully about your guest list
This could be a difficult decision to make, depending on how large your family is, or how many friends you’d really love to have there. Think carefully about who is most important to you and who you simply couldn’t imagine getting married without. Remember to keep within the government restrictions. A true micro-wedding is anything smaller than twenty people; but having a maximum of thirty guests for your celebration allows each guest to feel truly included, involved, and emotionally connected in your day.
3. Know your budget
With a smaller celebration, it’s likely you will be able to reduce your budget from what you might have had available for a much larger wedding. Your money will go a lot further, too. Think about which elements are the most important to you and invest in those additional details, or the luxury items you would really love to include. As your quantities are lower, those extra special touches may now be achievable. The smaller number of guests attending allows for the opportunity to prioritize elements that may have once been overlooked.
4. Uplevel your menu offering
With fewer guests, you can really afford to indulge your loved ones in a carefully considered menu to excite their senses. Create an exquisite dining experience for your guests so that it is a celebration to remember! Serve your favourite fine wines and luxury champagne that you may not have ordinarily been able to offer if you had a larger head count, or opt for personalized cocktails for each guest. Your choices for a dinner menu are also much wider too as you’re not catering for a large number of guests.
5. Go wild with your floral and table design
Designing a wedding day filled with thoughtful details, stunning florals and a romantic ambiance are an effortless way to add a luxurious element to your micro-wedding. Consider where styling and flowers would be the most impactful. For your ceremony, you may opt to focus on the aisle and the bridal bouquet, and for your reception you may just want one incredible arrangement for the table centre. As you don’t need a huge quantity to make an impact in a smaller space, you can really be creative with your designs. I love nothing more than statement pieces that really leave a lasting impression. Think differently about how you could make the best use of your smaller intimate space. Could this be something such as a lush hanging installation over your dining table, or a dramatic backdrop to your ceremony?
With smaller guest counts you are also able to do so much more with your dining tables. Go all out with gorgeous china, linens, glassware, and all the details that will make each setting feel extra special. If you have a very small group, consider purchasing these tabletop goods rather than renting them. That way, every time you use them in the future you can think back on your special day.
6. Go bespoke with your stationery designs
Think about ways you could invite your guests to your intimate wedding celebration. Perhaps this is creating more elaborate invite designs, or bespoke options for each guest? A custom invitation is a heirloom piece that you can treasure for years to come. Beautiful paper goods set the tone for an unforgettable event – make every guest feel special and consider the smaller details which will be much easier to coordinate with a smaller guest list. You could write a personal note for each of your loved ones and let them know just how much it means to you both for them to be there with you on the day.
Things to remember
Having an intimate celebration can really be something quite special, and it is wonderful to be able to celebrate with those closest to you. Prioritize keeping yourselves and your guests safe throughout the day and keep within the government guidelines. Make sure everyone attending feels comfortable with the plans. It’s also important not to forget why you are there. Yes, the details will be gorgeous, and you will have so much fun celebrating. But at the end of the day, you are marrying the love of your life and that is the true purpose and meaning behind every part of this celebration. Remember to have fun and enjoy your day; savour every moment and make the most of it!
Are you thinking of planning a small, intimate wedding?
Would you love to plan a smaller wedding celebration, but feel completely overwhelmed with the prospect of going through the planning on your own? Not sure how to keep within the government guidelines for smaller gatherings?
Some of my favourite weddings I have planned over the years have been small intimate weddings, with a select number of guests. I invite you to browse through some of my recent weddings for some of the prettiest intimate wedding inspiration. If you’re hosting your wedding within your private home, on an estate, or at a smaller wedding venue, you can discover my La Petite Fete offering on my services page, or get in touch to chat about your initial inspirations, ideas and plans. I would love to help turn your dreams into a reality!