Intimate Wedding Planning, Planning Advice from OurWeddingDay.com

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Intimate Wedding Planning

Big Ideas for Small Ceremonies

For different reasons, many couples opt to have an intimate ceremony instead of a lavish affair. If you’ve decided to forego the big, formal wedding in favor of a small gathering, a few details change. Read on for tiny tips.

Your guest list is the first thing that gets slashed. If you’re aiming for 50 people, start with half that number. When making your list, write down immediately family, and then move on to essential friends. Guest lists double in size quickly because, as soon as you invite Uncle Lou, you’ll realize that Uncle Mick will be hurt if he’s not included.

For the actual affair, you can omit bridesmaids, but it’s wise to keep a maid of honor and a best man. You’ll be amazed at how much time and stress is involved in planning, and having a helper is a life-saver. Also, you’ll want to share the day with a loved one. Caterers, photographers, and florists are used to working for small parties, and you should still seek them out as early as possible.

If your ceremony is at a restaurant, or somewhere intimate like your home or a backyard, a band or DJ is often not the best idea, or even a realistic one. You might consider hiring a vocalist or a string trio; you can search online for both. If you want to marry in a house of worship, talk to your clergyperson about finding a smaller site. It’s possible that your clergyperson won’t be able to marry you in the location you choose, but he can direct you to the right person.

Big parties are probably not going to be on your to-do list, but it’s a good idea to have a rehearsal dinner. It’s a great chance for everyone to meet up before your big day, especially anyone who’s not met the rest of the crowd. Feel free to have a shower, but do not invite anyone who’s not invited to the ceremony. Even though your intentions are good, it might come across as if you want the presents, but don’t want to pay the expense to have them attend your wedding.

For smaller affairs, you don’t need to send out the invites far in advance, as most guests will know about your ceremony. Make sure, however, that all invitations are hand-written. To save hurt feelings, get the word out that the two of you are only inviting immediately family and friends. One way to include everyone who you can’t invite is to throw a large party after the fact. It doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it’s a wonderful way for everyone to celebrate the life you’ve just begun.