Tips and Ideas for Planning an Intimate Wedding Day
Intimate weddings are becoming more and more popular as couples realize how much they can TRULY customize their day through having a smaller gathering. Here are some ideas to get you started on planning your dream intimate wedding!
First things first: finding your location
A huge benefit to having an intimate wedding is that you aren’t limited to anywhere! These weddings are smaller & easier to plan in terms of travel - so you can literally find yourself anywhere! Josie & Scott got married in the Outer Banks, North Carolina & EVERYTHING was at this large, lovely airbnb. The ceremony was on the beach right out front, reception was in the backyard and everybody slept/got ready inside the house. It was perfect.
I do find that having everything in one place makes a world of difference in stress levels for the couple, guests and even myself as the photographer! It was seriously so relaxed, even sneaking away during the reception to the beach multiple different times (right where their ceremony was) with Josie & Scott when lighting was ideal. We could not have snuck out that many times if they had their reception somewhere else! Having everything in one place was relaxing and fun and just made things feel 1000 times more intimate.
Where will you stay?
Airbnbs are an amazing option if you are wanting to get married somewhere that might not have an intimate wedding venue available & just want to do something more low-key! Here are a few options for you to choose from all around Virginia and even the Airbnb that Josie & Scott had for their day!
Sweet Carolina House in Outer Banks, NC - This is a beautiful, 9-bedroom house right on the beach in North Carolina. So spacious & perfect for you and your family to stay the week of your wedding!
Midcentury Minimal Home in Lynchburg, VA - This home is perfect for a backyard wedding! It has a pool and plenty of space for you & your family.
Bryce Mountain Retreat in Basye, VA - Get married in Shenandoah National Park & get ready at this beautiful mountainside home! The views are insane & it’s the perfect size for an intimate wedding!
Pick your vendors
Choosing your vendors is such an important part about planning any kind of wedding - but especially intimate weddings! Choosing to invest in people that are invested in YOU is key. This is going to give you the chance to really add some intentionality & uniqueness to your day!
Opting for a smaller cake rather than a large wedding cake means that that family friend who is the BEST baker can do it for you! You’ll always remember them & how they supported you on your day. You can have a close family member get ordained & marry you & your partner, or you can have your parents make you a homecooked meal from your childhood after the wedding! All of these are super sweet ways to implement meaningful details into your wedding day through a unique approach to hiring vendors.
Who’s coming along?
This goes without saying, but your wedding day is yours. No one else’s. Do it exactly the way you want to without feeling like you have to invite family and friends that you aren’t close with, or even invite anyone at all. It’s important to know that no matter what - you and your partner need to be SO thrilled and positive about your wedding day - it’s the most joyful and special day of your lives together - don’t let the guest list stress you out!
If you do opt to have a 2-person elopement, consider hiring a videographer and having your ceremony recorded! You can share that with family and friends afterwards so they can get a first look in on how your day was. You can also even plan a small reception when you get home too! The options are endless and you can include your family and friends in your intimate wedding in so many creative, nontraditional ways!
Smaller wedding = more time for super-fun post-wedding activities!
It’s time to partyyyy! The beauty of a small wedding is that you guys have ALL of the freedom to plan out whatever you want to do!
Want to go hiking after your ceremony & have a picnic at your favorite overlook? Do it. Want to plan an evening of games & time spent together with your family? Do that! Or even if you want to nix all of that & go on a killer honeymoon together - I fully support you in that as well! You’ve got so much more flexibility when planning something smaller to enjoy every single bit of the wedding experience - you can quite literally do whatever you want!
