7 reasons to have a small, intimate wedding

It’s the 5,000th day of 2020 and somehow we’re still only in the middle of May. How are you holding up? It’s an interesting time and while there are so obvious benefits, slowing down being one, there are some downsides. Not being able to see family and friends and hugs are top of what I’m missing.

Coronavirus has all but put an end to most wedding plans for couples due to get married in 2020. Weddings from March until at least July have been postponed leaving scores of couples resetting and counting down to a new date. My heart is with every one of you. If you’re in this situation and looking for some guidance or some help, please get in touch. I’m here to help any way I can.

The hope is that we’ll be able to have weddings from summer onwards but no one is sure what they will look like. The need to be distant from people in social settings is likely to continue for unforeseeable future so what does this mean for couples with larger guest lists?

Couples who have planned large weddings are preparing to scale down their days and guest list if they want to get married in 2020 and likely early 2021.

Confetti over married couple

Like you, I don’t know what guidelines and laws the government are going to bring in to keep us safe once the lockdown is eased, but the reality is this new normal is going to be here for a while and it’s good to be prepared but still hold out for that silver lining.

While you don’t need to make any decisions right now, I wanted to share a few benefits of having a more intimate celebration if you’re still unsure of your next move.

1. Smaller weddings can be easier to plan

Small weddings can be being stress-free weddings as there are fewer decisions, less family drama and more time to enjoy your pre-wedding activities. Small weddings also appear to be more spontaneous and personal.

If the thought of planning your wedding day has never excited, this benefit is for you. Larger weddings can feel like a second job. If you’ve already got a full-time job, planning your wedding could leave you with little chance to get excited about your wedding. A smaller wedding has fewer moving parts which means you can take time out to enjoy the process and plan for your marriage.

2. Smaller weddings are more intimate

Last year, we attended the wedding of one of Alex’s friends. We were the only guests. In the ceremony room, it was the couple getting married, us and the registrars. No one else. I’ve been to small weddings before but this was new and I still can’t find the words to describe how I felt. The atmosphere blew me away. It was so personal and emotional. There are no distractions at a wedding this small. To be part of someone’s day when it is this intimate is life-changing. You feel part of the ceremony and you listen to each and feel every word. It was so powerful and raw and it hit me in a way I hadn’t expected.

I’ve photographed small weddings but to be part of one made me realise why they feel more romantic and more spontaneous than larger weddings. Every person who attends a small wedding has a special place in the story of your relationship. Every face is familiar to you so you’ll remember and know who was there. The question ‘who’s that?’ when you look through your photos should never come up.

Couple walking through park

3. Smaller wedding = better guest experience

Following on from the point above, a smaller wedding means fewer guests which means you can spend more meaningful time with them. Your guests will also be more likely to mingle bringing both of your families together easier as they find out who each other is. A great way to strengthen family ties.

4. Smaller weddings mean no wedding day amnesia

Couples over the years have told me that their weddings passed in a blur and they didn’t remember a lot of what happened so the photographs helped to connect them to their day. It’s harder with a larger event to take a step back and soak up the atmosphere. A smaller wedding gives you more time to talk and connect with your guests but still sneak off if you need some quiet time together.

Guests toasting wedding couple

5. Smaller weddings allow you to maximise your budget

If you were planning a larger wedding before 2020 happened and are now thinking of a more intimate celebration, you may now have a bigger budget to play with. One thing it also can do is give you more money to put towards your future, as opposed to on your day. You likely have some leeway to make changes to your day to make it a little sweeter and a little more special.

6. Smaller weddings mean unique wedding locations

A smaller guest list opens up your venue choices and allows you to be more creative or rethink traditional options. There are so many unique locations you can choose to showcase your style and personalities from empty swimming baths to pubs to restaurants to breweries, etc. Many unique wedding venues may have reduced costs since they aren’t traditionally marketed for wedding celebrations.

Couple hugging while in front of bush

7. Perfect for introverts

If being in the spotlight isn’t for you or you get overwhelmed surrounded by lots of people, then a smaller wedding may be for you. You’ll be surrounded by close family and friends who want nothing more than to support you which will give you a boost and leave you feeling calm and relaxed.

While cutting your guest list down may not leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, I hope this post has highlighted some great advantages of smaller weddings.

If you’re planning a small wedding, let’s chat about your plans and how we can make your day a true reflection of your relationship.