You’ve made the guest list, created the budget, and have that Pinterest board for inspo going. But now you’re thinking, what makes for a great intimate wedding?
Well friend let me tell you.
From both a professional POV and personal experience, there are several things you can do to make for a great intimate wedding.
I personally planned our own intimate wedding ceremony 10 months after our private elopement.
And I wouldn’t change. a. thing.
3 Tips for Creating a Great Intimate Wedding
There are SO many ways to make for a great intimate wedding so let’s dive in.
1. Your Vendor Team
Your vendor team is what can make or break a great intimate wedding. The vendors who are with you from start to finish (both planning and leading up to) help lead the way for the day so that you can have a calm and incredible experience.
Find vendors who communicate quickly, have a personality that meshes well with yours, and has the same goal in mind as you when it comes to your wedding experience.
I highly recommend hiring a wedding planner for your intimate wedding. Though the guest count may be smaller, there is still a longggg list of things to do and the right planner will help take things off your plate (shoutout to Dom for our wedding). If you want to hear some wedding planning advice from real couples, head to this post.
Head to this blog next for my 8 top intimate wedding venue recommendations in Indy. or my top 5 intimate wedding venues in Indiana
Or this blog for my 10 fav intimate wedding venues in Chicago
2. The Guest List
A great intimate wedding starts with a great guest list.
We’re not inviting our fourth cousin once removed and your great Uncle Jerry who you have never met before.
Intimate wedding guest lists are meant to be intentional, a small group of those closest to you. An ideal intimate wedding guest list is anywhere from 20-80 people. This allows for you and your partner to know who each and every guest is and to be able to talk to everyone (only if you want).
A lower guest count keeps your day more intimate and also helps keep the budget lower if that’s one of your priorities. From my POV, I’ve found that couples who limit their guest list are able to have more meaningful conversations, less stressed about seeing everyone, and celebrate with those closest to them. Having a smaller guest count does not mean your intimate wedding will be any less great.
Check out my elopement packages and process if you’re considering a lower guest count or just the two of you!
And if you’re still deciding, this blog will help!
3. More Flexibility
The great thing about having an intimate wedding is making it your own with more opportunities. A smaller guest list may mean there’s more of a budget for decor, a fancier meal and a more flexible timeline.
From experience, an intimate wedding has A LOT more flexibility than a traditional wedding. Couples that I have worked with spread their timeline out throughout the day (or into a multi-day wedding experience) making for a non rushed experience.
This could look like:
- They get ready with one another
- Read private vows on their own time
- Have a private ceremony followed by a dinner with all their friends and family.
There’s no pressure to follow a strict timeline and there’s more flexibility to adding in special moments tailored to you.
Some Inspiration From My Couples
A few ideas to get your wedding planning juices rolling-
Alex and Matt who wanted to have their wedding in her dad’s backyard followed by a cocktail hour by a private chef.
Danielle and Clinton chose to have a short ceremony followed by the traditional cake cutting but with a twist (outside before dinner)
Alexis and Christian who rented out an Airbnb and hosted their family and friends for a ceremony and private dinner
Rania and Scott who had an early morning ceremony followed by a cocktail reception that evening
Myself and my husband who eloped the previous year and hosted a vow renewal ceremony in my parents yard followed by dinner at our favorite restaurant
Photos by Tethered Stories
Want even more ideas for your intimate wedding? Head to this blog where I share 10 tips for planning a Micro Wedding.
As you can see, there are so many incredible ways to make for a great intimate wedding. Take it from my professional POV. And if you ever need ideas or a sidekick to make your day chaos free- contact me here!
