Intimate Wedding Ideas
An intimate wedding is a smaller, more personal wedding that involves a limited number of guests. Intimate is defined as “closely acquainted; familiar” or “private and personal”. Essentially an intimate wedding consists of everything a traditional wedding day would, just with less people.
The benefits of having an intimate wedding are endless. A small and intimate wedding will allow you to focus more on personalisation, thereby creating a more meaningful and memorable experience for you and your guests. Not to mention, since you’ll be feeding fewer heads, you’ll lower the total cost, or you’ll have more room in your budget to splurge on some of your other priorities.
Intimate weddings are growing in popularity as more couples prioritise spending more quality time with their loved ones on their special day. In this blog, we’ll explore 10 creative ideas for an intimate wedding. Let’s get into it.
1. Design your own wedding stationery
A smaller guest list gives you the opportunity to create custom wedding stationery. You can choose a timeless, classic design or experiment with unique, modern styles. You could even send handwritten wedding invitations with beautiful lettering. Designing your own personalised wedding stationery is a fun and creative way to showcase your personality and add a special touch to your big day. It also provides guests with a personalised keepsake from your wedding day.
2. Hire a great wedding photographer
Invest in a professional wedding photographer to document your special day. With fewer guests, your wedding photographer can focus on capturing candid, emotional moments. When looking at wedding photographers it’s important to view their portfolio, check out their style and read reviews from their previous wedding clients. It’s also a good idea to meet with your chosen photographer before the big day, even if it’s just online, to discuss your preferences.
3. Incorporate pre-wedding events
Make the most of your time with your closest family and friends by planning pre-wedding gatherings such as a relaxed rehearsal dinner or welcome party. These gatherings provide an opportunity for everyone to unwind and connect before the main event, allowing friends and family to mingle in a more casual setting. Plus, it sets a warm tone for the celebrations to come and allows you even more time to spend with your loved ones.
4. Name you signature cocktails
A signature cocktail is a drink or drinks that the couple getting married choose to serve on their wedding day. Whether it’s a classic drink with a twist or a completely original creation, naming your cocktails adds a fun and personal touch to your small wedding reception. If you want to provide a few options, consider serving one cocktail chosen by you, one chosen by your partner and one that you choose together to reflect your love story and tie into the wedding theme.
5. Include your dog in your wedding
If your furry friend is an important part of your life, you can find ways to include them into your wedding (if your intimate wedding venue allows). Sure, you can have dogs at a wedding no matter what the size, but having pups at small, intimate weddings is much more manageable for you, and far less overwhelming for them. They can greet your guests, walk down the aisle with you, serve as a ring bearer or you can have them carry the flower petals down the aisle. It’s totally up to you!
6. Increase the personalisation
Intimate weddings allow for more thoughtful details such as personalised place cards, napkins, chairs and more. These small yet meaningful touches make your wedding feel special and deeply personal. Consider having caricatures drawn of your guests as part of your wedding entertainment. Remember, anything personalised can double up as a wedding favour for your guests to take home with them. You can also have a personalised wedding guest book made with each guest inside.
7. Experiment with table layouts
With a smaller guestlist, you can get creative with your table layouts and seating arrangements. If you’re having a sit-down wedding breakfast, one option is setting up a U-shaped table instead of traditional banquet style tables. Not only does this shape work well in a small space, but it can really create a more cosy and intimate ambiance amongst smaller celebrations. Grazing tables, sharing platters and small plates are also great ways to get your guests socialising.
8. Go all out on décor
Just because you’re hosting a small wedding doesn’t mean you have to skimp on any of the details. In fact, fewer guests and more budget means you can splurge on wedding décor. Once you’ve decided on an overall wedding theme, you can begin planning what wedding decorations best reflect your style. From the ceremony to the reception, wedding decorations can include floral arrangements, table centrepieces, aisle runners, arches and lighting, depending on your preferences.
9. Hire an acoustic performer
An intimate wedding is the perfect setting for a live acoustic performer. Hire a solo guitarist, a string quartet, or a jazz singer to set the mood with soft, romantic melodies that enhance the ambience of your wedding. The softer sound of acoustic music creates a more relaxed atmosphere, which is perfect for smaller gatherings. An acoustic performer can easily adapt their setlist to fit your preferences, adding to the magical and heartfelt atmosphere of your wedding day.
10. Have a midweek wedding
For those on a budget, a weekday wedding can save money and increase the likelihood of venue availability. Midweek weddings can also provide a more relaxed atmosphere. Avoid the hustle and bustle of busy weekends and enjoy a relaxed, out-of-the-way wedding in the company of those closest to you. Many intimate wedding venues offer discounts for midweek bookings, making it an attractive option for a smaller, more budget conscious affair.
Intimate weddings at Heather Glen Country House Hotel
At Heather Glen Country House Hotel we understand your wedding day is such a personal experience. Whether you have hundreds of people on your wedding guestlist or you just want those who know you best to witness your special day, our wedding venue is perfect for you. With difference spaces, some large and some small, and as a licensed wedding venue on the edge of the Lake District, Heather Glen Country House Hotel is an exceptionally unique wedding venue for intimate weddings. Get in touch with the friendly and experienced team at Heather Glen to start planning your perfect intimate hotel wedding.
