When planning a wedding, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the costs that come with hosting a large number of guests. Some couples prefer to keep their weddings small and intimate. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what classifies as an intimate wedding and why it could be the perfect choice for you.
What is an intimate wedding?
An intimate wedding is a celebration with a small number of guests, usually ranging from 20 to 50 people. This type of wedding is different from a micro wedding, which typically has 10 or fewer guests. An intimate wedding allows you to spend more quality time with your guests and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.
Why choose an intimate wedding?
There are many reasons why couples choose to have an intimate wedding. Perhaps the most significant reason is the cost. Weddings are expensive, and by limiting the number of guests, you can save a lot of money on things like catering, venue rental, and decorations. An intimate wedding also allows you to create a more personalized experience. You can focus on the details that matter most to you and your partner, rather than trying to please a large crowd. Additionally, if you’re someone who struggles with anxiety or being the center of attention, a smaller wedding might be a better fit for you.
How to plan an intimate wedding
Planning an intimate wedding requires a different approach than planning a larger wedding. Here are some tips to help you plan a successful intimate wedding:
Create a guest list: Because you’re keeping the guest list small, you’ll need to be strategic about who you invite. Consider who is most important to you and your partner. Only invite the people you can’t imagine celebrating without – family, close friends and loved ones.
Choose a venue: An intimate wedding opens up more options for where you can celebrate your special day. You can choose a location that’s meaningful to you, such as a family member’s backyard or a favorite brewery. Some couples even opt for non-traditional locations like national parks or museums.
Design your space: Since you’re not hosting a massive reception, you can focus on the design of your space to create a beautiful environment. You can use fewer decorations and choose high-quality ones to make a statement.
Personalize your wedding: With fewer guests, your wedding can be personalized to truly reflect you and your partner. Consider adding meaningful details to your wedding, such as photos, personal items, or special pieces of decor.
Provide an experience: Since you’re not hosting a large group, you can focus on creating a unique experience for your guests. Consider interactive activities like a DIY cocktail bar, wine tasting, or a photo booth with personalized props.
In conclusion
An intimate wedding offers many benefits and may be the perfect choice for you. Consider following these tips to plan a unique, personalized wedding surrounded by your closest loved ones. Remember, it’s your day, and you should celebrate in a way that makes you the happiest.
FAQ
What is the difference between an intimate wedding and an elopement?
Weddings are traditional ceremonies that mark a significant milestone in a couple’s life. While all weddings share similar characteristics such as public declarations of love and commitment between two people, the scale, and intimacy of the event may vary depending on the couple’s preferences and values. Two common wedding alternatives are intimate weddings and elopements. Though these two options share some similarities, they have differences that make them unique and memorable in their way.
An intimate wedding is a small-scale ceremony that usually has a limited guest list. The size of an intimate wedding can usually range between 10-20 guests, but this may vary depending on the couple’s preferences and the venue’s capacity. Oftentimes, intimate weddings will have a venue. It can be a restaurant, a backyard, an event space, or even a destination location. Guests at an intimate wedding are usually family members, close friends, and possibly a few colleagues or acquaintances. The attire is usually formal or semi-formal, and the ceremony’s demeanor is relatively more casual than a traditional wedding. Intimate weddings typically have a sit-down dinner or reception – a suitable way to bond with guests and share your joyous milestone with loved ones.
On the other hand, elopements are defined as private wedding ceremonies that are typically done in secret. It’s a time when the couple exchanges vows privately, without inviting guests or planning a reception. Elopements often take place outdoors, at a city hall, an Airbnb, or in a destination location such as the seashore or a mountain top. Elopements usually have one or two witnesses and sometimes a photographer. This type of wedding is often associated with a feeling of adventure and spontaneity, but it can be equally romantic and intimate.
Elopements often have a lower budget than traditional weddings or intimate weddings because they do not require a venue and a place to seat or house guests. However, they can sometimes have high expenses such as traveling and accommodation. Elopements are also great for couples who want a low-stress, low-key wedding ceremony without the pressure of a big event.
While intimate weddings and elopements both offer unique experiences, they are different in size, location, and tone. An intimate wedding typically has more guests, a venue, and a formal reception. Elopements typically have a smaller and more private venue, few (if any) guests, and no reception. The choice between the two depends on the couple’s preferences and their values. Whatever the choice may be, the important thing is that the couple gets the wedding ceremony that they desire and cherish the happy memories forever.
What are the 3 forms of elope?
The term “elope” is a verb that implies running away clandestinely to get married or to avoid social or familial obligations without their consent or knowledge. This word has three forms: the past tense, the present tense, and the present participle.
The past tense of elope is “eloped” and refers to a completed action in the past. For example, someone could say “Last weekend, my friend eloped with her partner and got married at a small chapel in the woods.”
The present tense of elope is “elopes” and refers to an action that is happening right now. For instance, you can say “I cannot believe it! Our neighbors elope to Las Vegas and got married by Elvis.”
The present participle of elope is “eloping,” refers to an on-going action, or a habit, or an activity that is in progress. For example, one might say “They have been eloping all summer long, ever since they secretly started dating.”
“Elope” has three forms, and the correct usage depends on the tense the sentence is in. Understanding the differences between these three forms can help to communicate your message effectively.
What qualifies as an elopement?
The idea of eloping has evolved over the years, and the actual definition of it has become a bit blurred. Traditionally, eloping meant running away secretly and getting married without the knowledge or consent of family members. However, in recent years, the concept of eloping has become more popular, with couples choosing to have intimate and private weddings with a small group of close family and friends or without any guests at all. So, what exactly qualifies as an elopement?
While there is no fixed number that officially defines an elopement, our team of elopement professionals usually consider it as when a couple decides to celebrate their marriage with 10 or fewer people. The guest list includes the couple themselves, the officiant, and a small number of family or close friends who can act as witnesses. However, this is not a rule by any means; some couples prefer to elope and not have any guests, while others may invite up to 20 or 30 people.
It’s essential to note that eloping isn’t just for couples who want to avoid family confrontations or planning a big wedding. Many couples opt to elope because it allows them to have an intimate moment that focuses on their love for each other, away from the stress and pressure of planning a big wedding. It’s an opportunity to get married in a beautiful location that represents who they are as a couple without feeling the need to satisfy guests, family members, or cultural traditions.
An elopement is an intimate and special way to celebrate marriage with a small group of individuals that don’t exceed ten people – this can be with or without close family and friends. Elopements have grown in popularity over the years because they offer couples more flexibility in where, when and how they get married, providing them with a personalized experience that focuses on the love and commitment between two individuals.
