Lily & Robert

Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Wedding Date: July 17, 2010

Number of Guests: 18

Wedding Cost: $5,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: United Church of St. Stephen and St. Paul

Wedding Reception Location: Blomidon Inn

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We had an intimate wedding as it was much more personal than a large wedding and we could spend more individual time with each guest and vice versa. The atmosphere is more intimate and personal than a large ballroom or hotel setting. Managing the affair was much more easily executed than a large ceremony. A setting that was more like a family and friends get together. Some of our friends commented that they feel that they were our immediate family members unlike a larger wedding where they spend little time with the bride and groom or their family.

Continue reading Real Weddings: Lily & Robert’s Small Nova Scotia Wedding

Jackie and Marc have lost some of the most special people in their lives. Jackie lost her mother three years ago to cancer. Her aunt and grandma also passed away one year ago. Marc lost both his parents 7 years ago, 6 months apart. Despite the many losses they have faced, Jackie and Marc were able to experience a beautiful and intimate event with family and close friends.

“We both spoke of our missing family members in our speeches, and both cried. We were so focused on what we were saying, we didn’t notice the guests’ reactions. It wasn’t our intent, but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” says Jackie.

And although Jackie missed having her dear mom there, she still felt her presence.

“One of the pictures is a close-up of my flowers with a gold teardrop on it {last photo}. That is a necklace that was wrapped around the bouquet containing some of my moms ashes. I missed planning my wedding with her, but she was with me all day long,” says Jackie.

Jackie, 33 & Marc, 36

Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Wedding Date: May 22, 2010

Number of Guests: 45, and 8 after-dinner guests

Wedding Cost: $9,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: The Parish Church of St. Luke, Burlington ON

Wedding Reception Location: Paradiso Restaurant, Burlington, ON

Continue reading Real Weddings: Jackie & Marc’s Beautiful Intimate Wedding

Sara, 28 & Iain, 29

San Francisco, California

Wedding Date: April16,  2010

Number of Guests: 23

Wedding Cost: $9,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Ceilo Suite Hotel Vitale

Wedding Reception Location: same as above

Continue reading Real Weddings: Sara & Iain’s Terrace Wedding in San Francisco

Sean and Sarah had a 10-guest wedding at the site of their future home in Tenino, WA.  The wedding was held on a Monday afternoon. Photographer Jerome Tso says it was  one of the most relaxed weddings he’s ever shot.

Sean, 32 & Sarah, 22

Tenino, Wa

Wedding Date: June 7th 2010

Number of Guests: 10

Wedding Cost: $ 1,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: The site of the couple’s future home in WA.

Wedding Reception Location: Alderbrook Resort, WA

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

Simplicity and less stress.

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

The location and weather.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

No. We just moved to Washington so only family came out.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

No

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

The wedding toast that was part of the ceremony.

What were the highlights of the reception?

A chartered boat in the Hood canal.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Easy to plan and more social.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Keep it simple and fun and go barefoot.

Vendors:

Cake and Chocolate: Aunt Kates Chocolates in Tenino, Wa

Photography: Jerome Tso Photography, Seattle, WA

Hannah, 21 & Mathew, 21

Valencia, CA

Wedding Date: May 21, 2010

Number of Guests: 30

Wedding Cost: $6,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Bride’s parents’ backyard on their deck

Wedding Reception Location: Bride’s parents’ backyard on a lower level court

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We originally thought of having an intimate wedding to keep costs down, but the more I thought about it the more I loved the idea of only having those nearest and dearest to us there. Every single person at our wedding was really special to us, and we knew we were important to them too.

Continue reading Real Weddings: Hanna and Mathew’s Sunny DIY At-Home Wedding

Lauren, 24 & Geoff, 26

Prince Edward County, Ontario

Wedding Date: July 18, 2009

 Number of Guests: 65

 Wedding Cost: $35,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: The Grange of Prince Edward Winery (The ceremony was by a pond next to the winery’s historic farmhouse.)

Wedding Reception Location: The Grange of Prince Edward Winery (The Grange is one of southern Ontario’s most historic wineries — originally a working farm, transformed into a lush, rolling vineyard. It really reflects the region’s rustic, Loyalist past. It’s reception area is in a beautifully restored barn, with towering cathedral ceilings and exposed beams, a tasting bar, and courtyard patio.) 

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We both have small families, so we knew that a small, intimate wedding was a possibility. We spend a lot of time in Prince Edward County because Geoff’s father owns a farm there, and we had been to the Grange many times for wine tasting. We decided that we wanted to have a wedding at one of Prince Edward County’s wineries and when we visited the Grange, we decided that it was the perfect place. The venue could only accomodate up to 75 guests, so our upper limit for guests was already set! It was nice to think more about who we wanted to join us for the wedding, rather than who we could invite to fill a large venue.

Continue reading Real Weddings: Lauren & Geoff’s Rustic Winery Wedding

Ulrika, 34 & Emil, 34

Öregrund, a small picturesque town in Sweden.

Wedding Date: May 20, 2010

Number of Guests: 10 (Emil’s parents, sister and partner, Ulrika’s mother, father and wife, brother and Emil and Ulrika’s two sons Axel and Isak).

Wedding Cost: $12,000 USD

Wedding Ceremony Location: Öregrunds kyrka

Wedding Reception Location: Hotel Floras Trädgård, Öregrund

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We chose an intimate wedding for different reasons. At first we felt different about how big the wedding should be. Ulrika wanted a bigger wedding and Emil preferred a small one. Afterward, Ulrika felt very lucky that they went for a small wedding. It was so great! Small, perfect and one of the happiest days in our lives. Another reason why we chose an intimate wedding was the lack of time to arrange a big wedding. With two small kids, a house and full time jobs it’s difficult to find the extra time.

Continue reading Real Weddings: Ulrika & Emil’s Small Swedish Wedding

Kaitlin, 27 & Chris, 26

Demorest, GA

Wedding Date: April 24, 2010.

Number of Guests: 50

Wedding Ceremony Location: Our living room! It poured rain on and off all day, we had planned on having the ceremony in the front yard but changed it at the last minute to bring all of our friends and family into our little living room. It was the most amazing feeling having everyone in one room while we read our vows and the story of our heart.

Wedding Reception Location: The tent in our backyard

Continue reading Real Weddings: Kaitlin & Chris’s Intimate At-Home Wedding

Shannon, 33 & Damian, 41

Houston, Texas

Wedding Date: May 1, 2010

Number of Guests: 35

Wedding Cost: $3,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: St. John Church, Sam Houston Park, Houston, TX

Wedding Reception Location: Sambuca Restaurant, Houston TX

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We would rather have quality over quantity.  We are practical and enjoy the simple things so a big production was not in our vision.  Instead we wanted to share a very personal experience with those closest to us.  We had a short time line, special locations and wanted to retain our sanity through the planning.  Eloping was considered but there were those special few I couldn’t have imagined not sharing the moment with.  We have the rest of our lives to be together, a few hours with our loved ones was worth having the day for.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Well besides the guest list, we had such a hard time finding things.  Seems like all the resources are about the big events – bulk packaged for 200 guests.  Even my dress was difficult.  Since there are not many white & short dresses in the winter when I was shopping, with the added requirement to be appropriate for bike riding, I was mostly restricted to buying online. Dresses were coming in the mail every week or so.  It took 4 purchases and returns until I found THE one.  In the end it was better and encouraged us to make it more our own.   We tried to remind others, and ourselves, that the day was about and for US.

Continue reading Real Weddings: Shannon & Damian’s Historic Chapel Wedding

Helen, 35 & Neil, 35

Toronto, Ontario

Wedding Date: September 19, 2009

Number of Guests: 75

Wedding Cost: $50,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, schoolroom

Wedding Reception Location: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, hall

Continue reading Real Weddings: Helen & Neil’s Toronto Schoolhouse Wedding