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.

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

There were really few challenges as we met with everyone involved, from the minister, to the flower folks, to the reception staff as well as where we had the entire group stay leading up to the wedding as well as the wedding night to ensure that everything was in place prior to the big day. Following the meeting of all of these people, we corresponded by email with each depending on the input required. More in-depth emails took place between ourselves and the minister to work out the wedding ceremony, as we wrote and exchanged our own vows and had three separate readings done by our wedding guests. Additionally, we worked with our organist to ensure that the music we wanted was discussed and that we were on the same page leading up to our wedding day. Rehearsal the night before was done without some members, who were in travel status but it gave us a clear idea on how things would unfold the following day. Included in the rehearsal was not only the minister and the organist but the caretaker at the church who ensured that our wedding bows were gathered and packed up prior to leaving the premises to go onto to our photo shoot and ultimately our reception. Additionally hair and make up appointments had also been booked months in advance. Both Robert and I have extensive event planning backgrounds which meant that we knew what the roll out of the day would be and who was responsible for what.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

It was not difficult to come up with a guest list as our main objective was to hold the wedding where Robert’s parents did not have to travel too far (they live in Halifax).

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Highlights of the ceremony were the same as a larger wedding: the bride walking down the aisle of the church, the groom’s reaction to seeing her, reading of the vows, etc.

What were the highlights of the reception?

Highlights of the reception was the cosy atmosphere at the Blomindon Inn and speeches, along with pictures. We had pictures taken with the bride/groom with each set of invited guests and will print copies and provide as gifts back to the guests.

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

Advice for couples is to have an intimate wedding as it is more personal for both the guests and bride/groom alike.

Vendors:

Wedding Venue:Blomidon Inn

Wedding Photographer: This Is Photography

“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

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

Mainly in the beginning it was to save money. During our wedding planning process, we changed our minds a few times. Originally we were going to do a destination wedding just the two of us, then we actually booked a large wedding hall for 100+ people. We canceled that and found an amazing venue to hold our intimate wedding with 45 of our closest family members and friends. The end result was amazing, and we wouldn’t change a thing!

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

One of the challenges was trying to whittle down the guest list. There were some people who we couldn’t invite that we would have liked to have been there.

Another challenge was finding a venue that would work with a small intimate wedding. We found that to be a little harder than we thought it was going to be. We had to keep in mind that there were going to be guest that wouldn’t have an easy time with stairs, so the place that we picked had to be on the ground floor.

We decided that a restaurant venue was perfect for us, but we wanted a place that had no hidden fees. We found Paradiso Restaurant in the Village Square in Burlington and they didn’t have any extra fees at all, and the private room was beautiful!

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Yes it was. That is the main reason that we had originally booked a large wedding hall. I come from a large extended family, and in our family, you can’t just pick and choose who you really want to come. You can’t invite Sally, and not Jim and his kids. It was for that reason we went with immediate family and friends. My husband has a smaller family, so that allowed us to cap the list at 45. The room had a limit of 52, so that helped in not adding extras as time went on. I couldn’t invite my cousins to the dinner, and as hard as that was, it had to be. We decided to invite a select few for dessert and drinks afterward. That was really nice because we really wanted to share our wedding day with them too.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family?

We received a few comments here and there from family but mostly we believe that we did a good job at deciding who was there. I lost my mother 3 years ago to cancer, and a few family members wondered if our wedding would be different if she was still here. I think she would have been very happy with everything.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

I don’t think there were any particular “highlights” for the ceremony. We both really enjoyed the service. The parish that we had our ceremony at is over 100 years old and completely made of wood. It’s a landmark here in Burlington and we really loved it and so did our guests. I guess you could say that the venue was the highlight of our ceremony.

What were the highlights of the reception?

People also commented how it was their favourite wedding because of the intimacy of it. That made us feel wonderful! A lot of details were planned to make it perfect. From analyzing the décor to searching for the best deals, to the DIY projects, everything was perfect! We also made a set list of soothing/relaxing music that was heard on the speaker over dinner, and it was so perfect, and really set the mood!

The reception was in a separate room away from other patrons and it was something that my husband and I focused so much on. We wanted to make the room so warm, welcoming and intimate for our guests that we lost sight of whether the dinner was going to be good or not. Well, we got a lot of great comments from our guests that the food at Paradiso was absolutely delicious.

Another highlight of the reception were the speeches.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Not spending $25k – $50k on a large wedding! Honestly, the lower cost of a small wedding was one of the best things about an intimate wedding. That being said, I think the fact that our guests felt much more relaxed being at a small venue was something that we made us happy.

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

JUST DO IT! Seriously…why spend so much money on a large wedding? I realize that some people have very large families and that a large wedding is the only way to go, but if you can get away with having a small wedding, do it. It’s going to save you a lot of money that can go to much more important things that you both can enjoy over many years…like a house!

Besides, the intimate nature of a small wedding will make it that more special for the both of you and your guests.

Vendors:

Photography: Mike Hewis Photographic Art

Venue: Paradiso Restaurant

Church: St. Luke’s

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

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We don’t enjoy big parties with lots of people. We really wanted the wedding, especially the ceremony to be about us and a celebration of our relationship, not a huge family party. We have been to big weddings and found them stressful and impersonal.

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

The main challenges were not inviting everyone. I’m sure some people, especially family were upset, but it is what we wanted and we hoped they understood. We had a destination wedding, so it was too expensive for many people to come anyway! Also, it was a challenge to find a venue that was not too big and would allow for a small party without huge minimum spends.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Not really. We only wanted close friends and family. We could have had a much longer list but it would have been just to please family members.

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

We just invited immediate family and very close friends, no kids etc.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

It was great having outside with the fantastic view of San Francisco. The ceremony was very personal; we had a friend and the groom’s father do a reading which was lovely and funny. Quite a few people cried! It was beautiful! Saying our vows felt so right; it was long time coming and quite emotional.

What were the highlights of the reception?

It was so small that we had a chance to relax and talk to everyone. The views again were stunning with the sun setting over the bay! Very romantic.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

It being so personal, relaxed and also being able to spend time talking to people and just enjoying the day. We didn’t have to think about things going well as it was so stress-free. It was such a great day and we are so glad we did everything the way we did.

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

Go for it! It makes the day about you and no one else. You have to remember it’s your wedding and don’t get pressured into making it bigger if a small wedding is what you want. People will get over it, but you will have your wedding memories for the rest of your lives!

Vendors:

Wedding Photographer: Janae Shields Photography (She was fab.)

Flowers: Added Touch Flowers (Great service and truly beautiful flowers.)

Acoustic Guitarist: Elle Music

Venue: Hotel Vitale (Great service and beautiful location.)

Make up: Awny

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.

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

We had trouble finding a venue at first. We originally did not want to have it at my parents’ house because we knew it would be a LOT of work. We would have to find all outside vendors, as well as do the set-up and tear-down ourselves. We booked a room at a really neat restaurant in Pasadena, but four weeks before the wedding they sent me an e-mail telling me they would be closing down. We weren’t left with much of a choice and decided to have the backyard wedding. I am so happy we did now! It was a ton of work, but well worth it. The only thing I would change is that we would have had more time to plan, four weeks is not a lot of time to get everything together for a backyard wedding!

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

It wasn’t very difficult for us. We decided to only have immediate family and a handful of our closest friends.

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

Everyone was very understanding with us. I spoke to some people who we decided not to invite although they thought they might be invited, and each one only wished us the best.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

My sister officiated the wedding and she didn’t make it through the first sentence before she broke down crying, but it made it all the more special. She worked hard to put together a very personal ceremony for us. We also wrote our own vows to each other. Everything was so personalized, it was wonderful.

What were the highlights of the reception?

My favorite part of the reception was that we all sat at one long table. My husband and I could see every guest from where we sat.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The best thing about having an intimate wedding was being able to spend time with every one of our guests. We didn’t have dancing, aside from the first dance, but everyone still got up and moved around and talked to one another. We even had a homemade “photo booth” and I was able to get a silly picture with everyone there. All of our guests meant something to us, even our wonderful photographer is a very close friend who flew all the way from Louisiana to take our wedding pictures, and our guitarist for our ceremony and reception is a friend of my dad’s who I have known since I was very little.

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

Intimate weddings are great and give you a chance to really personalize everything. The wedding is about the couple, rather than just a huge party. I would advise that you don’t take on too much. Just because the guest list is small it doesn’t mean that it’s easier to do all of the details yourself. My sister and I made our own wedding cake, my mom and I made all of our favors and centerpieces, and we decorated and set up the wedding all on our own. I love how everything turned out, but it was really stressful trying to get everything done and we were working up until the very last minute.

Vendors:

Photography: Katelyn Demidow Photography

Catering: Stonefire Grill in Valencia, CA

Ceremony and cake flowers: Gloria Muscarella

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.

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

Like most people who have intimate weddings, it wasn’t possible to invite every person we would have liked. But starting from a set number of guests and working from there was actually an easy way to do the guest list.

 Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

 Yes, but we both have very small families, so we were able to invite all of our close friends, which gave the wedding a really fantastic atmosphere.

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

Not really. Once you have selected a small venue, you can always say “with such a small venue, we just couldn’t have everyone we care about join us for the wedding.”

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Reading our vows and looking in each other’s eyes just before we were married was a moment we’ll never forget. One memorable detail was Lauren arriving at the ceremony in an antique car. Getting out of the car and walking down the flower-lined aisle was a beautiful image.

What were the highlights of the reception?

The speeches were an unforgettable part of the night. Another great thing about having an intimate wedding was that the speeches were really warm and heartfelt — and the audience knew what the speakers were talking about! It made the speeches a wonderful, emotional ceremony, rather than a long and boring ritual.

We were lucky enough to have Michael Potters cater our wedding, and he prepared a tapas-style menu that was one of the highlights of the reception– the guests were thrilled.

 What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

One of the best things about having an intimate wedding is that it is much easier to control the wedding costs while still having all of the touches you want in a wedding. Geoff and I were able to have a really elegant wedding without breaking our budget too much.

 It was great to know every guest at the wedding well — it let us spend our time celebrating rather than meeting people.

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

I would suggest choosing a venue that you find magical and building the wedding from there. Don’t pick your second-favourite venue because it will fit more guests — pick the venue you want and then build the guest list. Our experience was that the perfect venue makes all of the other choices easier.

 Vendors:

Photography: Studio Phototerra

Wedding planner: The Grange provided a fantastic wedding planner, Monica Mills

DJ: Impact Entertainment, Randy Woolman

Officiant: Suzanne Pierson, from All Seasons Weddings

Catering: Chef Michael Potters from the Harvest Restaurant in Picton Ontario

Florist: Red Barn Floral Design

Cellist: Marion Stratton Duo

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.

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

We didn’t face any special difficulties planning the wedding. When the day came everything went very smoothly.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

No, it wasn’t hard to make the guest list. We decided that we only should include our families and therefore it was easy.

What were the highlights of the day?

There was so many highlights. It felt like the entire day was a highlight. In the morning when the bride was getting ready with her dear friends, while the groom enjoyed himself in their home. Then to come out to Öregrund this beautiful spring day was wonderful. While the bride was waiting for the groom, she had butterflies. They decided that they shouldn’t see each other before they were dressed up. To finally meet Emil on the wedding day was overwhelming. He was so handsome!

Another highlight was to be photographed by our wedding photographer Erika Gerdemark. She is an amazing photographer and a lovely person! To stand at the cliffs and view the ocean; to walk down the aisle in the church with your loved one; the ceremony; the beautiful song performed by Maria Hallgren; the personal speech by the priest; the happiness in our childrens‘ eyes; the presence of our families; and the wonderful feeling of knowing that everyone we love was among us on our big day; the bridal toast; the dinner with all the speeches at Hotel Flora; the evening. EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT!

To wake up at Hotel Flora as husband and wife was so lovely. We had a wonderful breakfast with our families before we went walking around in Öregrund. Before we headed home we had a delightful lunch in the harbor.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The best thing about having an intimate wedding was that it made it easier for us to really enjoy the day. If you arranging a big wedding it’s more common to feel bad about not having  enough time to speak with every single guest.

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

Make sure to catch each and every moment and enjoy the day. It’s a magical and unforgettable day that you will remember for the rest of your life. To share all of these moments with your loved ones is amazing!

Vendors:

Wedding photographer: Erika Gerdemark

Reception: Hotell Floras Trädgård, Öregrund, (Sweden)

Accomodations: Klockargården, Öregrund

Florist: Interflora Trend, Uppsala

Hairdresser: Stilfrisör (Elin Carlsson), Uppsala

Makeup: Creative Makeup (David), Uppsala

Wedding attire: Bröllopsbutiken Stockholm, Jaber Mode Uppsala

Singer: Maria Hallengren

Thanks to everyone that helped us to make our wedding day to the most precious day. It will last forever in our minds.

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

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

Our friends and family mean the world to us and we wanted to have a celebration that included everyone. We decided to have the ceremony at our home because we wanted to invite our friends and family into our daily life.

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

There actually weren’t too many. It went very smoothly because we knew early on that we were not interested in a traditional wedding and this allowed us to do whatever we wanted.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Nope. Everyone that was there was meant to be there.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family?

Nope.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

The highlights of the ceremony definitely include our officiant telling the story of our life together. My husband and I have been together for fourteen years and it so beautiful and amazing to hear some tell that story. Our vows were also very powerful and moving.

What were the highlights of the reception?

The highlight of the reception include quite a few moments, including a wonderful dinner, being with our family and towards the end, my mom’s giant southern black hat being passed around to everyone while our photographer took photographs.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The best thing about having an intimate wedding was just that feeling of being so close to everyone. The energy was amazing!

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

My advice would be to take the time to decide what is most important and be open to that changing during the process.

Vendors:

Photographer: Larissa Cleveland Photography

Dress:Wai Ching

Cake: E.B Cakes

Rings: Athena Jewelers

Catering: Hawk Wild BBQ

Floral: Michaleens

Invitations: Boxcar Press

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.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Not too bad.  We wound up about 15 over our original plan.  But every person has a special place in our life so it was worth it.

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

We made sure the locations were small enough that we couldn’t hold any more people!  We also assured them we would be sending out wedding announcements with photos.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

The tears; there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. The whole ceremony went off without a hitch. The minister created the ceremony that very morning specific to us and our love.  Perfect weather; sunset light coming through the church windows; no one fell or passed out.

What were the highlights of the reception?

Instead of a guest book we made guest cards.  A mix of LOVE related photos including pictures of our parents.  Each guest picked a card and shared their wishes and advice on the back.  We keep the cards in a wooden box and add our own love notes to it.   It helps us remember the day, the people, and the love we are so lucky to have.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

We could do anything we wanted.  We didn’t have to consider how cost prohibitive things would be at a per person price multiplied by a long list.  If WE loved it, we did it.   And less hand cramps from writing out invitations.

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

Do it!!! Most importantly do it for yourselves and enjoy every moment of it.

Vendors:

Photographer: Holly Hoyt Photography

Cake: Bakery and Cakes, Conroe Texas

Invitations: Jason McElweenie Designs

Bouquets: Groom’s Sister

Flowers: HEB

Hair: Grace Goodson

Make Up: Emily Dove

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

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We wanted to create a personal and warm experience for ourselves as well as for each of our guests.

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

As with planning any event, whether it is for 75 or 300 people, there are the challenges of meeting expectations, time-lines, and budgets. We were fortunate to have been assisted by our fabulous wedding planner, Lisa Allian, who was able to keep our stress to a minimum, and kept us on track in terms of time-lines and cost.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Not really. Though we refined our list a few times, we stayed true to the fact that we wanted a smaller wedding. We were not focused on the number of guests in order to make it a celebration, but rather the quality of our friendships and connections we shared with our guests.

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

Our “issues” were small and involved children. We did not extend our invitations to children under the age of 12. When asked, we kindly requested that parents find alternate care for their child(ren) for the evening.  Many of our guests have children, or were expecting, but all were quick to acknowledge their excitement of going out to party with us!

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

The schoolroom! It was so charming! A 3-piece string band played as guests were seated at old school desks, and a family member conducted the ceremony.  Having everyone in the enclosed space helped capture the intimacy we wanted for that moment.

What were the highlights of the reception?

The highlight was the ambiance in the room. We chose to have a cocktail-style set up including a lounge area and high tables accompanied by full service food stations and a fully equipped bar. The arrangement allowed for guests to mingle easily and to keep the dance floor busy. It worked!

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The best was that we were able to mingle with our friends and family at all times. We accomplished what we set out to do, which was to have everyone feel as if they were over at our house for one great dinner party.

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

Less is more. (But may not exactly cost less!)

Vendors:

Wedding Coordinator: Visions of Platinum and Garnet

Decor: Luxe Rentals

Caterer: Bodega Catering

Photography: PhotoTerra Studio

Flowers: Cool, Green and Shady

Strings: Wellington Music

Invitations: Laura K Designs