A little rain (okay, it poured!) didn’t dampen the spirits of Kelsey and Ian on their wedding day. Judging by the photos, the two drenched lovebirds provided their own sunshine with radiant smiles and warm, heartfelt hugs.

With only four people at their side – not to mention their dog (who decided to frolic in the mud during the ceremony), the two exchanged vows amidst the picturesque fall splendor of Roy H. Park Preserve in Ithaca, NY.

Kudos to Ashley from Photography Anthology for capturing this sweet, intimate ceremony so beautifully!

Kelsey, 25 & Ian, 31

Location: Ithaca, NY

Wedding Date: October 22, 2016

Number of Guests: 4 total people at the ceremony including the officiant and photographer (and our dog). 12 People total at the cider house and dinner afterwards

Wedding Cost:  ~$2,500

Wedding Ceremony Location: Roy H Park Reserve

Wedding Reception Location: Finger Lakes Cider House & Mia Restaurant

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

It was important to us for our ceremony to be very personal and private. To us, exchanging our vows was a personal commitment to one another and we didn’t want to feel like our commitment was a show for other people. It was about the two of us being honest and open and entering a new chapter of our life together.

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

There really weren’t many for us. Everyone was super flexible as we decided the date. It poured the day of the wedding, and normally it would have been stressful to try and decide what to do with a larger guest list. We woke up the morning of, ready to take on the day. Luckily the six of us were able to keep to the original plan and original location, despite the weather.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list? 

It was and it wasn’t. We basically decided to have the minimum amount of people at the ceremony for the wedding to be legal. For us, that meant we needed two witnesses. It was pretty easy for us to choose who they were. Our mutual friend who we met through was our officiant. Once that was done, there wasn’t much else guest list wise to worry about.

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

There was plenty of push back from people, especially family. But, once we explained why we wanted to have such a small ceremony and explained we’d be having a big party/reception in the spring for everyone, people’s minds were put to ease. Because there were so few people there, it made our decision about our photographer even more important. We wanted to have images we could share with those close to us who weren’t going to be there. Ashley didn’t disappoint. Once we got the photos, everyone was so excited to click through and relive the day with us which was really special.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

There are two that stick out to us. At one point during the ceremony, our dog started digging where we were standing. Our very white dog was then covered in very black dirt the rest of the day. We remember looking at each other and just laughing at the fact that we were in the middle of the woods, soaking wet but doing exactly what we had wanted. The other highlight was that we both included the same inside joke that we’ve had since early on in our relationship. We wrote our vows separately and neither one of us knew what the other had included. It was a perfect reassurance that we were made for each other.

What were the highlights of the reception?

Having a few friends and family come out afterwards was a great way to celebrate. We were walking around downtown Ithaca still in our wedding attire and it was a great time to share stories and relax. We are looking forward to celebrating with the rest of our friends and family sometime in 2017.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The best thing about having a small wedding was it was what we wanted. There was no pressure to do what others thought we should and we were able to enjoy each other and what that day meant to its full capacity. We were able to fully and completely ourselves and could truly enjoy the people who were there to celebrate. Because it did rain (we should probably say pour), it was a huge relief to not have to worry about where to put a larger group of people and if we were running right on schedule. All around, we were able to simply relax appreciate the significance of the day.

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

Consider what it is you want. If having a small ceremony is going to be less stressful and enjoyable for you both, then do that. Don’t let other people’s opinions of what your wedding should be make you do things you don’t see as a part of your big day. And enjoy every second. Even though you have more time to stop and look around with a smaller guest list, the day flies by.

Vendors: 

Photographer: Photography Anthology

Wedding Dress: Etsy (CarouselFashion)

Rings: Etsy (bride’s: twoperidotbirds, groom’s: 2ndstreetringcraft)

Flowers: Flower Fashions by Haring

Reception: Finger Lakes Cider House

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Australian couple, Hayley and Christian, wanted a wedding that was fun and stress-free. They also wanted their nuptials to focus on the commitment they were making towards each other, rather than extraneous details that can sometimes get in the way.

The perfect solution was an elegant elopement in New York City that included a breathtaking rooftop ceremony, followed by a celebration at a favorite NYC restaurant.

In the words of the bride: “We … had the flexibility to do it entirely as we wished, which made the whole experience feel very down to earth and true to us.”

A big thanks to wedding planner Assetou Gaudissard from New York Paris Connection for submitting this gorgeous elopement, and to Mademoiselle Fiona  for the stunning photos.

Hayley, 32 & Christian, 41

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Wedding Date: September 29, 2015

Number of Guests: 3

Wedding Cost: $30,000 (flights not included)

Wedding Ceremony Location: 620 Loft & Garden, New York

Wedding Reception Location: Serendipity3, New York

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We wanted to keep our wedding simple, stress free, and fun!  We had heard so many couples say their wedding day went so fast and their advice was to make sure take a moment to just enjoy it. We knew that an intimate wedding would be the answer to this, as it would allow us to focus on each other without too many distractions.

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

We didn’t face many challenges, however we did struggle with particular vendors when it came quantities for things.  Most vendors have a minimum quantity requirement for their service (chairs, invitations, cake etc.) With a small guest list some wouldn’t supply to us, or if they did, the costs would be very high.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Not at all, as we initially planned to keep the wedding a secret with only the two of us. We made sure that everyone felt welcome to come and join us, however we have lots of family and friends with young children and understood it would be challenging for them to attend.

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

We were fortunate to not have any expectations from our families as to how we should be married, so took advantage of that and did it our way.  Our immediate family thought it was a great idea, as we could keep the costs down and avoid any guest list dramas!  Most of our friends loved the idea, and commented that it sounded so fun, and they wished they could have had an intimate wedding too.

We wanted everyone to still feel like they were a part of it, so we had a website with photos from our trip, which included photos of the ceremony. Whilst we were still in New York, we also sent out announcement cards to our family and friends to let them know they were with us in our thoughts on the day.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Standing together on the rooftop, surrounded by the stunning backdrop of the city was breathtaking.  It’s impossible to not feel the awe of how far we’d come to be there in that moment.  Also at the end of our ceremony, as our celebrant announced “I now pronounce you husband and wife”, the bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral began ringing! It was magical moment!

Another highlight were the New Yorkers. We had been told New Yorkers love a good wedding, and how true it is! Everywhere we went strangers would stop and congratulate us and wish us well… it really added to the buzz of the day!

What were the highlights of the reception?

Being able to relax and soak it all in. It was warm and casual, just perfect.  Serendipity is classic New York, and holds a special place in our hearts, as it’s where Christian proposed.  Other highlights included enjoying some jazz music at the Gramercy Park Hotel and finishing the night with our guests in our suite eating pizza and cake, and drinking champagne.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The simplicity, as it allowed us to be present and enjoy every moment.  We also had the flexibility to do it entirely as we wished, which made the whole experience feel very down to earth and true to us.

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

My advice would be to make sure you know who your vendors are, Skype them or meet them beforehand, several times if necessary, to get to know them and if their personality suits yours. Without a large number of guests, their energy will be crucial to the dynamic on the day. We cannot express enough, our gratitude and love for our vendors. They were each so genuine, caring and talented.  They really felt like friends, it was perfect!

Vendors:

Wedding Planner: New York Paris Connection

Photographer: Mademoiselle Fiona

Cake: Lael Cakes

Hair & Make up: Kerry-Lou Brehm

Flowers: Agnes De Villarson

Celebrant: Barbara Ann Michaels

Car: The Checker Guy

Rentals: Patina Rentals

Wedding Dress: Collette Dinnigan, Gucci

Shoes: Gucci, Manolo Blahnik

Bridal headpiece: Silvana Tedesco Couture

Groom Attire: Tuxedo jacket – Carbone Master Tailors

Groom Shoes: Yves Saint Laurent

Groom’s Ring: Dexter Seal Rings

Announcement cards: Paper & Parcel

Vow books: Noteworthy Designs

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One of the best things about having an intimate wedding is that you can get creative with your venue choices. Instead of being confined to halls, country clubs and big ol’ event spaces, you can get married at small inns, galleries – and museums, like the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre in Gormley, Ontario.

Home to several heritage buildings that are nestled in a serene park setting, the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre provides a gorgeous backdrop for a rustic wedding. Historic buildings on site include the Bogarttown Schoolhouse (1857), the Vandorf Public Schoolhouse (1870), the Pioneer era Log Cabin (c.1850), a Victorian Farmhouse (1857) and an historic Barn.

Your ceremony can take place in the courtyard located in front of the beautiful red brick Victorian Farmhouse, or inside the Log Cabin or Barn. If you’re interested in the amenities that come with a modern facility, you’ll be happy to know that you can also get married inside the venue’s main hall. The hall, which can accommodate up to 100 people, is spacious with lots of natural light, a gas fireplace and kitchen facilities. With a main hall booking, the outdoor ceremony site is included.

The staff at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & CC will work with you every step of the way during the planning process of your intimate wedding.

Want to learn more about having your wedding at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & CC? Go here.

Photos: Tami McInnis Photography

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When Nicole and Jabari first got engaged, the couple dreamed of a magical destination wedding in Turks and Caicos. As the costs starting adding up, however, the couple were forced to rethink their plans. At first, they simply chose to relocate the wedding to a more affordable destination, settling on Mexico instead. But when the decision to settle wasn’t sitting well with either of them – it felt like too big a compromise for the cost – they opted to save themselves the money and the hassle by having a small winter wedding at the courthouse in Maryland.

Filled to capacity with their loved ones, the bride and groom’s courthouse ceremony was a no frills affair and a far cry from the tropical wedding they had envisioned. Stripped of expectations and unimportant details, however, Nicole and Jabari’s wedding day was more honest and more beautiful than they could have ever imagined!

Special thanks to Lindsay Anne Dransfield for sharing Nicole and Jabari’s intimate and special day with us.

Nicole, 31 & Jabari, 42

Location: Hyattsville, MD 

Wedding Date: February 4, 2016 

Number of Guests: 50 

Wedding Cost: I honestly didn’t keep track of costs, but I believe it was under $6,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Annapolis Courthouse 

Wedding Reception Location: Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Why did you have an intimate wedding?  

Before Jabari and I got engaged, we knew that we wanted to have a destination wedding. We had a lot of ideas in the works, and we knew our dream location: one of the pristine beaches in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The more we tallied up the costs, however, the less confident we became in asking such a tall order from our friends and family.  

We scratched the idea of Turks and Caicos and settled on a beautiful location in Mexico that would be easier to travel to and more affordable for our guests with children. Notice I said settled. While the resort was excellent, it felt like we were compromising so much of who we were for this wedding. It no longer felt like it was about us, and that got to be too much for me. 

I’m a communications and marketing professional who spends a lot of time event planning and on Pinterest, so I thought planning our wedding would be just as fun as my day-to-day job. Now that it was our money, however, every detail was just another price tag instead of a joyous experience. In the end, I turned to Jabari and said, “let’s scratch this and elope”.

Rather than spending the $25,000 on a one-time event, we thought about what we wanted out of our union together – becoming debt free, spending time traveling and experiencing new things with our family and friends, and building wealth for our future generations. 

So we decided to have a winter courthouse wedding followed by a summer party where we could invite more people. Once we put our desires in perspective, the wedding planning process became much easier for us.

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

What led to most of our wedding challenges were our expectations of vendors and people. The vendor we selected to deliver our wedding day flowers strayed so far off track from the inspiration we provided that it was mind-blowing. Luckily, my good friend has a knack for floral arrangements and came to the rescue. 

Secondly, our guest list ballooned because people either did not RSVP on time or some added in “plus ones” – which is even more of a headache when you’re planning a smaller wedding and every seat counts. If someone couldn’t make it to the wedding, we could think of at least two other friends or family members that we’d want to be there. Jabari would remind me that none of this mattered as long as he and I were present for the ceremony (Did I mention how much of a saint this guy is?).

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Absolutely! Jabari and I both come from large, blended families, so it goes without saying that keeping our list to a minimum was incredibly hard. We aimed at having a guest list of 30 people due to the space restrictions of the courthouse, but that quickly went out the window. In the end, we wound up with about 50 of our closest friends and family in a jam-packed room. It was an amazing feeling to look out and see all their smiling faces. 

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

We had more than a few gripes from friends and family who we weren’t able to attend the wedding. Once we explained that this was the best process for us, however, they warmed up a bit. Also, we just had to be okay with the fact that it is impossible to please everyone.

What was surprising, however, was when family members would applaud our decision to have an intimate wedding. Some even exclaimed that they wish they had kept their own ceremony simple. 

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

To be honest, this day went by so fast, and I was so nervous, most of it was a blur. I remember speaking to Jabari on the way to the courthouse, feeling all eyes on me as I walked in, talking with my friends and family, and chiding myself for forgetting my flask at home. I see now why people have drinks before the wedding ceremony. 

Once it was time for our wedding to begin, our family and friends filled the room, and Jabari and I had a few moments alone before the ceremony. We laughed and talked, and it was a beautiful, calming reminder of why we were there. This ceremony was just a formality; we are committed to one another, so I pressed on with my nerves in shambles while staring into his eyes the entire 10 minutes of the ceremony!  

What were the highlights of the reception?

During our scrumptious dinner, we got a chance to work the room and talk with all our guests; we had a blast. 

During the toasts, we asked for advice on marriage. A dear friend told us, “You can be right, or you can be married,” and to this day, we both still recall this mantra when we are having discussions. Marriage is about compromise, and having this sage advice at the start of the real work was more than appreciated. 

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The best part about an intimate wedding is that it is the surefire way to put your personal stamp on the event. When we shed all the expectations and assumptions, we stood before our friends and family exactly as we were in our real, waking lives. It was an honest, beautiful experience for us.  

Also, the cost savings. Waking up and looking at our debt would’ve been entirely different if we did a full-blown destination wedding. The investment in a day in which most people forget the details that you painstakingly worked on should be something that you’re comfortable with when it’s all said and done. 

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

I believe it takes courage to have an intimate wedding because you are essentially going against the grain of culture; and sometimes even going against your family. So we’d tell couples who are considering this route three things: 

1. Focus on your partner: Make sure that you are both on the same page for your wedding and that you’re not letting your friends and family commandeer your day, your budget, or your guest list. Trust me on this one. Everyone will have input and thoughts; it’s just their misguided excitement and sometimes selfishness (Don’t believe me? Just read Wedding Wire or The Knot forums). Do what makes the two of you all happy, and stick with that. 

2. Invest in photography/videography: No matter your budget, your wedding day will breeze by, and even as you try to savor the exact moments, all you’ll have left are the memories. If you’re going to splurge on one thing, let it be the photographs and video; this is the only token you’ll have left of the big day. It’s six months after our wedding, and we still flip through our photos. 

3. Start planning early: Even though it’s a much smaller party, people still procrastinate with proper responses. So as not to introduce unwanted stress into your lives, lock down as much as you can ahead of time. That way, you won’t feel as rushed in making decisions that could impact your budget. 

Vendors:  

Cake: Kupcakes & Co. 

Dress & Shoes: Macy’s 

Announcements and Decorations: Life Long Media 

Bride’s Accessories: Etsy & Ebay

Bride’s Rings: Brilliant Earth 

Groom’s Ring: Zachary’s Jewelers   

Groom’s Tuxedo & Shoes: Jos. A Banks 

Photography: Lindsay Anne Dransfield for Sarah Culver Photography

Flowers: Aisha Fross Designs

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