Wanting to showcase everything that Tasmania has to offer, including its fine wines, fantastic food, and pristine landscape, Rachael and Travers chose to have an intimate wedding so they could afford to splurge a little on the details that were important to them. Going for a relaxed cocktail party in the backyard type of vibe, the couple exchanged their vows at the Avalon Coastal Retreat – a clifftop venue overlooking the east coast of Tasmania – and celebrated with a fun filled reception full of outdoor games and heartfelt speeches, before being sent off under a sea of sparklers and smiling faces to start their lives together as husband and wife.

A huge thank you to Cassie Sullivan for generously sharing all the gorgeous photos with us today!

Rachael & Travers

Swansea, East Coast Tasmania

Wedding Date: November 29, 2014

Number of Guests: 54

Wedding Ceremony Location: Avalon Coastal Retreat

Wedding Reception Location: Avalon Coastal Retreat

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We both agreed that we would prefer to have an intimate gathering where we could make our way around to all of our guests. We just wanted it to feel like a relaxed cocktail party in the backyard. We also wanted the focus to be on fine wine, good food and the venue, so we spent a little more on those aspects.

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

We are based in Melbourne which is an hour’s flight from Tasmania and a 1.5 hours’ drive to our wedding venue which made it difficult as we had to plan every aspect from afar. It was my parents who initially saw our venue and were able to report back that it was as good as the photographs we’d seen online. It was hard not being able to meet a lot of our vendors in person, but luckily they were all absolute superstars and those that we did meet suited us to a tee with their laid back friendly nature.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

I come from a very small family with a lot of family and friends based overseas in the UK where I lived for many years so I already had lower numbers than Trav! Trav is a lot more discerning and was quickly able to manage his numbers effectively so we had an even number from both sides.

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

We didn’t hear of any issues with our small guest list! Perhaps we were protected from that by our family.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Rachael – It was a very cold day, but I felt so warm the minute I stood at the altar opposite Trav. We wrote our own vows and seeing his face filled with emotion as I read mine meant a lot to me as he is normally a very matter-of-fact guy!

Trav – Watching Rachael walk down the aisle was a definite highlight for me!

What were the highlights of the reception?

Definitely the speeches. So much thought went into them and they were really funny and emotional. The night ran very smoothly and everything just fell into place; we could not have asked for a better time. In the end as we were leaving, our guests gathered outside with sparklers and we walked under a sea of sparklers and smiling faces to our car – that was really special.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

We wanted to showcase everything Tassie has to offer including its fresh food, wine and pristine location which was brought alive by having it on a clifftop on the East Coast of Tasmania. The venue was just the right size for an intimate wedding of this nature.

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

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. No matter how small and intimate your wedding is, there is still a lot of work to be done – particularly if you are having a DIY style of wedding. We had a lot of family hands on deck in the days and nights leading up to our big day helping us set up the venue and of course pack it all down again the next day!

We only allowed ourselves 6 months to plan the perfect wedding, which to most would seem like such a short amount of time, but it meant that we made decisions quickly without second guessing anything…and in our eyes, our wedding turned out absolutely perfectly.

Vendors:

Photography: Cassie Sullivan

Hair and Make-up: Lara Poppe

Styling: Poppy Tom Vintage Treasure and Horri Peacock Vintage Wares

Prop Hire: Salters Hire

Flowers: Milkbud

Stationery/Paper Goods: The Print Fairy

Celebrant: Kay Haward

Music: Alan Gogoll

Catering: Pickled Pear

Cake: Queen of Tarts

Favors: Designer Wedding Candy

Rings: Charles Rose for Bride and Groom

Macramé may have had its heyday back in the 70’s, but boho brides everywhere are bringing back this knotty trend in a big way. We can’t really say that we blame them, and we’ve rounded up 10 gorgeous examples that we think will have you hopping on the macramé bandwagon right along with us!

This stunning backdrop is both rustic and elegant, and modern with a bit of vintage flare to it.

We often see macramé pieces using natural, undyed threads and fibres, but we love the idea of customizing your macramé wall hanging to match your wedding colors, whether by dip dying the entire piece or using different colored cords.

Chunky knots and flowers work perfectly here to add a rustic, natural element to an industrial urban space.

If a finer, more lace-like look is what you’re after, however, this delicate curtain makes a beautiful addition to an outdoor altar on the beach.

Macramé was hugely popular and widely used for plant hangers in the 70’s and are a great way to showcase another popular wedding trend these days, hanging centerpieces.

We’re not sure how practical this hanging macramé cake holder is, but it sure looks good!

Macramé doesn’t need to hang to be beautiful! This knotted table runner has us absolutely swooning!

Last, but not least, if you’re looking to add just a touch of macramé to your decor scheme, a few knotted candle holders across your tablescape are a beautifully subtle way to do just that.

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We are sea glass crazy here at IW, and today we’ve rounded up ten stunning sea glass jewelry finds from Etsy. Give the jewelry to your bridesmaids, or wear it on your wedding day. We can’t think of anything more perfect for a beach wedding, can you?

One way to get something to match for all of your bridesmaids is to choose one kind of stone, like sea glass. These sea glass initial necklaces by BeachCoveJewelry include a sterling silver initial and a Swarovski charm for a personal and special gift.

These bridesmaid’s sea glass necklaces by IslandGirlCanada are made from sea glass collected around Vancouver Island. The sea foam, turquoise and blue colors are delicate, elegant and versatile for your girls to wear for the wedding or as everyday jewelry.

Like when you put your ear up to a sea shell, sea glass evokes memories and essences of a certain place in the world. This sea glass necklace by SunshineDayDesigns is reversible and includes genuine sea glass from Puerto Rico.

Each sea glass piece is made a little different, so you know you will be getting something slightly different like this sea glass necklace by lacylauragray.

The pieces of sea glass on this sea glass necklace by ShardsbyTania are shaped into a petal. This would be a stunning statement piece for a boho bride on her wedding day.

The different colors of sea glass are made by the sun’s reaction to the glass, which also sometimes gives it an “etched” look. This sea glass pendant necklace by thestrandline is slightly frosted and set in sterling silver.

Turquoise sea glass like the one on this sea glass anklet by seaglassdesign is quite rare. Sea glass varieties depend on the colors of bottles and glass that were originally discarded, so you can’t be that picky when you’re searching for it. These anklets would be a nice gift to your bridesmaids for a beach-themed or destination bachelorette weekend or wedding.

We love how the shapes on these sea glass drop earrings by ShardsbyTania are all slightly different. Because sea glass is made from “found” materials, all of the glass has a story behind it. You could even give sea glass jewelry to your Mother or Mother-in-law to wear at the wedding.

The colors of sea glass are all soothing and serene colors that have that feeling of being carried by waves. These sea glass earrings by DriftInJewelry have a natural beautiful look.

The glass from this blue sea glass bracelet by BeckyMorgans originally came from a Victorian glass factory in the early 1900s and then was eventually turned into sea glass. Instead of a necklace for your wedding look, go for a statement bracelet like this one.

*This post includes Etsy Affiliate links.

Not big fans of crowds or being the centre of attention, Pam and Abir didn’t want to spend months and months planning a large wedding that would make them feel uncomfortable. They chose instead to have a small, stress-free wedding at their home in Toronto, planning the entire thing in just a month. With a simple backyard ceremony, a confetti celebration, and dinner catered by their favorite restaurants right in their own dining room, the couple celebrated their nuptials in the best way they could possibly imagine, at home with their family and a few close friends.

Special thanks to Nikki Mills for sharing all the fun photos from Pam and Abir’s backyard wedding with us!

Pamela, 29 & Abir 30

Toronto, ON Canada

Wedding Date: September 21, 2014

Number of Guests: 18

Wedding Cost: ~$3,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Backyard

Wedding Reception Location: Main Floor of house (inside)

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We decided that it was best to celebrate the occasion with our closest family (and a few friends). We are generally a couple that doesn’t love big crowds and all the attention associated with large weddings. We wanted to be able to have a chance to speak to every one of our guests.

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

Our wedding was stress free! Which is also a reason why we wanted to have an intimate wedding. It took about one month to plan the event. All we had to do was find an officiant, distribute our hand written invitations, order food from our favorite Chinese and Indian restaurants (Dumpling House on Spadina and Mother India in Parkdale), buy wedding bands, a simple white dress (Judith & Charles) and find a great photographer (Nikki Mills!). The only small challenge was the guest list, even for a wedding of under 20 guests.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

We wanted to keep it to our in-town family members only. My list of family guests, however, far exceeded Abir’s family that was in Toronto. To even out the guest list, Abir invited his closest family friends and two of his best friends from high school and elementary school.

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

Some of my close friends expressed that they wanted to be at the wedding, especially after we had decided that Abir’s two best childhood friends would be invited. Overall, my friends were very understanding of the situation – one of my good friends had a small wedding two years prior and many of them are hoping to have small weddings in the future.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

The day started with heavy rain, which put a damper on all our plans since we were hoping for an outdoor event in our small backyard. The forecast called for rain the entire day. By the time we headed out for photos, the rain cleared up and the sun was shining! Our families helped move the chairs and décor and we were able to have our ceremony outside. It was a beautiful day! My mom was emotional, which we had expected after my two sisters’ weddings! Everyone, including my sister’s dog Boris, enjoyed the confetti celebration at the end of the ceremony.

What were the highlights of the reception?

The highlight of the reception was the fact that we were able to spend time with each and every one of our guests – something that is difficult at large weddings.

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 guest! We were also able to make it very personable, making memories in our new home, incorporating DIY décor, and even incorporating our favorite neighborhood spots in our photos.

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

It was definitely a good decision that we do not regret! It was a memorable event without the months of work and planning, and it was very affordable.

Vendors:

Bride’s Makeup: Sam Lee

Dress: Judith & Charles

Wedding Rings: Landmark Jeweler

Officiant: All Seasons Wedding (Marjorie Bain)

Chinese Food: Dumpling House

Indian Food: Mother India

Flower Arrangements & Décor: Done by the bride

Groom’s Outfit: Zara

Photographer: Nikki Mills

Invitations: Handwritten invites on blank cards from Target

Carolyn and Jocelyn dreamed of an elopement in the woods, but with both brides being extremely close to their mothers, they knew in their hearts that this wasn’t really an option. Instead, they settled on the next best thing; a wedding ceremony in the redwood forest of Big Sur with just nine of their most cherished loved ones. By including all of their guests in the planning and execution of their intimate celebration, they imbued their entire wedding weekend with a true sense of community, and left with their hearts brimming with more love than they could have ever possibly imagined.

A huge thank you to the ladies at Rad + In Love for being on hand to document Caroline and Jocelyn’s intimate celebration and for sharing it with us all today!

Jocelyn, 27 & Caroline, 27

Big Sur, CA

Wedding Date: August 16, 2014

Number of Guests: 11

Wedding Cost: $10,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Deetjen’s Big Sur

Reception Location: Deetjen’s Big Sur

Why did you have an intimate wedding? 

At some point early in our planning process we were forming a rudimentary guest list that hovered between 60-80 people. For some people, this itself would be considered intimate, but one half of this partnership (me) is a sweet little socially anxious introvert. When I admitted to my darling that the thought of attending this (my own) wedding made me sweat, she very kindly and excitedly suggest we re-approach our strategy. Of course, we instinctively thought about the opposite – an elopement! In the forest! But the two of us are hopelessly close with our mothers, and our best friend, and, we ultimately (thankfully) settled on a perfectly select group of our dearests, consisting of parents, brothers, and be sties for a grand total of 9 guests. Having an intimate wedding “felt right” in a few essential ways. It aligned with our politics, which place value on the small and utilizing the talents and gifts of those around us instead of relying on a myriad of outside professionals. We had the luxury of picking and choosing traditions to adapt for our purposes, and which ones to scrap, without needing to explain or justify our choices to a host of backseat drivers. Being surrounded only by people who love us unconditionally and know us intimately created a feeling of unmistakable and indelible closeness. Our wedding was as much for our guests as it was for us. This was something we all made together and experienced together.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list? 

Not as difficult as one might expect. When you set the criteria as “people who you’d want in the room with you while you’re having a baby or dying”, being selective comes naturally. Our worlds are full of people whom we love and know at different levels, and for those folks, there were a couple of post-nuptial dinners and parties that satisfied everyone’s desire to celebrate. These smaller celebrations allowed us to connect more closely with our lovies than I’m sure we would have been able to at a larger wedding. Everyone wins!

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

We certainly got the requisite ribbings and pouty faces from various friends and grandparents and aunties, but everyone was ultimately understanding. To an extent, I think we benefited from the queer card! When your choice of partnership is thought of as “unconventional”, people are less surprised and are more willing to accept when your other decisions flout social convention. No one is surprised that Jocelyn and I do things our way. Also, I have a suspicion that when your guest list hovers around 20-30, people may have an easier time feeling left out. Nine, on the other hand, is as big as some people’s immediate families. It’s smaller than a sports team, and it’s fewer employees than the average coffee shop. It’s hard to have hard feelings about not having given birth to us or seen us through the horrors of high school.

What were the highlights of the ceremony? 

The unparalleled natural beauty which surrounded us created the perfect environment for everyone to “get their heads right” about the commitment Jocelyn and I were making to each other and to the people around us. And, of course, everyone’s participation is what made it the loving community experience that it was. My brother lead everyone to our ceremony area playing acoustic Angel Olsen covers on guitar; each of our mothers read original poetry; our ceremony was officiated by our often hilarious and always thoughtful verbal genius friend; and our rings were presented to us by our dearest friend and compound-mate. All this was captured in gorgeously edited video curated for us by Jocelyn’s brothers.

What were the highlights of the reception? 

After a delicious Deetjen’s dinner colored by laughter and crying and breathtaking toasts (the kind with champagne, though the bread was also scrumptious), we all caravaned back to our largest cabin which had been decorated with tiny homemade streamers, candles, and paper Martha Stewart flower-balls. After we danced with our Mamas and Papas and each other, we cranked up the ol’ iPod to my labor of love, a playlist entitled “homo trax”, and got raucous. Feverish and joy-filled dancing ensued, followed by the most emotionally satisfying gift-giving session we could imagine. By the end of the night, each of us were exhausted and too excited to sleep, our hearts brimming, not believing our good fortunes.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding? 

It’s hard to say unequivocally because it’s the only wedding we’ve ever had or plan on having, but I’m willing to bet that a lot of the emotional gratification we got from our amazing weekend in the forest with our dearest hearts  directly correlates with its smallness. The morning of our wedding, we took a big group hike and ate deli sandwiches, and then leisurely got ready together. We had nothing to worry about, no relatives we had to keep separated, no one to impress. Despite excited heart flutters before and while we made our commitment, we spent the weekend feeling utterly relaxed with people we love, in one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been. We didn’t break the bank, and our guests began inquiring about a reunion before we’d even left.

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

Try to be really honest with yourself and your partner about how you want your wedding to feel, how you want the six months leading up to it to feel, and what memories you want to associate with it. Don’t be afraid to do things your own way. Evaluate your hopes and desires and those of your partner, consider your values, have an imagination, be realistic about your resources, and use this as a creative outlet. Choose your own adventure!

Vendors:

Photography: Rad + In Love

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn

Bride’s Dress: BCBG Max Azria

Succulent Earrings: Mani Designs

Pre-wedding Makeup Tutorials: Lorraine of Just Skin

Bride’s Shirt: All Saints

Bride’s Pants: Gap

Jocelyn’s Ring: 1910’s Art Deco Vintage

Caroline’s Ring: Custom Designed by Jocelyn (and made by a now-retired jeweler)

Succulent Arrangements: Caroline’s Mom, Stephanie

Videography: Jocelyn’s brothers, Jake and Josh

Ceremony Music: Angel Olsen, performed by Caroline’s brother, Joe

iPod DJ Services: Caroline

Officiant: Gay genius, Cary